Kelly’s comments, two weeks from Election Day, are the latest in a line of warnings from former Trump White House aides about how he views the presidency and would exercise power if returned to office.
In addition to the fascist comments, Kelly — who was Trump’s chief of staff from 2017 to 2019 — told The New York Times that the former president “certainly prefers the dictator approach to government.”
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Retired Marine General John Kelly recently made headlines with his scathing criticism of former President Donald Trump, calling him a “fascist” in a recent interview with Insider NJ. This opinion poll has sparked a heated debate among political commentators and the general public.
General Kelly, who served as Trump’s Chief of Staff from July 2017 to January 2019, has been a vocal critic of the former president since leaving the White House. In the interview with Insider NJ, Kelly did not hold back in his assessment of Trump, stating that he believes Trump’s actions and rhetoric are reminiscent of fascist leaders throughout history.
Kelly’s comments have reignited the discussion about Trump’s leadership style and the impact it has had on American democracy. While some have praised Kelly for speaking out against what they see as dangerous authoritarian tendencies in Trump, others have criticized him for not speaking out sooner or for being disloyal to a former boss.
The opinion poll conducted by Insider NJ found that a majority of respondents agreed with General Kelly’s characterization of Trump as a fascist. Many cited Trump’s divisive rhetoric, attacks on the media, and disregard for democratic norms as evidence to support this view.
However, there were also a significant number of respondents who disagreed with Kelly’s assessment, arguing that Trump’s policies and actions do not meet the definition of fascism. Some pointed to Trump’s support for conservative values and his efforts to strengthen the economy as reasons to support his presidency.
Overall, the debate over General Kelly’s view on Trump as a fascist highlights the deep political divisions in America and the ongoing struggle to define what constitutes authoritarianism in a democratic society. As the country continues to grapple with these issues, it is clear that the legacy of the Trump presidency will continue to be a topic of heated debate for years to come.