Stephen Hubbard is home, and on Friday he stood in the Oval Office next to the man who brought him back. President Trump welcomed the 74-year-old retired Michigan teacher and his family to the White House and explained exactly why the deal worked when the critics wanted him to do the opposite.
“While I was negotiating for you, stupid people wanted me to put sanctions on Russia,” the President said. “The Russians laugh at these sanctions. They laugh at the sanctions. … It brings disrespect on their country.” Hubbard, who spent years in Russian custody, knew it firsthand. “They would all laugh,” he said.
Then the President laid out the absurdity of the alternative: “How would it have been? I’m speaking to President Putin. I’d like to get Stephen Hubbard back, Mr. President. And by the way, we’re putting sanctions on you right now. Can you imagine?” His conclusion was simple: “So, no, it was a great honor to get you out, really. And it’s a great family.”
Hubbard was taken by Russian forces in Izyum, Ukraine, in 2022. His freedom came after President Trump asked Vladimir Putin directly for his release, and America gave up nothing in return: no prisoner swap, no concessions. Hubbard has said he would not have lasted another year.
It is America First diplomacy in action: strength and personal leadership instead of empty gestures that make Washington feel good and leave Americans behind bars. One more family is whole tonight because President Trump made the call.
