We should remember that Zelensky is an entertainer by training. He's way in over his head in this situation and in fact, he may be a pure pawn in that he believes he's defending Ukraine against an actual invasion.
So the tragedy here may not be that Zelensky is playing some game but that he actually believes the narrative. Maybe what Trump found out is how out of touch with reality Zelensky is and that he's clearly dangerous to the peace process.
I mean, really, where does it end with Ukraine. You can't make a peace deal with Zelensky still president, and Zelensky won't accept an election. The US can pull everything out of their country militarily wise, but they want their money back.. and Germany is out here trying to fill the void the US will leave behind. So how does Trump actually get the war to stop?
For one, Zelensky needs to go. The most likely way is an internal coup with a General backed by the US and aligned with Russia. But Trump needs UK, Germany and France not to do anything stupid. These are high stakes games when you actually think about how the war stops on terms that are acceptable to Russia and US (plus Germany doesn't do anything stupid for feeling betrayed).
My money is internal coup in Ukraine if Zelensky doesn't take the deal to exile himself and live peacefully abroad in a mansion somewhere in France, UK or US. I bet he was offered a deal and I bet he said no and Trump got pissed and just basically threw him under the bus in that press conference. Now the consequences will roll in and Trump will pull a Sulemani on him.