During a meeting at the White House, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump found themselves unexpectedly exploring Trump’s collection of hats.
In a departure from Zelenskyy’s previous visit to America for discussions with Trump in February, this time the Ukrainian leader was given the opportunity to view Trump’s personal array of accessories.
Zelenskyy was at the White House last week to engage in talks about Ukraine’s future and the ongoing war with Russia, following a meeting between Trump and Vladimir Putin.
Before meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump offered two potential resolutions for Ukraine’s conflict with Russia through a post on Truth Social: “President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight.”
He further commented: “Remember how it started. No getting back Obama given Crimea (12 years ago, without a shot being fired!), and NO GOING INTO NATO BY UKRAINE. Some things never change!!!”
European leaders such as NATO secretary general Mark Rutte, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, British prime minister Keir Starmer, German chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, Finnish president Alexander Stubb, and French president Emmanuel Macron gathered to deliberate on the future.
Following their meeting, Trump eagerly invited Zelenskyy and Macron to view his extensive hat collection.
A photo of this display circulated on social media, shared by Special Assistant to the President and Communications Advisor Margo Martin, leading some to describe it as ‘a guided tour of the Presidential Hat Museum’.
The image on X depicts Zelenskyy examining a wall filled with red and white MAGA caps and other merchandise, while Trump shows him a ‘4 more years’ hat, associated with his supporters’ calls for another presidential bid.
However, the 22nd Amendment prevents anyone from serving more than two terms as president.
Zelenskyy and Macron aren’t the only visitors to have seen Trump’s MAGA merchandise.
Azerbaijan president Ilham Aliyev also viewed Trump’s hats, including a contentious ‘Trump 2028’ hat, during his White House visit earlier this month.
The New York Post reports that world leaders and Trump’s fervent supporters are often encouraged to take souvenirs from the collection.
“Some people leave with bags of stuff,” noted one source.
The room originally served as a private study.
One X user remarked: “Imagine if Churchill went to the US during WW2, trying to defend against a shared opponent.. And they stopped for a merch flex break!”
Another jested: “Imagine flying across the ocean just to see a closet of red hats.”
A comment read: “The White House exit is through the gift shop.”
After the meeting, Zelenskyy described it as ‘really good’, and even called it ‘the best’ so far.
He stated: “We are very happy with the president that all the leaders are here and security in Ukraine depends on the United States and on you and on those leaders who are with us in our hearts.”