President Trump defends Putin‑related policy as Senator Cramer backs Republican criticism
During a Face the Nation interview, Trump highlighted his rally strategy and Cramer reiterated GOP concerns about a recent sanctions waiver for Russia.
By Felo News Desk · Published
On Oct. 18, 2026, President Donald Trump and Sen. Kevin Cramer appeared on CBS’s Face the Nation to discuss the president’s outreach to Russia and Republican reactions to a recent sanctions waiver.
What happened
President Trump, speaking on the program, said his campaign rallies were changing political dynamics and emphasized the personal effort involved in traveling across the country. In a separate segment, Sen. Kevin Cramer, a Republican from North Dakota, answered questions about Ukraine, the recent waiver of Lindsey Graham‑related sanctions on Russia, and the upcoming midterm election issues such as diesel fuel costs.
What the reports add
CBS News’ full transcript of the broadcast notes that Trump framed his rally schedule as a “red‑state romp” that was “working,” while also noting his humor about the eight‑hour flight time. The same outlet’s interview‑specific transcript records Cramer’s description of the sanctions waiver as “capitulating to a bully,” echoing criticism from Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, who called the move “unconscionable” and “beyond irresponsible.” Both transcripts confirm that the discussion occurred on the Oct. 18 episode of Face the Nation.
What was said
President Trump told host Margaret Brennan, “What an honor. I love doing this stuff… This is worth the eight hours in a plane,” adding that his rallies have “changed everything.”
“So I think these rallies have changed everything. I think a lot of people that maybe were having trouble won’t have so much trouble,” Trump said, according to CBS News.
Sen. Cramer responded to Brennan’s question on Ukraine and the sanctions waiver: “Capitulating to a bully generally means they’re going to make more demands going forward… I share those colleagues’ positions on it.” He also noted the proximity of the midterm election and the importance of diesel fuel costs in North Dakota.
How it came about
The interview took place amid a broader Republican push to criticize President Trump’s recent decision to ease pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin, a move that has sparked internal party debate. Earlier this month, other Republicans on Face the Nation highlighted concerns about U.S.–China relations and AI policy, as reported in Felo’s coverage of Rep. Ro Khanna’s appearance on the same program (us‑china‑ai‑agreement).
Key facts
- President Trump praised his rally schedule and travel effort on Face the Nation. (cbsnews.com)
- Sen. Kevin Cramer said the sanctions waiver amounts to capitulating to a bully. (cbsnews.com)
- Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis publicly condemned the sanctions waiver. (cbsnews.com)
Sources
- [1] cbsnews.com
- [2] cbsnews.com
