From Adolf Hitler to Vladimir Putin: 6 times Donald Trump lavished praise on dictators in 2023
6 times Donald Trump lavished praise on dictators in 2023
Former President Donald Trump has wavered erratically from one position to another on a variety of political beliefs, but his affinity for authoritarian figures has remained the same. The 77-year-old front-runner for the GOP nomination recently made headlines after repeating a phrase about undocumented immigrants during a New Hampshire rally, saying they are “poisoning the blood of our country.” The controversial remarks alarmed Trump’s critics and prompted President Joe Biden’s campaign to release a statement saying he “parroted Adolf Hitler." His remarks are among several instances in which the billionaire candidate has offered praise for tyrannical leaders. Here are seven times when Trump has spoken favorably of dictators in 2023.
Trump calls Xi Jinping a 'brilliant man'
In April, the real estate mogul sat down for an interview with Tucker Carlson at his Mar-a-Lago home, where he sang praises for Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. At one point during the interview, Carlson asked “How smart is [Xi]? Could you tell?” To which, the former President replied “Top of the line. President Xi is a brilliant man. If you went all over Hollywood to look for somebody to play the role of President Xi, you couldn’t find [them], there’s nobody like that: the look, the brain, the whole thing.” Subsequently, Trump praised Putin, calling the Russian president “very smart” although admitting that he had been having a “bad year".
Trump says Erdogan lifted Turkey to 'new level of prominence'
Following Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's re-election in May, Trump celebrated his triumph on Truth Social, writing, “Congratulations to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his big and well-deserved victory in Turkey.” “I know him well, he is a friend, and have learned firsthand how much he loves his Country and the great people of Turkey, which he has lifted to a new level of prominence and respect!” he added, according to Politico.
Trump praises Viktor Orban as 'one of the strongest leaders'
In October, Trump was addressing a huge crowd at a New Hampshire campaign rally when he lauded Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has described his own governing style as an “illiberal democracy". “There’s a man, Viktor Orbán, did anyone ever hear of him?” Trump said, adding, “He’s probably, like, one of the strongest leaders anywhere in the world,” before misidentifying him as the “the leader of Turkey". After leaving the White House, Trump has maintained contact with Orban, and last summer, before the Hungarian president spoke at CPAC in Dallas, he welcomed Orban at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.
Trump calls Kim Jong Un 'tough' and 'smart'
During a November event in New Hampshire, Trump offered one of his favorite compliments to President Xi. “President Xi is like central casting. There’s nobody in Hollywood that could play the role of President Xi — the look, the strength, the voice,” he said. Additionally, Trump acknowledged his close connections with Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin. “It’s good to have a good relationship with Putin and Xi and all these people they have lots of nuclear weapons,” the Republican said, adding, “And Kim Jong Un I have a good relationship with. He’s a tough, smart guy.”
Trump says he'll be a dictator only on his 'day one' in office
While applauding foreign autocrats, Trump said he would become a dictator himself, but only for one day of his second term. “Under no circumstances, you are promising America tonight, you would never abuse power as retribution against anybody?” Fox anchor Sean Hannity questioned during a filmed interview in Davenport, Iowa. To which Trump replied, “Except for day one. I want to close the border and I want to drill, drill, drill.” Days later, Trump reiterated the proposal in a town hall and at an event, then backed off on social media, referring to it in a "joking manner."
Trump quotes Putin
During a rally in Durham, New Hampshire, Trump attempted to portray Biden as an authoritarian leader by appropriating a Putin phrase. “Even Vladimir Putin … says that Biden’s, and this is a quote, politically motivated persecution of his political rival is very good for Russia because it shows the rottenness of the American political system, which cannot pretend to teach others about democracy,” the former president told his supporters.
