What Did You Think ‘America First’ Meant? — A Gen Z Perspective

Guest post by Brilyn Hollyhand 

The Oval Office blowup between Trump, Vance, and Zelensky wasn’t a diplomatic misstep – it was a masterclass in putting America first for a change. Zelensky came into our White House knowing every detail about the peace deal on the table, a minerals agreement that could’ve secured Ukraine’s future while benefiting the U.S. taxpayer.

Instead, he chose to put on a show for the media to influence the press, and Trump and Vance rightfully shut it down. What did he think “America First” meant – vibes, essays, and speeches? No, it’s about hard-nosed pragmatism, and Zelensky’s arrogance proved he doesn’t get it.

The scene unfolded like a reality check for a world too accustomed to America’s open wallet.

Trump laid it out: Ukraine’s “gambling with World War III” without the U.S., and Vance hammered home the point, calling out Zelensky’s ingratitude for not thanking the American people who’ve propped up his war effort.

Zelensky pushed back, correcting Trump on dates and questioning Vance’s credentials with a snide, “Have you ever been to Ukraine?” But that defiance only dug his hole deeper.

Vance didn’t flinch, accusing him of trying to “litigate this in front of the American media” – a cheap stunt, not statesmanship. Trump capped it off: “Negotiate peace or fight alone.” No deal, no lunch, no more coddling. That’s “America First” in action.

For too long, leaders like Zelensky have mistaken America’s generosity for weakness. The media ate up his grandstanding, painting him as some noble warrior, but the American people did NOT.

Trump and Vance saw through the act – an arrogant little man in pajamas banking on guilt trips instead of results. What did he think “America First” meant? A vibe of selfless heroism?

Ukraine’s survival hinges on U.S. support, yet Zelensky waltzed in demanding security guarantees without offering the respect Trump’s administration commands.

Vance was right to call it disrespectful; Trump was right to show him the door. This isn’t about soothing egos – it’s about leveraging America’s strength to end a war, not prolong it.

Contrast this with the old playbook: billions funneled overseas with no strings, no accountability.

Trump and Vance flipped that script. “America First” isn’t a policy paper full of platitudes—it’s a gut-level stance that says, “You’re either with us, or you’re on your own.”

Zelensky thought he could roll in, dictate terms, and play the victim card. Wrong. He misread the room and the slogan. Trump’s ultimatum -“You don’t have the cards without us” – wasn’t a threat; it was a fact.

The minerals deal could’ve been a win-win, but Zelensky’s tantrum torched it. Now Ukraine needs new leadership, someone who grasps that “America First” means America calls the shots when your receiving our taxypayers’ dollars, not the other way around.

What did we think “America First” meant? To Trump and Vance, it’s not about vibes of global camaraderie or essays on moral duty – it’s about power wielded for American interests.

Zelensky’s defiance didn’t impress; it exposed his weakness. He left empty-handed, while Trump and Vance stood tall, unshaken by his bluster. The message to the world was clear: this administration won’t be bullied or guilted into submission.

Europe can pick up the slack if it wants, but America’s done bending over backwards. “America First” means exactly what it says – our country, our rules.

Zelensky learned that the hard way, and it’s about time. And that’s exactly what the American people voted for in November!

Brilyn Hollyhand is Chairman of the Republican National Committee’s Youth Advisory Council and bestselling author of “One Generation Away: Why Now is the Time to Restore American Freedom.”

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