Former advisors raise concerns over Trump's admiration for despots

Donald Trump has praised Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán as "fantastic," Chinese President Xi Jinping as "brilliant," and North Korea's Kim Jong Un as "an OK guy." Shockingly, he reportedly mentioned that Adolf Hitler "did some good things," according to multiple former senior advisers speaking to CNN. This worldview could potentially lead to a significant shift in US foreign policy if Trump were to win a second term in the upcoming presidential election in November.

Former chief of staff, retired Gen. John Kelly, revealed Trump's positive views on leaders like Putin and Kim. Trump believed that by pushing North Korea into a corner, it was as if the US was provoking them. Kelly mentioned, "To him, it was like we were goading these guys. 'If we didn't have NATO, then Putin wouldn't be doing these things.'"

Trump's admiration for Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán was on full display during their meeting at Mar-a-Lago last Friday. This comes shortly after securing the Republican nomination on Super Tuesday, indicating a strong commitment to his beliefs.

Then-President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pose at a military demarcation line separating the two Koreas in Panmunjom, South Korea, on June 30, 2019.

"The Return of Great Powers" by CNN's Jim Sciutto.

From Penguin Random House

Trump praised Viktor Orbán, calling him the best, smartest, and a great leader. He emphasized that Orbán is respected in Europe and around the world.

In my new book, "The Return of Great Powers," former President Trump's admiration for autocrats is discussed. Those who worked under Trump, including Kelly, warn that his consistent praise of autocratic leaders who go against US interests makes him unfit to lead in potential Great Power conflicts. They believe that Trump's admiration stems from his envy of their power.

John Bolton, who was the national security adviser under Trump, shared with me that Trump sees himself as a big guy. He enjoys interacting with other powerful individuals, such as Erdogan in Turkey, who have the authority to imprison people without needing approval from others. This seems to appeal to Trump.

General Kelly, who worked closely with Trump, mentioned that despite Trump's self-perception as a tough guy, he is actually the opposite. This is how Trump perceives himself.

Alleged praise for Hitler

Trump allegedly reserved some of his most unnerving praise for Hitler, who led Nazi Germany during World War II.

Kelly shared a conversation where someone mentioned that Hitler had done some good things, such as rebuilding the economy. However, Kelly pointed out that Hitler used the rebuilt economy to harm his own people and the world. Kelly firmly expressed that there is nothing good to say about Hitler. Comparatively, Mussolini was considered a better leader.

Kelly found it difficult to believe that Hitler overlooked the Holocaust and the 400,000 American GIs who lost their lives in the European theater. Kelly speculated that Hitler's image as a tough leader may have clouded his judgment.

According to Kelly, Trump admired Hitler not only for his economic policies but also for his ability to maintain loyalty among senior Nazi officers. Kelly recalled how Trump expressed admiration for Hitler's ability to keep his senior staff loyal, contrasting this with his own struggles to secure loyalty from his generals.

Kelly remembered how Trump was surprised to learn that German generals had not always been loyal to Hitler and had even attempted to assassinate him. Trump believed that his own generals would be loyal and willing to carry out any orders he gave them.

When former Trump administration officials made allegations, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung did not address the specifics but instead criticized John Kelly and John Bolton, accusing them of being consumed by hatred. He suggested they seek professional help for what he called "Trump Derangement Syndrome."

In 2021, a spokeswoman for Trump refuted claims that the former president had praised Hitler.

Trump's former advisers were surprised that he did not have the kind of absolute power like a dictator. Bolton, one of his advisers, remembered a moment during the 2018 NATO summit. Despite having difficult interactions with NATO leaders, Trump remarked that meeting with Putin, the leader of America's rival superpower, might actually be the easiest. It made everyone wonder, "Who would have thought?"

Bolton remembered how President Trump expressed his surprise at the idea of meeting with Vladimir Putin, stating, “I think the easiest meeting might be with Vladimir Putin. Who would ever think that?” Bolton humorously pointed out that the only person who would think that is Trump himself. He speculated that Trump admired the assertiveness of leaders like Putin, feeling a sense of camaraderie with them.

Former White House Chief of Staff, John Kelly, shared his theory on Trump's affinity for dictators. Kelly believed that Trump's fondness for authoritarian figures stemmed from his own personality. While most presidents are limited by the checks and balances of the government, Trump was taken aback by the constraints on his power. Kelly suggested that Trump saw leaders like Putin and Xi Jinping as kindred spirits, viewing them as tough individuals like himself.

Then-President Trump meets Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, on June 28, 2019.

Then-President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pose at a military demarcation line separating the two Koreas in Panmunjom, South Korea, on June 30, 2019.

Matthew Pottinger, deputy national security adviser to Trump, reflected on Trump's belief in the power of his personal charisma and diplomacy. Pottinger, who played a significant role in Trump's meetings with Kim Jong Un and Xi Jinping, noted that Trump had immense confidence in his abilities. This confidence extended not only to his interactions with Kim and Xi, but also with his relationships with allies.

Trump has been showing admiration for authoritarian leaders during his 2024 presidential campaign.

During a town hall hosted by Fox News in July 2023, Trump praised President Xi, calling him a "brilliant guy" who runs 1.4 billion people with great control. He described Xi as someone straight out of central casting, highlighting his intelligence and efficiency. Trump even went as far as to say that there is no one in Hollywood quite like him.

In a Fox interview that same month, Trump praised Putin, saying he believed Putin was smarter than President Joe Biden. Trump also commended other world leaders such as Macron of France, describing them as sharp, tough, and generally vicious. He expressed concern about the current leadership, stating, "We have a man that has no clue what’s happening. It’s the most dangerous time in the history of our country."

Then-President Trump meets Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, on June 28, 2019.

Anadolu/Anadolu/Getty Images

Trump's close relationships with authoritarian leaders is a key concern for the US as the 2024 election looms. Some of his former advisors fear that if he were to win a second term, there would be significant changes in how the US sees itself and its global responsibilities. This could involve the US withdrawing from NATO and scaling back its involvement in other defense partnerships.

According to Bolton, a former advisor to Trump, there is a real risk to NATO if Trump were to be re-elected. Bolton believes that Trump would make efforts to pull the US out of the alliance.

Many former officials from the Trump administration are cautioning Ukraine about the possibility of losing support from the US while facing Russia's invasion. A senior US official who worked under both Trump and Biden expressed this concern.

According to Kelly, Trump was strongly against NATO and did not see the importance of having troops in South Korea or Japan as a deterrent force.

Editor's P/S:

The revelations about former President Trump's admiration for authoritarian leaders, including Hitler, are deeply concerning. It raises serious questions about his judgment and