Trump Derangement Syndrome is alive and well. But this administration is done putting up with it.
And now Marco Rubio laid down the law on the mainstream media for this major lie.
Rubio and Witkoff Slam Politico’s Sanctions Report as Baseless Fiction
In a fiery rebuttal, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff have categorically denied a Politico report alleging they discussed easing sanctions on Russian energy assets. The duo labeled the anonymously sourced story “totally fictitious” and “fake crap,” igniting a broader clash with the outlet over its credibility.
“This is false,” Rubio and Witkoff declared in a joint White House statement.
“Neither of us have had any conversations about lifting sanctions on Russia as part of a peace deal with Ukraine. This is just totally fictitious and irresponsible reporting from Politico, a fifth-rate publication. If they have an ounce of journalistic integrity, they will fully retract this piece of fiction.”
The Politico article, published Thursday, cited “five people familiar with the discussions” claiming Witkoff was a “main proponent” of lifting sanctions, including those on Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
It further suggested Rubio was at odds with such efforts, highlighting tensions between U.S. energy export advocates and those seeking better relations with Russia. A Politico spokesperson, however, stood firm, insisting the outlet’s reporting was accurate.
Political Allies Rally Against Politico’s Claims
The report drew swift condemnation from prominent figures. “There isn’t even a kernel of truth to this story – Politico was played by their ‘sources’ yet again,” Witkoff posted on X. “It’s embarrassing that they print this type of fake crap.”
Donald Trump Jr. echoed the sentiment, blasting the outlet on X: “More bulls— from the liars at Politico smearing Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff with pure fake news. How do they get away with continuing to run these fake stories????”
Utah GOP Sen. Mike Lee took a pointed jab, writing, “I hope Politico has good defamation insurance coverage. Or maybe I don’t.”
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly piled on, calling Politico a “C-rated tabloid, fraught with poor sourcing and a TDS epidemic, pretending to be serious news.” She dismissed the story as one of “many pathetic tall tales” debunked by facts.
Energy and Peace Talks at a Crossroads
The controversy unfolds against the backdrop of delicate U.S.-led negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict, where energy remains a pivotal issue.
Sanctions on Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline, first imposed under the Trump administration, were briefly lifted by President Joe Biden before being reinstated following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Recent proposals reportedly include U.S. control over Ukraine’s nuclear plants and natural gas pipelines to offset military aid costs.
Tensions in the talks have escalated. A U.S.-brokered truce preventing attacks on energy infrastructure recently collapsed, and Vice President JD Vance warned that the U.S. could abandon ceasefire efforts without a deal. President Trump, in a Truth Social post, criticized Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for rejecting Crimea’s annexation as part of a resolution. “We are very close to a Deal, but the man with ‘no cards to play’ should now, finally, GET IT DONE,” Trump said.
As the White House navigates these high-stakes discussions, Rubio and Witkoff’s clash with Politico underscores the fraught intersection of diplomacy, energy policy, and media scrutiny. Fox News Digital’s request for White House comment went unanswered by publication time.
