'Wannabe dictator': Donald Trump mocked for showering praises on Xi Jinping by calling him 'brilliant'

NEWTON, IOWA: Former President Donald Trump doubled down on his obsession with Chinese President Xi Jinping, calling him a "brilliant man."

Addressing the Commit to Caucus Rally in Newton, Iowa, on Saturday, January 6 the Republican presidential frontrunner recounted when somebody asked him if he thought that the Chinese President was a brilliant man.

Stating, "He [Xi Jinping] controls 1.4 billion people ruthlessly. Ruthlessly. No games," Trump added, "He is a brilliant man."

"He runs 1.4 billion people with an iron fist. It's crazy."

Trump was speaking about his interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson in April when he praised Xi.

He returned to the Hawkeye state ten days before the caucuses scheduled on January 15, the first significant electoral test for the GOP and Democratic presidential candidates.

Xi Jinping is 'all business'

Trump, who previously stated he wanted to be a dictator for a day if elected, continued showering praises on the Chinese President. Referring to his meeting with Xi, the White House hopeful said, "President Xi is very smart, and he's all business."

Despite the widespread backlash against his fondness towards authoritarian rulers like German dictator Adolf Hitler and his recurring rhetorics against undocumented immigrants in America, Trump refrained from avoiding such references from his campaign speeches.

Sharing his admiration for the Chinese leader's approach, the former President added, "This guy is serious, and there is nobody smarter."

"They are smart, they are cunning. They love their country. But different forms of love. But they are tough and they are smart."

The presidential hopeful's multiple speeches in Iowa coincided with the third anniversary of the January 6 Capitol attack. On the anniversary eve, he reiterated his denial of his involvement in the insurrection, accusing the FBI and Antifa of "leading the charge."

Internet reacts

Netizens reacting to Trump's praises to the Chinese President pointed out that the possibility of the former President becoming a dictator if elected in 2024 is highly likely.

One user wrote, "He won’t give up being a dictator - he’s a power mad narcissist."

Another user remarked, "He's pathetic and disgusting. A wannabe and inept dictator."

"Ruthlessly and with iron fist! These are the comments he reiterates," a third user noted. Another user added, "Trump is a sick narcissist, wannabe dictator."

One reaction read, "Of course he is dictator wannabe, just a wannabe, but he is simply too stupid."

"Exactly what he aspires to be," remarked another.

Another user wrote, "This incident brings the question of Trump's potential authoritarian tendencies back into focus."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.