Unprecedented Praise for Autocrats: Former Trump Advisers Warn of Reversal in US Foreign Policy should He Win
The worldview of former President Donald J. Trump towards autocratic leaders, as expressed in private conversations with his senior advisers, could potentially reverse decades-old US foreign policy should he secure a second term in the presidential election. According to multiple sources who served under Trump, his admiration for leaders such as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and even Adolf Hitler, raises significant concerns about his suitability to lead the country in the Great Power clashes that could be coming.
Former White House Chief of Staff Retired General John Kelly shared insights into Trump’s perspective on foreign leaders with News Finder, revealing that he believed the United States had goaded these leaders by pushing them into a corner. Kelly explained, “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 fondness for Orbán was on full display during a gathering at Mar-a-Lago, just days after securing the Republican nomination. Trump hailed Orbán as “the boss” and a “great leader,” a view he’s continued to hold despite criticism from democracies worldwide.
The root of Trump’s admiration for these leaders, according to former advisers, stems from his envy of their perceived power. Former National Security Advisor John Bolton noted that Trump “likes dealing with other big guys” like Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is known for authoritarian rule. Bolton added that Trump “kind of likes that [Erdogan] gets to put people in jail and you don’t have to ask anybody’s permission.”
Trump’s admiration for Adolf Hitler, who led Nazi Germany during World War II, is particularly alarming. According to Kelly, Trump once remarked that “Hitler did some good things,” specifically referencing the economic rebuilding of Germany before the war. However, this rebuilt economy was eventually used against Europe and the world during the Holocaust.
Bolton also recounted Trump’s comment that “Hitler may have been the smartest guy in his cabinet,” suggesting that Trump envied Hitler’s ability to maintain loyalty from senior officers. However, it is worth noting that several German generals, such as Claus von Stauffenberg and Henning von Tresckow, did attempt to assassinate Hitler due to their opposition to his ideology and actions.
When asked for comment on these allegations, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung did not address the substance of the former advisers’ statements but instead labeled them as suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
Trump’s admiration for autocratic leaders is not a new revelation. However, his former advisers warn that a president who consistently praises those opposed to US interests could lead the country into uncharted waters, potentially including pulling the United States out of NATO and reducing its commitment to defense alliances.
According to a senior US official who served under both Trump and Biden, “US support for Ukraine would end” if Trump were to win the 2024 election. This concern is particularly pertinent as Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine, making the situation a pressing matter for the international community.
The former advisers’ warnings also highlight the potential dangers of Trump’s disdain for the separation of powers and his belief in the power of personal charisma and diplomacy. If Trump were to win a second term, the United States’ vision of itself and its role in the world could undergo a fundamental shift.
Trump’s ongoing praise for Xi Jinping and Putin in his 2024 campaign further underscores the concerns raised by his former advisers. In an interview with Fox News, Trump described Xi as “brilliant” and noted that Putin was smarter than President Joe Biden. These comments have raised concerns about the potential consequences should Trump be reelected.
As the 2024 election approaches, these warnings from Trump’s former advisers serve as a reminder of the potential dangers that could arise should a president with admiration for autocratic leaders and disdain for democratic norms secure another term.
