Former Chief of Staff Reveals Trump's Admiration for Hitler and Authoritarian Leaders

In the recently released book, "The Return of Great Powers," authored by CNN journalist Jim Scitto, former White House chief of staff John Kelly sheds light on an intriguing aspect of Donald Trump's leadership—his admiration for historical figures like Hitler and a penchant for authoritarian leaders.

The revelations within the book, unveiled on the third of this month, paint a vivid picture of Trump's admiration for strong and tough leaders. 

According to Kelly, Trump considered Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán "fantastic," praised Chinese President Xi Jinping as "brilliant," and had a rather lenient view of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, whom he deemed "an okay guy." 

However, the most startling revelation comes in the form of Trump's positive comments about Adolf Hitler, with Kelly quoting him as saying, "Well, Hitler did some good things."

The book outlines Trump's perspective on historical figures and current leaders, providing readers with a deeper understanding of his worldview. Amidst recent polls placing Trump as a frontrunner for the upcoming presidential elections in November, the disclosures add a layer of complexity to the political landscape.

Furthermore, Kelly details Trump's opinions on Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, noting Trump's belief that without NATO, Putin would not engage in certain actions. 

This revelation comes at a critical time when concerns within the NATO alliance about Trump's potential return to the White House are on the rise, particularly regarding the fear that he may encourage actions contrary to the alliance's interests.

In a noteworthy development, Trump hosted Prime Minister Orbán for an unusual visit to his Florida residence, drawing criticism from President Biden, who highlighted Orbán's stated opposition to democracy. The book suggests that during this meeting, Trump indicated that, if re-elected, he would not provide financial support to Ukraine—an assertion openly supported by Orbán.

Trump's affinity for leaders who wield power in an authoritarian manner is further explored in the book, with insights from former national security adviser John Bolton. Bolton describes Trump's preference for leaders like Erdogan in Turkey, emphasizing Trump's admiration for those who do not seek approval for their actions.

Kelly adds an intriguing dimension by sharing Trump's fascination with the notion of loyalty, attributing it to Hitler's ability to maintain the allegiance of his senior officers. The former chief of staff clarifies that Trump was unaware of the historical context, believing that loyalty would be unwavering among his appointed generals.

As the narrative unfolds, the book delves into the complexities of Trump's worldview, offering readers a comprehensive look at his admiration for authoritarian leaders and historical figures. With the upcoming elections looming, these revelations add a layer of complexity to the political discourse, prompting further reflection on the potential implications of Trump's return to the White House.