Michael Caine’s Perfect Three-Word Response to Trump’s Row with Zelensky

Sir Michael Caine has offered a straightforward three-word response to Donald Trump regarding his heated exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The 91-year-old British actor, alongside author Stephen King, weighed in on how Trump and US Vice President JD Vance treated Zelensky during his visit to the White House. The Ukrainian leader had arrived seeking security assurances amid his country’s ongoing war with Russia.

What began as a diplomatic discussion quickly turned tense as both Republicans pressed Zelensky to express more gratitude. Vance initially told him, “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 respond, Trump raised his voice, warning, “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people” and asserting, “You’re not in a good position right now.” Trump further accused Zelensky of risking a global conflict, telling him, “You’re gambling with World War Three, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to this country, a country that has supported you more than many believe it should have.”

While the Kremlin reportedly welcomed the exchange, many Western leaders voiced support for Zelensky, who was allegedly asked to leave the White House soon after.

Among those reacting to the incident was Get Carter and Interstellar star Michael Caine, who posted on X/Twitter: “Calm down Trump.”

He followed up with a reference to one of his most famous lines from the 1969 film The Italian Job, where he originally said, “You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!” This time, Caine adapted the quote to the situation, writing: “You’re only suppose to sign a cease fire [sic].”

Many users on social media praised Caine’s succinct remark, with one person commenting, “Excellent, no notes.”

Caine has previously used the phrase “calm down” in response to moments of heightened tension. In August 2024, he posted the same message during the UK race riots, which erupted following misinformation about the perpetrator behind the killing of three children in Southport. The riots led to large-scale police deployments amid violent attacks, including stabbings, assaults, and attacks on mosques.