Recent revelations have uncovered Donald Trump’s unsettling fascination with authoritarianism and military strongmen. A report from The Atlantic highlights Trump’s troubling comments regarding the power dynamics of dictatorship, showcasing his admiration for figures such as Adolf Hitler and the structure of their militaries.
According to sources who spoke anonymously to The Atlantic, Trump expressed a desire for military leaders who would demonstrate absolute loyalty, stating, “I need the kind of generals that Hitler had.” During a tense discussion with then-Chief of Staff John Kelly, a former Marine general, Trump lamented, “Why can’t you be like the German generals?” Kelly attempted to clarify that many of those generals had plotted against Hitler and even tried to assassinate him. However, Trump remained fixated on the idea that these generals were unwaveringly loyal to the dictator.
Kelly recounted that he tried to steer Trump’s thinking by referencing historical figures like Bismarck, but Trump’s knowledge of history seemed limited. He ultimately insisted that he was referring to “Hitler’s generals,” demonstrating a concerning lack of understanding about military history.
Trump’s comments extended beyond historical admiration; during the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, he lamented that the U.S. military was not as ruthless as its Chinese counterpart, alluding to the Tiananmen Square massacre. This fixation on a more authoritarian military approach reflects a broader theme of Trump’s disdain for the traditional values of the U.S. military.
His actions have often contradicted his rhetoric regarding military respect. In August, Trump faced backlash for filming a campaign video in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery, where fallen soldiers are laid to rest. This incident highlighted his apparent disregard for the sanctity of military memorials, further exacerbated by a history of disrespectful remarks about military personnel.
Trump’s approach has drawn ire from veterans and military advocates alike. Earlier, he sparked outrage by claiming that a Presidential Medal of Freedom he awarded to a donor was “much better” than the Medal of Honor, which veterans view as the nation’s highest military honor. This sentiment echoed his previous controversial remarks, where he allegedly referred to fallen soldiers as “suckers and losers.”
In another incident that illustrated his complicated relationship with military service, Trump promised to help cover the funeral costs of Army private Vanessa Guillén, who was tragically murdered by a fellow soldier. However, he reportedly balked at the expense, questioning why it would cost “60,000 bucks to bury a fucking Mexican,” ultimately refusing to provide financial support.
Trump’s behavior following Senator John McCain’s death in 2018 further underscores his disconnect with military honor and sacrifice. He reportedly criticized aides for honoring McCain with lowered flags, labeling the war hero a “loser.” This comment sparked outrage and demonstrated his struggle to reconcile his political ambitions with the values of service and sacrifice that many Americans hold dear.
