In a bombshell interview, former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, a retired Marine Corps general, has sharply criticized former President Donald Trump, describing him as an authoritarian leader who fits the definition of a fascist. Kelly, who served as Trump’s chief of staff from July 2017 to January 2019, made these comments in a recent interview with The New York Times and The Atlantic just two weeks before Election Day.
Kelly stated that Trump exhibited a strong preference for dictatorial leadership during his time in office, frequently making remarks that aligned with far-right authoritarian ideologies. According to Kelly, Trump once even praised Adolf Hitler, remarking that Hitler “did some good things.” This alarming comment, according to Kelly, was just one instance that reflected Trump’s admiration for authoritarian figures.
In defining fascism, Kelly noted that it is characterized by “a far-right authoritarian, ultranationalist political ideology and movement” led by a dictatorial figure, supported by centralized autocracy, militarism, and the forcible suppression of opposition. “Certainly the former president is in the far-right area, he’s certainly an authoritarian, admires people who are dictators — he has said that. So he certainly falls into the general definition of fascist, for sure,” Kelly said.
One of Kelly’s most disturbing revelations relates to Trump’s views on the military. Kelly, a decorated general, expressed deep concern over Trump’s inability to understand why Americans serve their country in uniform. Kelly revealed that Trump would often belittle service members, calling them “suckers” and “losers” and openly mocking veterans who had been injured in combat. Kelly recounted that Trump was uncomfortable being seen with amputees, particularly veterans who had lost limbs while serving the nation.
Moreover, Kelly shared details about conversations in which Trump expressed admiration for dictators and Nazi generals, saying that he needed the type of loyalty that Hitler received from his military commanders. When Kelly attempted to correct Trump, explaining that many of Hitler’s generals had opposed him, with some, like Erwin Rommel, forced to commit suicide, Trump reportedly remained unfazed and continued to emphasize the need for unwavering loyalty from military leaders.
The revelations come at a critical moment in American politics, with Trump once again running for president. Trump’s campaign swiftly denounced Kelly’s remarks, calling them “debunked” and “fabricated.” Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign, attacked Kelly, saying that he had failed to serve the president well and accusing him of suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
Despite these denials, Kelly’s testimony aligns with previous reports and remarks from other former Trump officials who have also criticized the former president’s leadership style. Trump’s admiration for dictators and his authoritarian tendencies have been well-documented throughout his political career, and Kelly’s comments add to a growing chorus of concerns from former aides.
Kelly also expressed alarm at Trump’s disregard for the Constitution and the rule of law. He emphasized that Trump seemed unable to grasp the idea that loyalty in government should be to the Constitution, not the president personally. This view, Kelly suggested, made Trump especially dangerous as a leader.
Vice President Kamala Harris was quick to respond to Kelly’s remarks, calling Trump’s behavior “deeply troubling and incredibly dangerous.” She condemned his praise of Hitler and warned that, without people like Kelly to serve as guardrails, Trump could be even more dangerous if he were re-elected.