Trump shows ‘4 more years’ hats to Macron and Zelenskyy during White House Ukraine talks

Trump shows “4 more years” hats to Macron and Zelenskyy during White House visit

On August 18, 2025, President Donald Trump showed part of his campaign hat collection, including red caps reading “4 more years,” to visiting leaders at the White House, among them French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The leaders were in Washington for talks on the war in Ukraine, including possible security guarantees for Kyiv and steps toward negotiations with Russia.

Photos and short video clips of the moment spread quickly on social media and in news coverage. Supporters treated it as a light moment during a tense day, while critics said it was out of place at a summit about an ongoing war.

The slogan also drew attention because the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution bars a person from being elected president more than twice. Some reports said “Trump 2028” hats were also on display.

The setting of the hat display

The hats were shown briefly as the leaders moved between meetings. Zelenskyy was accompanied to Washington by several European leaders, including Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

Why the image drew attention

The talks focused on how to end the fighting and what protections Ukraine might receive after any deal. Against that backdrop, critics argued that campaign merchandise distracted from the substance of the meeting, while supporters said such moments are a normal part of White House visits.

How Macron and Zelenskyy reacted

Neither Macron nor Zelenskyy commented publicly on the hats. Both leaders focused their public remarks on Ukraine’s security and on the next steps in diplomacy with Moscow.

The White House view

The White House presented the day as focused on Ukraine’s security and on arranging possible direct talks between Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump said after the meetings that he had begun arranging such a meeting.

The “4 more years” slogan and the Constitution

Under the 22nd Amendment, a president may be elected to the office only twice. Trump has at times joked about a third term, and his campaign merchandise has included similar slogans. Critics said displaying such items during official meetings with foreign leaders blurred the line between campaign branding and state business.

Reaction on social media

The clip was widely shared online. Supporters said Trump was easing tension in the room, while critics called the moment self-promotion. Coverage of the hats ran alongside reporting on the substance of the talks.

The diplomatic stakes

Beyond the hat display, the summit dealt with Ukraine’s request for security guarantees, European support for Kyiv, and the question of whether and when Zelenskyy and Putin might meet. Trump said the United States would help with Ukraine’s security but did not commit U.S. ground troops.

Campaign merchandise in politics

Caps, shirts and other merchandise are a long-standing part of U.S. campaigns, raising money and making supporters visible. Their appearance during an official diplomatic event is what drew criticism in this case.

Past White House visits

Presidents have often shown foreign visitors personal items, artwork or historical artifacts at the White House. Supporters of Trump pointed to that tradition, while critics said the political slogan made this display different.

What to watch next

Key questions after the summit include what form any security guarantees for Ukraine would take, whether European countries would commit forces or resources, and whether a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin would take place.

Final take

The hat display became one of the most widely shared images from the summit, but the outcome of the talks on Ukraine’s security will matter more than the image itself.