Trump Hosts Freed American Stephen Hubbard at White House After Russian Prison Release
Photo: The Guardian USPresident Donald Trump met Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired Michigan teacher, in the Oval Office on Friday, days after Hubbard was released from a Russian prison where he spent more than four years. Russia had accused Hubbard of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine, which Russia invaded in February 2022; his legal team has denied that and said he took part in no military activity. Hubbard returned to the United States last week, with his release dated to 21 October. It was announced during a meeting in St Petersburg between U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump called Hubbard a "very special man" who suffered greatly and said he had asked Putin to free him and that the U.S. did not have to release anyone in return. Asked whether he was treated reasonably well, Hubbard said yes, adding that some guards treated him sympathetically. He said he had often heard he would be freed but only believed it when he received new clothes and was led out of the prison, and that he would not have lived another year there.
Fox News, on the right, gives the shortest account: it describes Trump welcoming Hubbard to celebrate his freedom, says Hubbard expressed deep gratitude to the administration, and says Trump highlighted ongoing efforts to bring Americans home from foreign captivity. Its excerpt omits the mercenary allegation, Hubbard's denial and his prison details. The left-leaning Guardian US and CBS News cover the same meeting but lead with Hubbard's own words about not trusting promises of release, and they add the charge, his legal team's denial, the Witkoff-Putin meeting and Trump's remarks that nothing was given in return. CBS also features Hubbard's comments on guards. Both sides agree on the White House meeting and Hubbard's release. They differ mainly in focus: administration credit and gratitude versus Hubbard's experience and the background. NewsNation's alternative coverage focuses on his relief and gratitude at being home, saying it is better than where he was.
How the sides differ Right sources stress Trump welcoming Hubbard and thanks to the administration; left sources add Hubbard's account of disbelief, the mercenary charge and his denial; alternative sources stress relief.
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