What is Donald Trump's view on where Crimean people's preferences lie regarding Russia?

According to Donald Trump, the people of Crimea would prefer to be aligned with Russia rather than their previous situation. In his statement, Trump claims this perspective is based on what he has heard about Crimean sentiment, suggesting a belief that Crimeans favor Russian governance over Ukrainian control. This viewpoint has proven controversial, as it echoes Russian narratives about Crimea's annexation in 2014, which most Western nations consider illegal. Trump's comment was met with criticism from those who viewed it as undermining Ukraine's territorial sovereignty and legitimizing Russia's actions in the region.