In a jaw-dropping series of interviews released just weeks before the 2024 election, John Kelly, the retired Marine general and former White House chief of staff under Donald Trump, has dropped a bombshell: Trump embodies the very definition of a “fascist” and yearns for a “dictator approach” to governance.
Kelly’s explosive remarks, reported Tuesday by The New York Times, spotlight a chilling vision of the former president’s leadership style and ambitions. He revealed that Trump openly admired the kind of loyalty exhibited by Hitler’s generals, leaving many to question the former president’s grasp on democratic principles.
During a candid discussion with The Atlantic, Kelly also recounted a shocking conversation in which Trump expressed a desire for generals akin to those of Nazi Germany. “He said, ‘I need the kind of generals that Hitler had. People who were totally loyal to him, that follow orders,’” Kelly revealed.
When Kelly challenged Trump’s knowledge of history, noting that Rommel, a prominent Nazi general, had committed suicide after plotting against Hitler, Trump doubled down on his disturbing admiration.
Trump’s campaign vehemently denied these claims, with adviser Alex Pfeiffer asserting, “This is absolutely false. President Trump never said this.” But the backlash was swift. Democrats wasted no time in condemning the statements. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz expressed outrage at a rally, declaring, “Folks, the guardrails are gone. Trump is descending into this madness!”
Kelly’s critiques of Trump paint a picture of a man who never accepted the limitations of democracy. He shared that Trump’s mindset mirrored that of an authoritarian leader, saying, “He’s certainly in the far-right area, admires people who are dictators.” Kelly emphasized that Trump views power as a means to do whatever he wants, regardless of legality.
In another alarming revelation, Kelly disclosed that Trump has praised Hitler, stating, “You know, Hitler did some good things, too.” This astonishing admission adds fuel to the fire, as it highlights a troubling pattern of admiration for tyrannical leaders.
Kelly’s revelations are underscored by a series of shocking incidents that reveal Trump’s troubling attitudes toward the military and loyalty.
The Atlantic detailed moments where Trump expressed frustration with American generals who swore allegiance to the Constitution rather than him, emphasizing his desire for unquestioning loyalty.
“Remember, Donald Trump, throughout his presidency, was frustrated by the generals — or ‘my generals,’ as he called them … because they wouldn’t sort of mindlessly listen to him or follow his orders,” said Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic.
The newspaper also reported that Trump was furious upon learning the cost of a funeral for Fort Hood Pfc. Vanessa Guillen, a servicemember tragically murdered in her unit. Despite having offered to cover the expenses, Trump allegedly never fulfilled that promise.
The report, based on accounts from two witnesses and meeting notes, revealed that when presented with the $60,000 bill, Trump reacted by saying, “It doesn’t cost 60,000 bucks to bury a f–king Mexican!” He then instructed his then-chief of staff, Mark Meadows, not to pay the funeral costs, commenting, “F–king people, trying to rip me off.”
In response to the claims, Trump’s campaign communications director, Alex Pfeiffer, vehemently denied the allegations, calling them “an outrageous lie from The Atlantic two weeks before the election.”
As the clock ticks down to Election Day, these revelations from one of Trump’s closest former aides serve as a stark warning. The narrative paints a portrait of a man who seeks power without restraint, raising alarming questions about the future of American democracy under his potential return to the Oval Office.