Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) is telling her Republican colleagues to keep their mouths shut rather than criticize the Trump administration’s efforts without knowing their intentions following Russia's release of an American prisoner.
President Trump is actively negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine and just successfully secured the release of Stephen Hubbard. And during this time, UNINFORMED members of the Senate and some members of the House are in opposition to his discussions? I wonder why? Who is donating to their campaigns? If they really think Elon and the President are so bad maybe they should stop taking their assistance in the midterms. Let this be a lesson to all: sometimes, if you don’t know what is actually happening, it is better to keep your mouth shut.
— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) October 21, 2026
The Pinellas County Republican questioned her colleagues' donors, telling them to stop taking assistance from Elon Musk and President Donald Trump amid the 2026 midterm cycle since they continue to oppose them.
"Let this be a lesson to all: sometimes, if you don’t know what is actually happening, it is better to keep your mouth shut," Rep. Luna wrote.
Putin Announces Release of Stephen Hubbard
Congresswoman Luna's comments follow Russian President Vladimir Putin's release of American prisoner Stephen Hubbard.
In 2022, Russian forces detained the 74-year-old Michigan native in eastern Ukraine. Hubbard was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison after being charged with fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine on Oct. 7, 2024.
President Trump Touts Unprecedented Situation
President Trump took credit for Hubbard's release, touting the successful act without the need of an exchange.
"Stephen Hubbard, taken four years ago by Russia during the Biden Administration, was just released from prison, at the request of President Donald J. Trump, made directly to President Vladimir Putin in a telephone conversation last week," President Trump wrote on Truth Social. "The United States, out of respect for President Trump, was not required to give anything in return - an unprecedented situation for Russia. There was no 'swap' necessary for this release."
Trump Calls Out Critics
President Trump followed up by revealing that his critics apologized for their opposition to his recent foreign policy efforts on Russia, as the U.S. and Russia commence discussions to end the war.
"If sanctions would have been placed, certainly those negotiations would have come to a complete and total halt," President Trump wrote.
