The Trump White House doesn’t have time for the media’s deceitful tactics. That’s why they’re fighting back.
And the Trump administration slams this Leftist news outlet for spreading a dangerous lie.
Rubio and Witkoff Bash Politico Report on Russian Sanctions as Pure Fiction
In a fiery rebuke, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff have categorically denied a Politico report suggesting they discussed lifting sanctions on Russian energy assets. The duo labeled the anonymously sourced article “totally fictitious” and “fake crap,” igniting a heated clash with the outlet over its claims.
Politico’s Thursday report, citing unnamed White House insiders, alleged that Rubio and Witkoff were exploring the possibility of easing energy-related sanctions as part of peace talks to resolve the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The article specifically pointed to Witkoff as a “main proponent” of lifting restrictions on Russian energy assets, including the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, a critical conduit for natural gas to Europe. It also suggested Rubio was working to block such moves, highlighting tensions between advocates of U.S. energy exports and those seeking warmer relations with Russia.
Rubio and Witkoff swiftly issued a joint White House statement, dismissing the story as baseless. “This is false,” they declared. “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.”
This is unequivocally false.
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) April 24, 2025
Neither Steve Witkoff nor I have had any conversations about lifting sanctions against Russia as part of a deal with Ukraine.
This is journalistic malpractice. If @POLITICO has an ounce of integrity they will fully retract this piece of fiction. pic.twitter.com/AoYFz7wWLA
Witkoff doubled down in a separate statement on his X account, asserting, “There isn’t even a kernel of truth to this story – Politico was played by their ‘sources’ yet again. It’s embarrassing that they print this type of fake crap.”
“There isn't even a kernel of truth to this story - Politico was played by their "sources" yet again. It's embarrassing that they print this type of fake crap.”
— Office of the Special Envoy to the Middle East (@SE_MiddleEast) April 24, 2025
-Ambassador Witkoff https://t.co/vZm155LnDa
The backlash didn’t stop there. Donald Trump Jr. took to X, blasting the report as “More bulls— from the liars at Politico smearing Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff with pure fake news.” Utah Senator Mike Lee chimed in, quipping, “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” plagued by “poor sourcing and a TDS epidemic,” accusing its reporters of chasing “pathetic tall tales” over facts.
The controversy swirls around sanctions on Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline, initially imposed during the first Trump administration, briefly lifted by President Joe Biden, and later reinstated following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Energy has emerged as a pivotal issue in peace negotiations, with the U.S. reportedly proposing to manage Ukraine’s nuclear power plants and secure a critical minerals deal to offset military aid costs.
There’s also talk of the U.S. taking control of Ukrainian natural gas pipelines as part of the financial arrangement.
However, negotiations hit a rough patch after Vice President JD Vance warned that the U.S. might abandon ceasefire efforts if no deal is reached. President Trump echoed this sentiment on Truth Social, criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for resisting the annexation of Crimea as a condition for peace.
“We are very close to a Deal, but the man with ‘no cards to play’ should now, finally, GET IT DONE,” Trump wrote.
As the diplomatic chess game continues, Rubio and Witkoff’s vehement rejection of Politico’s claims has cast a spotlight on the delicate balance of energy, geopolitics, and media credibility in the quest for peace.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
