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They simply figured he wasn’t serious, wishfully thinking that he would be talked out of the dumb idea.

He insisted several times that Zelensky is to blame for failing to prevent war, saying that Russia could have been "talked out" of invading Ukraine.

But Hegseth also talked out of both sides of his mouth, claiming, on one hand, that the poorly defined allegations against him are "made up" while also admitting to "kernels of truth."

At other points, Mr. Trump contemplated pulling American troops out of South Korea as well, only to be talked out of it, but has said since leaving office that such a move would be a priority in a second term unless South Korea paid more in compensation.

But he was gently talked out of it.