Marc Fogel Hails Trump as a ‘Hero’ After White House Welcome Following Russian Detention

After spending three years in a brutal Russian penal colony, American schoolteacher Marc Fogel is finally home thanks to President Donald Trump. Fogel, 63, was welcomed at the White House, where he praised Trump for making his freedom possible.

“I feel like the luckiest man on earth right now,” Fogel said, standing beside Trump. “I want you to know that I am not a hero in this at all. President Trump is a hero.”

Fogel was sentenced to 14 years in prison in 2021 for possessing medical marijuana, which had been legally prescribed to him by an American doctor for chronic pain. A veteran educator, he had spent nearly three decades teaching overseas before his unjust arrest. While the Biden administration ignored his plight, prioritizing the release of high-profile figures like WNBA player Brittney Griner, Fogel languished behind bars.

Fogel’s story is another reminder of the stark difference between strong leadership and political favoritism. Under Joe Biden, Fogel was left behind while Griner a left-wing activist who had openly criticized America was swiftly swapped for a Russian arms dealer.

But Trump saw things differently. After meeting Fogel’s 95-year-old mother, Malphine, at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, he promised to bring her son home. True to his word, he delivered.

“When I saw the mother at a rally, she said, ‘If you win, will you get my son out?’ And I promised we got him out pretty quickly,” Trump said.

Fogel’s case highlights the Democrats’ warped priorities:

• The Biden administration bent over backward to secure Griner’s release but ignored a lifelong educator who had served American diplomatic families.

• While Biden’s White House made excuses, Trump’s team led by special envoy Steve Witkoff took action and successfully negotiated Fogel’s release.

• Despite being labeled “wrongfully detained” by the State Department, Fogel was left in Russian custody for years under Biden.

Now, thanks to Trump’s decisive leadership, Fogel is back on American soil, where he will receive medical evaluation and rehabilitation in Texas.

The moment Fogel stepped off the aircraft draped in an American flag, he knew he had been given a second chance at life. U.S. envoy for hostages Adam Boehler posted a photo of Fogel clutching his passport and kissing a drinking glass, overwhelmed with relief.

“I love our country,” Fogel said, holding back tears. “I am so happy to be back here.”

Since Trump took office just 22 days ago, ten American hostages have been brought home, including seven detained in Venezuela. That number is expected to grow as Trump remains committed to ensuring that no American is left behind.

Senator Marco Rubio celebrated the latest victory, calling it an example of “promises made, promises kept.”

“Marc’s release is also a reminder that other American citizens are still detained in Russia,” Rubio stated. “President Trump is committed to bringing all of them home.”

While Biden and his administration abandoned Americans in foreign prisons, Trump is proving that real leadership means standing up for every citizen—no matter their status or political leanings.

Fogel’s return is not just a personal victory for him and his family; it is a testament to Trump’s unwavering dedication to America and its people.

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