Topline
President Donald Trump referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as “President Putin” Wednesday, then seemingly tried to cover up the gaffe, which was one of several during Wednesday’s press conference alongside Zelenskyy at Thursday’s NATO summit in Turkey.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (L) meets with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the NATO Summit at Bestepe Presidential Compound in Ankara, on July 8, 2026. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
Key Facts
Trump pointed to Zelenskyy and asked if reporters had any questions for “President Putin” before appearing to catch the error and insist he wanted to relay the inquiries when he spoke to the Russian president later in the day.
Trump also referred to the “Islamic Republic of Iran” as the “Islamic Republic of Japan” when speaking about an attack by Iran on a U.S. aircraft carrier.
In the same press conference, he referred to the Obama-era nuclear deal with Iran, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as “JCPOC,” calling it a “terrible deal.”
He also mispronounced the app “Tik Tok” as “tic tac,” telling reporters, “You know who’s number one on tic tac? I am. I’m number one on Tik Tok and all I talk about is how bad communism is.”
He repeated the “tic tac” error—which he also made Monday from the White House while speaking about his following on the app—while delivering remarks at the NATO summit later in the day Wednesday.
The gaffes come amid persistent questions about the president’s health and mental state, as he often rambles in speeches, has seemingly dozed off in public on multiple occasions and has been seen with bruises on his hands and swollen ankles during his second term.
The White House did not directly address the gaffes when asked by Forbes to explain them, and issued a statement from Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defending Trump’s performance at Wednesday’s NATO summit.
Crucial Quote
“President Trump delivered a marathon, high-energy performance at the NATO summit, holding four separate press availabilities plus a solo press conference and taking unscripted questions from reporters on a wide range of topics,” Leavitt said, adding, “The President commanded every room, gave our allies some much-needed tough love, and left the summit with a stronger NATO and more united free world.”
Key Background
Concerns about Trump’s health have largely been overshadowed by comparisons with former President Joe Biden’s, whose fragile mental and physical state forced him to drop out of the 2024 presidential race. Trump has leaned into claims that Biden was so mentally unfit that his staff was effectively operating the country—replacing his portrait in the White House Presidential Walk of Fame with an image of an autopen, which presidents sometimes use to sign documents. Trump is the oldest president ever inaugurated and will be the oldest president in history when he leaves office in January 2029 at the age of 82 and 7 months, about five months older than Biden was when he left office.
Tangent
Trump last received a physical in May at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. His physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, reported that he “remains in excellent health, demonstrating strong cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and overall physical function.” He had gained 14 pounds since his physical in April 2025.
further reading
Trump Says His Physical Went ‘PERFECTLY’ Amid Speculation Over Bruised Hands And Swollen Legs (Forbes)
Trump Seen With Bruised Right Hand Again—Here’s Everything We Know About The Condition (Forbes)
Democrats Demand Answers After White House Denies Trump Received Experimental Weight Loss Drug (Forbes)