Former Marine General John Kelly, who served as the longest-tenured chief of staff under former President Donald Trump, has delivered a scathing critique of Trump’s leadership. Describing Trump’s approach as “dictatorial” and “fascist,” Kelly expressed serious concerns about Trump’s fitness to return to office.
Kelly stands out as one of the most prominent White House officials from the Trump administration to openly challenge their former boss. He stated, “Certainly the former president is in the far-right area; he’s certainly an authoritarian and admires dictators – he has said that. So he certainly falls into the general definition of fascist, for sure.”
Further mentioning Trump’s dismissiveness, Kelly accused him of making disparaging remarks about individuals who serve in the military, including those who are disabled, injured, or killed in action.
In a sharp response, a Trump campaign spokesperson claimed that Kelly has “beclowned” himself and attributed his comments to what they termed “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” The spokesperson asserted, “President Trump has always honored the service and sacrifice of all of our military men and women.”
Meanwhile, Trump’s Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, is leveraging the discontent among former officials, engaging with them to appeal to moderate Republican voters. During a recent town hall, Trump downplayed the significance of dissent within his ranks, asserting that only a “small number” of former officials are publicly opposing his campaign.
Other former officials, including Trump’s ex-Defense Secretary Mark Esper, National Security Advisor John Bolton, and Vice President Mike Pence, have also voiced criticisms of Trump since leaving the administration. Reports indicate that recent remarks from Trump regarding the use of military force against internal “enemies” prompted Kelly’s latest public statements, further illustrating the growing divide within the party. Additionally, sources indicate that during his tenure, Kelly frequently corrected Trump regarding his understanding of historical figures, notably Adolf Hitler, in discussions about military management.
