Drumpf's Love of Tyrants-Reference
Reference list of his problematic close associations/admirations.
1. Vladimir Putin (Russia)
Leader : Vladimir Putin
Period : 2000–2008, 2012–present
Regime Actions : Suppression of political opposition, control of media, military interventions (e.g., Crimea annexation, Syrian Civil War), alleged interference in foreign elections, including the 2016 U.S. election.
Supporting Cronies : Dmitry Medvedev, Sergey Lavrov, various oligarchs.
Trump's Comments :
- Admiration for Leadership Style : Trump repeatedly praised Putin's strongman image. In a 2016 interview with "Morning Joe," Trump said, “He’s running his country, and at least he’s a leader, unlike what we have in this country.”
- Defending Putin : In a 2017 interview with Bill O'Reilly, when O'Reilly called Putin a killer, Trump responded, “There are a lot of killers. You think our country’s so innocent?”
- Reason for Admiration : Trump appeared to respect Putin's ability to maintain control and project power, qualities Trump often associated with effective leadership.
Source: [NBC News] NBC News
Source: [The Washington Post] Washington Post
2. Kim Jong-un (North Korea)
Leader : Kim Jong-un
Period : 2011–present
Regime Actions : Severe human rights abuses, nuclear weapons development, suppression of dissent, strict control over information and movement of people.
Supporting Cronies : Kim Yo-jong (sister), various military leaders.
Trump's Comments :
- Personal Relationship : Trump frequently mentioned his "good relationship" with Kim. After their June 2018 summit in Singapore, Trump said, "He’s got a great personality. He’s a funny guy, he’s very smart, he’s a great negotiator. He loves his people, not that I’m surprised by that."
- Flattery : Trump referred to Kim as "very talented" and sent him flattering letters, which he described as "love letters."
Reason for Admiration : Trump seemed to value the direct and personal diplomacy he engaged in with Kim, viewing it as a breakthrough in international relations. His approach was unconventional and aimed at de-escalating nuclear tensions through personal rapport.
Source: [CNN] CNN
Source: [BBC] BBC Love Letters
3. Xi Jinping (China)
Leader : Xi Jinping
Period : 2013–present
Regime Actions : Strengthening of the Communist Party’s control, suppression of Uyghur Muslims, crackdown on Hong Kong protests, censorship, and technological surveillance.
Supporting Cronies : Li Keqiang, Wang Qishan, various party officials.
Trump's Comments :
- Respect for Power : In March 2018, after China abolished presidential term limits, Trump said, “He’s now president for life. President for life. No, he’s great. And look, he was able to do that. I think it’s great. Maybe we’ll have to give that a shot someday.”
- Praise for Trade Deals : Trump often highlighted his negotiations with Xi, praising him for being a strong leader and expressing confidence in their ability to reach agreements.
Reason for Admiration : Trump’s admiration for Xi seemed rooted in his respect for Xi's consolidation of power and the significant economic influence China holds. Trump often approached international relations from a business negotiation perspective.
Source: [The Washington Post] Washington Post
4. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (Turkey)
Leader : Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
Period : Prime Minister (2003–2014), President (2014–present)
Regime Actions : Authoritarian measures including media suppression, crackdowns on political dissent, purges following a failed coup attempt in 2016, and military operations against Kurdish forces.
Supporting Cronies : Binali Yıldırım, Hulusi Akar, various AKP members.
Trump's Comments :
- Praise for Toughness : Trump praised Erdoğan’s leadership and toughness, often referring to him as a friend. In a 2019 statement, Trump said, “President Erdoğan, he’s tough, but I get along with him very well.”
- Support during Controversial Actions : Despite criticism, Trump defended his decision to withdraw U.S. troops from northern Syria, effectively allowing Turkish military action against Kurdish forces, and subsequently invited Erdoğan to the White House.
Reason for Admiration : Trump appeared to appreciate Erdoğan’s decisive and often forceful approach to governance, which resonated with Trump’s preference for strong, assertive leadership.
Source: [NPR] NPR
Source: [The New York Times] NY Times
5. Mohammed bin Salman (Saudi Arabia)
Leader : Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS)
Period : 2017–present
Regime Actions : Crackdown on dissent, involvement in the Yemeni Civil War, economic reforms, alleged involvement in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Supporting Cronies : Various royal family members and government officials loyal to MBS.
Trump's Comments :
- Economic Partnership : Trump emphasized the economic benefits of the U.S.-Saudi relationship. After the Khashoggi murder, Trump stated, “Saudi Arabia, if we broke with them, I think your oil prices would go through the roof.”
- Defending MBS : Trump repeatedly downplayed the Crown Prince’s role in Khashoggi’s killing, emphasizing the importance of the U.S.-Saudi economic ties and strategic alliance.
Reason for Admiration : Trump’s relationship with MBS was heavily influenced by economic considerations, particularly arms sales and oil, as well as strategic interests in the Middle East.
Source: [The Guardian] The Guardian
Source: [Reuters} Reuters
6. Rodrigo Duterte (Philippines)
Leader : Rodrigo Duterte
Period : 2016–2022
Regime Actions : Extrajudicial killings in the war on drugs, suppression of political opposition, and media censorship.
Supporting Cronies : Salvador Medialdea, various loyal military and police officials.
