Post Reports Trump's peacemaking dreams and D.C. pizza party
16 snips
Aug 22, 2025 
Cat Zakrzewski, White House reporter for The Washington Post, and Michael Birnbaum, a seasoned White House correspondent, dissect President Trump's claims of ending multiple wars, focusing on the stalled peace efforts in Ukraine. They evaluate the effectiveness of Trump's personal diplomacy with leaders like Putin and Zelensky and analyze the challenges of his federal policing strategies in D.C. The conversation highlights the complicated intersection of crime, politics, and public perception in the nation's capital.
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Rose Garden Playlist Moment
- Reporters got an impromptu Rose Garden tour and heard President Trump testing a playlist that included Elvis and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
- Cat Zakrzewski and Michael Birnbaum described the moment when "God Bless the USA" blasted and reporters were escorted outside.
High Drama, Little Progress On Ukraine
- After heavy diplomacy, Michael Birnbaum found little substantive progress toward Ukraine peace despite high-profile meetings.
- He concluded Trump wanted a Putin–Zelensky meeting, but that outcome looks unlikely soon.
Russian Pushback Undermines Promises
- Cat Zakrzewsk noted announced security guarantees and European boots-on-the-ground were met with sharp Russian pushback.
- She said Lavrov publicly cast doubt on terms Russia would accept, undermining Trump's claims of breakthroughs.