Donald Trump had yet another wild day on the campaign trail on Thursday, filled with outrageous claims and eyebrow-raising remarks.
In a notable response to former chief of staff John Kelly’s assertions, Trump insisted that he’s actually the “opposite” of Adolf Hitler, after his longest-serving chief of staff John Kelly described him as a “fascist” who praised the Nazi dictator.
Kelly recounted how Trump had expressed admiration for the loyalty of Hitler’s generals, a sentiment that shocked many. When Kelly suggested he might be referring to generals from the era of Otto von Bismarck, Trump reportedly confirmed, “Yeah, yeah, Hitler’s generals.”
During an interview with Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin ahead of a rally in Las Vegas, Trump dismissed Kelly’s statements, claiming, “It’s just the opposite, actually.” He also disparaged Kelly, whom he once praised, calling him a “bully” and “weak.”
“I fired him,” Trump told Melugin. However, Kelly was not formally fired, but resigned as pressure mounted for him to leave his post. “He was a bully, he was a bad guy. And he ended up being a weak guy because all bullies end up being weak,” Trump said. “And he wasn’t a smart guy, it’s a bad combination.”
In another segment, Trump refuted any suggestion that he would endorse Hitler’s actions, while taking a jab at The Atlantic, labeling it a “failing magazine.”
The Democratic National Committee capitalized on the controversy, erecting billboards near Trump’s Las Vegas rally with the provocative message: “Trump: ‘I Need the Kind of Generals That Hitler Had.’”
Q. What’s your response to what Gen. John Kelly said about you?
Trump: He’s a bully. He’s weak. He’s a bad guy. He’s not a smart guy. He said I’m like Hitler. It couldn't be further from the truth. The opposite is true, actually. pic.twitter.com/RDyy0xi01n
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) October 24, 2024
Adding to the day’s absurdity, Trump—using his “John Barron” persona— called into a town hall event hosted by Chris Cuomo on NewsNation, asking, “How brilliant is Donald J Trump?” Ohio Senator JD Vance eagerly responded, showering Trump with compliments about his intelligence.
Trump just called into the News Nation town hall with JD Vance to ask, “How brilliant is Donald Trump?”
JD Vance replied: “First of all, sir, of course, you’re very brilliant.”
It's a cult. pic.twitter.com/XfI2kxJFaG
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) October 25, 2024
At his rally, Trump claimed that Vice President Kamala Harris “absolutely bombed” at her celebrity-packed event in Atlanta, all while calling her an “enemy from within,” inflating crowd sizes at his own appearances and repeating falsehoods about immigrants.
Trump: In Georgia tonight they say that Kamala had just absolutely bombed pic.twitter.com/rHtevSmvSl
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 25, 2024
He insisted that 29,000 people had attended his staged visit to a McDonald’s, a claim that drew widespread mockery.
Trump claims 29,000 people were at the McDonald's he did his PR stunt at the other day pic.twitter.com/k1FZpVH0t4
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 25, 2024
Trump went on to spew fresh bile about Springfield, Ohio, echoing earlier derogatory comments about Haitian migrants, alleging that the town’s hospitals were overflowing with non-English speakers—a blatant dog whistle to his supporters.
Trump: Think of the words.. towns that have been invaded and conquered. They've been conquered, they've been conquered.. And we have a lot of towns that haven't yet been infected pic.twitter.com/ag6CTasjvs
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 25, 2024
Trump claims migrants are filling up the hospitals in Springfield, Ohio, so much so that people who "speak English" can't get in pic.twitter.com/lZWMWzgtt9
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 25, 2024
Throughout the day, Trump stumbled over words, including a struggle with “tip.”
Trump: "Increasing the so-called tipola— you know she she" pic.twitter.com/FpPl5D966M
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 25, 2024
Trump, slurring heavily, claims foreign leaders "really don't want me but in a certain way they do want me." pic.twitter.com/NrZHNDqifP
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 25, 2024
Clips from Trump’s remarks circulated widely on social media, highlighting the chaotic spectacle and the bizarre nature of his campaign rhetoric.
