‘I’m going to Russia’: Trump appears to forget Alaska is in US in embarrassing gaffe before Putin summit

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump appeared to conflate Alaska with Russia during a White House press conference this week, just days before his scheduled meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The slip occurred as Trump addressed reporters alongside Attorney General Pam Bondi, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and DC US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, outlining plans to bring Washington, DC’s police force under federal control to combat what he called “unsafe” conditions in the capital.

Trump sparks confusion with 'going to Russia' remark ahead of Alaska summit with Putin

“This is a tragic emergency, and it’s embarrassing for me to be up here,” Trump told reporters. “You know, I’m going to see Putin. I’m going to Russia on Friday. I don’t like being up here, talking about how unsafe and how dirty and disgusting this once-beautiful capital is,” Trump said, lamenting the city’s crime problem.

In reality, the high-profile summit is set to take place not in Russia, but in Alaska, a location confirmed in Trump’s own Truth Social post last week.

“The highly anticipated meeting between myself, as President of the United States of America, and President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, will take place next Friday, August 15, 2025, in the Great State of Alaska,” Trump posted last week on Truth Social.

The August 15 gathering in Alaska will mark the first in-person talks between a US president and Putin since 2021, when Joe Biden met the Russian leader in Switzerland. It will also be Putin’s first visit to the US in a decade, despite the International Criminal Court’s outstanding arrest warrant against him.

Trump has framed the summit as a step toward ending the ongoing war in Ukraine, which began with Russia’s 2022 invasion.

Trump mocked online after confusing Alaska with Russia ahead of Putin meeting

President Donald Trump became the target of widespread online ridicule after appearing to confuse Alaska with Russia while discussing his upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

But Trump’s apparent misunderstanding quickly sparked a wave of sarcastic and scathing reactions.

Critics wasted no time pointing out the blunder. “The so-called president of the United States thinks that Alaska is in Russia. What an ongoing embarrassment!” one user wrote.

“We're embarrassed- that's for damn sure!” several others echoed.

Some suggested there was more to the slip. “Maybe he’s giving Alaska to Putin as a gift, and just accidentally leaked it,” one commenter joked.

“Putin just loves hearing Alaska referred to as Russia. Trump just hands them talking points on a silver platter,” another wrote.

A few critics went further, questioning Trump’s mental fitness. “This is what dementia looks like,” one user claimed.

Another added, “What the hell is wrong with this guy? He's planning to meet a war criminal in Alaska and has the audacity to call it 'Russia'? This isn't just a slip of the tongue; it's a blatant disregard for geography, history, and reality. Alaska hasn't been part of Russia since 1867.”

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