Trump's Comments :
- Support for Drug War : In a 2017 call, Trump praised Duterte’s handling of the drug problem, saying, “I just wanted to congratulate you because I am hearing of the unbelievable job on the drug problem.”
- Invitations and Engagements : Trump invited Duterte to the White House and lauded their "great relationship."
Reason for Admiration : Trump’s praise for Duterte was linked to Duterte’s tough stance on crime, which Trump admired as a sign of strong leadership and effective governance.
Source: [The Washington Post] Washington Post
7. Saddam Hussein (Iraq)
Leader : Saddam Hussein
Period : President of Iraq (1979–2003)
Regime Actions : Brutal repression of political opponents, use of chemical weapons against Kurdish civilians, invasion of Kuwait leading to the Gulf War, suppression of Shia and Kurdish uprisings, human rights abuses.
Supporting Cronies : Ali Hassan al-Majid (Chemical Ali), Tariq Aziz, various Ba'ath Party officials.
Trump's Comments :
- Effective Handling of Terrorists : In a 2016 campaign rally, Trump stated, “Saddam Hussein was a bad guy, right? He was a bad guy, really bad guy. But you know what he did well? He killed terrorists. He did that so good. They didn't read them the rights, they didn't talk. They were a terrorist, it was over.”
Reason for Remarks : Trump’s comments seemed to focus on Hussein’s ruthless efficiency in dealing with perceived threats, which Trump viewed as a pragmatic approach to counter-terrorism despite acknowledging Hussein's overall brutality.
Source: [The New York Times] NY Times
8. Muammar Gaddafi (Libya)
Leader : Muammar Gaddafi
Period : Leader of Libya (1969–2011)
Regime Actions : Suppression of political dissent, support for international terrorism, extravagant personal lifestyle, violent suppression of the 2011 Libyan uprising which eventually led to his ousting and death.
Supporting Cronies : Abdullah Senussi, various members of the Revolutionary Command Council.
Trump's Comments :
- Business Dealings : In a 2011 interview with Fox News, Trump said, “I rented him a piece of land. He paid me more for one night than the land was worth for two years, and then I didn't let him use the land. That's what we should be doing.”
Reason for Remarks : Trump’s comments were more about his own business acumen and dealing with Gaddafi rather than direct praise for Gaddafi’s leadership. It highlighted Trump’s pride in negotiating profitable deals even with controversial figures.
Source: [The Washington Post] Washington Post
9. Mao Zedong (China)
Leader : Mao Zedong
Period : Chairman of the Communist Party of China (1949–1976)
Regime Actions : Establishment of a communist state, the Great Leap Forward (leading to mass starvation), Cultural Revolution (political purges and widespread persecution), significant human rights abuses.
Supporting Cronies : Zhou Enlai, Lin Biao, various members of the Communist Party elite.
Trump's Comments :
Historical Commentary : While Trump did not frequently comment directly on Mao, he did mention the historical significance of China under Mao. In a 2016 speech, he referred to Mao as a “brilliant” figure in terms of his impact on China, despite his catastrophic policies.
Reason for Remarks : Trump's references to Mao were generally framed within a historical context, acknowledging Mao’s transformative, albeit destructive, role in Chinese history.
Source: [The Atlantic] The Atlantic
10. Benito Mussolini (Italy)
Leader : Benito Mussolini
Period : Prime Minister and Duce of Fascism (1922–1943)
Regime Actions : Establishment of a fascist state, suppression of political opposition, aggressive militarism leading to involvement in World War II, alignment with Nazi Germany.
Supporting Cronies : Italo Balbo, Galeazzo Ciano, various members of the Fascist Party.
Trump's Comments :
Quoting Mussolini : In 2016, Trump retweeted a quote attributed to Mussolini: “It is better to live one day as a lion than 100 years as a sheep.” When asked about this by NBC's Chuck Todd, Trump said, “It’s a very good quote. It’s a very interesting quote... What difference does it make whether it’s Mussolini or somebody else?”
Reason for Remarks : Trump’s retweet and subsequent defense focused on the quote's content rather than its origin, suggesting an appreciation for the sentiment of strength and leadership conveyed, irrespective of Mussolini’s notorious history.
Source: [BBC] BBC News
11. Adolf Hitler (Germany)
Leader : Adolf Hitler
Period : Chancellor and Führer of Germany (1933–1945)
Regime Actions : Establishment of a totalitarian regime, instigation of World War II, perpetration of the Holocaust, extreme nationalism and militarism, significant human rights atrocities.
Supporting Cronies : Heinrich Himmler, Joseph Goebbels, Hermann Göring, various Nazi officials.
Trump's Comments :
- Indirect Comparisons and References : Trump has not openly praised Hitler but has made controversial comments drawing indirect comparisons. For example, during a 2018 briefing, it was reported that Trump asked, “Why was there a Civil War? Why could that one not have been worked out?”
Reason for Remarks : While Trump has not praised Hitler, his comments and questions sometimes sparked discussions about historical leadership and conflict resolution, often interpreted as controversial due to the sensitive nature of Hitler's legacy.
Source: [The Washington Post] Washington Post
Hope this sheds some light on yet many more reasons why Trump is unfit for office! Please share, save, subscribe!
~~~Ginge