Sir Michael Caine has given a blunt three-word response to Donald Trump over his row with Ukraine’s President Zelensky.
Alongside author Stephen King, the 91-year-old British actor made his thoughts known on Trump and U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s treatment of Zelensky during the Ukrainian leader’s visit to the White House.
Zelensky had been seeking security guarantees for his country amid its ongoing conflict with Russia. What began as a civil discussion quickly turned into a tense confrontation, with both Trump and Vance demanding that Zelensky express gratitude for U.S. support.
The situation escalated when Vance accused Zelensky of being disrespectful, stating, “With respect, I think it’s disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media.”
When Zelensky attempted to defend himself, Trump raised his voice, accusing the Ukrainian president of “gambling with the lives of millions of people” and repeatedly emphasizing that Zelensky was “not in a good position right now.” Trump further claimed that Zelensky was risking “world war three” and being disrespectful to the U.S., a country that had supported Ukraine “far more than a lot of people say they should have.”
While Kremlin officials reportedly celebrated the confrontation, Western leaders rallied behind Zelensky, who was allegedly asked to leave the White House shortly after the argument.
Among those who weighed in on the incident was Sir Michael Caine, who took to Twitter to share his thoughts.
In his characteristic blunt style, Caine wrote, “Calm down Trump.” He followed this with a reference to one of his most famous lines from the 1969 film The Italian Job, adapting it to the situation: “You’re only supposed to sign a ceasefire.”
Caine’s succinct response resonated with many, with one user praising it as “Excellent, no notes.” This is not the first time the actor has used his signature phrase to address tense situations.
In August 2024, during race riots in the UK sparked by misinformation about the killing of three children in Southport, Caine posted the same message urging calm.
The riots, fueled by racist and Islamophobic attacks, led to widespread violence, including stabbings, street beatings, and mosque sieges, prompting the deployment of thousands of police officers.
The Independent, known for its commitment to free-thinking journalism, continues to provide global news and analysis for independently-minded readers. With a mission to drive positive change, the publication has built a vast, global audience that values its trusted voice, especially during times of crisis.
As tensions rise on the world stage, voices like Caine’s and platforms like The Independent remind us of the importance of calm, reasoned discourse in navigating complex challenges.
