Ümit Özdağ hits back hard at Trump's election insinuation

Ümit Özdağ drew attention to the statements made following the meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and former US President Donald Trump in Washington.

Özdağ stated that the words "he knows rigged elections better than anyone," used by Trump at the beginning of the meeting, were an insinuation directed at Erdoğan. He expressed that this statement was not a diplomatic gaffe, but rather contained a conscious message.

"It is no coincidence that the American President used such an expression in front of the world public," said Özdağ, adding that this statement could lead to serious debates in international relations and domestic politics.

Zafer Party Chairman Özdağ also reacted to the statements made by US Ambassador to Ankara Tom Barrack regarding "legitimacy." Emphasizing that the legitimacy of the President can only stem from the Turkish nation, Özdağ said, "The only source that can grant legitimacy to the President of the Republic of Turkey is the Turkish nation." He evaluated this statement as an insult directed at the Turkish nation and President Erdoğan.

Criticizing Trump for bringing up the issue of Pastor Andrew Brunson during the meeting, Özdağ recalled that the Brunson issue had created serious tension in Turkey-US relations in the past. Stating that Trump bringing up this issue was a diplomatic discourtesy, Özdağ said, "This issue is etched in memory with the insulting letter written to Erdoğan. The Turkish public has not forgotten this insult."

Finally, referring to Trump's words that the meeting "went perfectly," Özdağ expressed his doubts about the meeting, saying, "In whose favor this perfection is will emerge in the coming period."