Going to Russia? That’s what U.S. President Donald Trump said during a recent speech — even though his planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to take place in Alaska.
The remark quickly went viral, with social media users mocking what they saw as a clear slip-up. Some joked about Trump’s geography skills, while others questioned his mental sharpness.
The White House later tried to downplay the gaffe, suggesting he may have been referring to a potential future trip to Russia — but no such trip has been confirmed.
For Trump, this isn’t the first verbal misstep to draw attention. In recent months, he has mixed up names of officials, confused public figures, and sparked similar debates about his ability to stay on message.
The Alaska comment, however, stood out because it came just days before a high-profile meeting with Putin, a relationship that has long attracted intense scrutiny in U.S. politics.
So when Trump said “I’m going to Russia,” it wasn’t just another off-the-cuff moment — it became a talking point that followed him far beyond the stage.
This story was originally published on https://www.dw.com/ and is republished here with permission.
