It started as a question about world peace—but somehow ended like a middle school argument.
What should’ve been a routine press inquiry about U.S. foreign policy turned into one of the strangest White House exchanges in recent memory.
Reporters were trying to get clarity on President Donald Trump’s decision to hold his next meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest.
But the answers that came out of the White House weren’t exactly diplomatic—they were downright childish.
Reporters Ask Serious Questions, White House Fires Back With “Your Mom”
When HuffPost correspondent S.V. Dáte reached out for an official explanation about why Budapest had been chosen as the summit’s location, he didn’t expect to get a taunt in return.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt replied with just three words: “Your mom did.”
Moments later, communications director Steven Cheung joined in with an even shorter echo of the same remark—“Your mom.”
The bizarre responses were confirmed by HuffPost and quickly spread across social media, drawing backlash from both sides of the political spectrum.
Critics called it “embarrassingly juvenile” for officials representing the highest office in the country.
Why Budapest Is Stirring Up Debate
The reporter’s question wasn’t exactly inflammatory—it was about symbolism. Budapest isn’t just any European capital.
It’s the city tied to the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, a historic agreement where Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons in exchange for Russia’s promise to respect its borders.
That promise, of course, was shattered years later when Putin annexed Crimea in 2014 and launched a full-scale invasion in 2022.
So, Trump’s decision to hold peace talks there—of all places—raised eyebrows in diplomatic circles.
Trump’s Big Announcement on Truth Social
Just a day before the spat, Trump had announced on Truth Social that he and Putin would soon meet in Budapest “to see if we can bring this inglorious war between Russia and Ukraine to an end.”
According to Trump, the two leaders had already shared what he called a “very productive” phone conversation.
He even said Putin congratulated him on achieving “Great Peace in the Middle East,” suggesting that success could help pave the way toward ending the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe.
A Team of Negotiators and a Controversial Host City
Trump added that both sides had agreed to send “high-level advisors” to start preparatory talks, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expected to lead the American delegation.
While no official date has been set, Trump said the main summit would take place in Budapest in the coming weeks—a choice that continues to raise concerns.
Critics point to Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a close ally of Putin and a staunch supporter of Trump, calling the selection of Budapest “politically loaded” and “deeply inappropriate” for peace talks.
Trump Meets Zelensky Amid Peace Push
Adding to the political theater, Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday.
During their meeting, Trump suggested he was hesitant to sell long-range Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv, despite pushing for an end to the war.
“I have an obligation to make sure we’re completely stocked up as a country, because you never know what’s going to happen in war and peace,” he told reporters.
“We’d much rather have them not need Tomahawks. We’d much rather have the war be over.”
“Let Both Claim Victory”: Trump’s Unorthodox Peace Proposal
Later, in another Truth Social post, Trump outlined his vision for peace in his usual dramatic style.
“Enough blood has been shed, with property lines being defined by War and Guts,” he wrote.
“They should stop where they are. Let both claim Victory, let History decide!”
Zelensky, speaking to reporters afterward, didn’t reject Trump’s idea outright but stopped short of endorsing an immediate halt to the war.
“The president is right we have to stop where we are, and then to speak,” he said, hinting at a willingness to negotiate but also a hesitation to freeze the current frontlines.
What Comes Next?
With both Washington and Kyiv expressing cautious openness to dialogue—and with Budapest now set to host one of the most scrutinized meetings in years—the world will be watching to see if Trump’s unconventional diplomacy can achieve what years of war have not.
But after the “Your mom” fiasco, one thing’s for sure: the White House’s communication strategy may need as much fine-tuning as its foreign policy.