President Donald Trump's name has been floated as a possible attendee at an upcoming summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, a report that has ignited a fierce backlash among political analysts and critics who describe the potential gathering as a «treason summit.»
The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday that Trump could be invited to the meeting, which would focus on ending Russia's war in Ukraine. No official invitation has been issued, and no details about the summit's location or timing have been confirmed.
The report landed amid a broader controversy over the Trump administration's recent actions toward Russia. Critics have accused the president of buying diesel fuel from Russia — allowing proceeds to fund the war in Ukraine and arm U.S. adversaries such as Iran — and of lifting sanctions on Russia that had been implemented under legislation passed in honor of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican.
The combination of those moves and the floated summit drew sharp reactions on social media. Grant Stern, executive editor of Occupy Democrats, posted on X that the gathering should be called «Treason Summit 2.0,» a reference to Trump's previous meeting with Putin in Alaska.
John Jackson, a military veteran and frequent Trump critic, said the summit would likely happen even though nothing has been formally organized. «Of course. This will play to Trump's ego,» Jackson wrote on X.
David Corn, a columnist for Mother Jones, argued that the meeting would signal the formation of a dangerous new global alignment. «A new Axis of Evil?» Corn posted on Bluesky.
The White House has not commented publicly on the reported invitation. The prospect of a three-way summit involving the leaders of the United States, Russia and China would mark a significant shift in diplomatic engagement, particularly as the war in Ukraine continues and Western allies have sought to isolate Moscow.
The criticism reflects deepening partisan divisions over Trump's foreign policy approach, which has repeatedly drawn scrutiny for his willingness to engage directly with adversarial leaders. Supporters have argued that such meetings can create openings for peace negotiations, while opponents contend they legitimize governments accused of aggression and human rights abuses.
The reported summit plan comes as the administration faces questions about its Russia policy on multiple fronts. The diesel purchases and sanctions relief have been cited by critics as evidence of a softer line toward Moscow, even as the war in Ukraine grinds on and U.S. adversaries in the Middle East, including Iran, continue to receive Russian support.
For now, the summit remains speculative. But the reaction to the mere possibility of Trump sitting down with Putin and Xi underscores how sensitive the issue of U.S.-Russia relations remains in American politics, and how quickly any signal of rapprochement can become a flashpoint.