Former President Donald Trump was left astonished after a raucous reception from Michigan voters at a recent rally, following his controversial comments about Chinese President Xi Jinping.
In a video posted on his official X handle (formerly Twitter), journalist Aaron Rupar shared a clip from Trump’s Grand Rapids rally. During the speech, Trump praised Xi Jinping, describing him as a “brilliant man” for his ability to govern a nation of 1.4 billion people with strict control.
Trump said, “And, you know, the press gets angry. They said, is President Xi of China, is he a smart man? I said, no, he’s a brilliant man. He controls 1,400,000,000 people with an iron fist.” The former President’s admiration for Xi’s leadership was evident as he continued, “No matter what you do. No matter what you do. I say, he’s a brilliant man. They went crazy because I called him brilliant. So I’m just gonna have to say, he’s okay.”
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In his remarks, Trump contrasted Xi with President Joe Biden, stating, “He makes guys like Biden look like babies. They don’t even know whether they’re coming or going.” He further criticized the current administration, claiming, “But we have to have somebody that can protect us… Right now, we have really low IQ people in there. We have and the president in particular, he has about a 70 IQ, and he’s going against 210 and that it never works out.”
Trump’s comments sparked an immediate reaction from his audience, with thousands of supporters chanting his name. This enthusiastic response left Trump momentarily stunned, as he paused to acknowledge the fervor of his base.
The clip shared by Rupar quickly went viral, igniting a wave of reactions on social media. Critics have condemned Trump’s praise of an authoritarian leader, viewing it as a troubling endorsement of Xi’s autocratic style. Conversely, his supporters have lauded Trump’s candor and his willingness to challenge the prevailing political narrative.
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, Trump’s provocative statements and the enthusiastic responses from his supporters underscore his enduring influence within the Republican Party and the broader political arena. His remarks continue to fuel debates about his political legacy and the impact of his unique brand of populism.
With the upcoming election cycle on the horizon, the implications of Trump’s controversial statements and the ongoing political discourse will be closely monitored by observers both domestically and internationally.
