Does Trump's wink prove the White House bust-up was planned?

By IAN GALLAGHER Published: 22:15 GMT, 1 March 2025 Friday, just before midday in the Oval Office. President Trump and President Zelensky sit on high-backed damask chairs angled cosily for a routine exchange of pleasantries. The Ukrainian leader looks nervous and mirrors his host's pose, leaning slightly forward, hands on lap and interlaced. But while the proceedings begin cordially – with Trump declaring it an 'honour' to welcome his special guest – by their end we will witness shouted insults, threats, aspersions cast and diplomats reduced to near tears. Both men gesticulated so wildly at times that their arms crossed like flashing swords. The extraordinary spectacle shocked the world. But was the attack on Zelensky orchestrated, a 'planned political mugging', as one diplomatic observer put it?