Washington, D.C. – Braving freezing temperatures and falling snow, former President Donald Trump welcomed home former Russian hostage Marc Fogel outside the White House on Tuesday night in a dramatic and emotional moment.
Fogel, a U.S. citizen and former teacher who had been detained in Russia on drug-related charges, arrived back on American soil earlier in the evening after what officials called a “lengthy and intense” diplomatic effort. The former president, bundled up against the harsh winter conditions, personally greeted Fogel on the White House lawn, emphasizing the importance of bringing Americans home from unjust detentions abroad.
“This is a great night for America,” Trump told a small crowd of reporters and supporters. “Marc Fogel should have never been held in the first place. It was a disgrace, but tonight, he is back where he belongs—home.”
Fogel, visibly emotional, thanked the efforts of those involved in securing his release and expressed relief to be back in the United States. “I can’t begin to describe how grateful I am to be standing here right now,” he said. “This has been a nightmare, but I am so thankful for the support from my family, the American people, and everyone who never gave up on me.”
The surprise late-night ceremony marked a moment of triumph following months of speculation and behind-the-scenes negotiations regarding Fogel’s fate. His imprisonment in Russia drew comparisons to other high-profile detentions, including that of WNBA star Brittney Griner, who was released in a prisoner swap in 2022.
Although details of Fogel’s release remain undisclosed, sources close to the negotiations suggested it involved a delicate diplomatic agreement. The former president hinted at the complexity of the deal but refrained from discussing specifics. “The way we got this done—nobody else could have done it,” Trump said. “We never stop fighting for our people.”
As Fogel reunites with his family, his return adds to the ongoing conversation about Americans detained abroad and the diplomatic strategies used to secure their freedom.
While the snow continued to fall over Washington, the night ended with applause and cheers, symbolizing a long-awaited homecoming for Marc Fogel and a significant moment in U.S.-Russia relations.
