Retired Marine General John Kelly, who served as Donald Trump’s White House chief of staff from 2017 to 2019, has made explosive comments about the former president’s views on power and governance
In a series of interviews published Tuesday, Kelly stated that Trump fits the “general definition of fascist” and expressed admiration for the loyalty of Adolf Hitler’s Nazi generals.
According to Kelly, Trump praised Hitler’s generals for their unwavering loyalty, saying, “I need the kind of generals that Hitler had.” Kelly clarified that American military officers, in contrast, swear an oath to the Constitution, not the commander in chief.
This distinction underscores the concerns about Trump’s understanding of the military’s role in a democratic society.
Kelly’s revelations are particularly striking given Trump’s history of controversial comments about authoritarian leaders.
The former president has previously praised figures like Hitler for their supposed strength and effectiveness, despite their egregious human rights abuses.
Trump’s campaign has vehemently denied Kelly’s claims, labeling them “absolutely false.” However, Kelly’s account aligns with previous reports of Trump’s admiration for Hitler’s economic rebuilding efforts. In his book “The Return of Great Powers,” CNN’s Jim Sciutto wrote that Trump allegedly said, “Hitler did some good things.”
Kelly recounted a conversation with Trump where the former president said, “Well, Hitler did some good things.” Kelly responded, “Well, what?” Trump replied, “Well, he rebuilt the economy.” Kelly emphasized that Trump’s comment demonstrated a profound lack of understanding about the consequences of Hitler’s actions.
Democratic leaders have seized on Kelly’s comments, condemning Trump’s alleged views on power and governance.
Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, said, “Folks, the guardrails are gone. Trump is descending into this madness — a former president of the United States and the candidate for president of the United States says he wants generals like Adolf Hitler had.”
Walz, a veteran of the Army National Guard, emphasized the dangers of Trump’s views, stating, “You know, Hitler did some good things, too.” This sentiment echoes concerns about Trump’s fitness for office and his understanding of history.
The controversy surrounding Trump’s reported comments has sparked renewed debate about his suitability for the presidency. As the election approaches, Kelly’s revelations have added fuel to the fire, highlighting the stakes of the upcoming vote.
Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, described Trump’s admiration for Hitler as perhaps the “most shocking” thing Kelly heard during his time in the White House. Goldberg noted that Trump’s frustration with generals stemmed from their refusal to blindly follow his orders.
The incident involving Trump’s conversation about Hitler’s generals is not isolated. A book published in 2022, “The Divider: Trump in the White House,” reported a similar exchange between Trump and Kelly. According to the authors, Trump told Kelly, “Why can’t you be like the German generals?”
As the country grapples with the implications of Kelly’s comments, concerns about Trump’s authoritarian tendencies and lack of historical understanding have taken center stage. The former president’s alleged admiration for Hitler’s generals has raised questions about his commitment to democratic values and the rule of law.
With Election Day looming, the controversy surrounding Trump’s views on power and governance has become a critical issue. As voters head to the polls, they will weigh the implications of Kelly’s revelations and decide the future of American leadership.
