In a recent address in Concord, New Hampshire, former President Donald Trump sparked controversy by referring to authoritarian leaders like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un as “very fine people,” as reported by Raw Story on January 19, 2024. During the speech, Trump appeared critical of his former United Nations ambassador, Nikki Haley, suggesting she is unfit for the presidency.
In his remarks, Trump stated, “She cannot do this job,” while praising Putin, Kim Jong Un, and other foreign dictators as “very fine people you have to deal with.” This statement drew strong reactions from various quarters, with critics condemning Trump for seemingly endorsing leaders with questionable human rights records.
The use of the phrase “very fine people” is particularly noteworthy due to its association with Trump’s remarks following the 2017 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. At that time, he claimed there were “very fine people on both sides,” facing widespread criticism for equating neo-Nazis and white supremacists with those opposing racism.
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The recurrence of this phrase in the context of international relations has sparked outrage, with observers expressing concerns about Trump’s apparent willingness to downplay the actions of authoritarian regimes. MSNBC personality Mehdi Hasan noted a consistent pattern in Trump’s characterization of both domestic and foreign figures.
The episode prompted discussions about Trump’s leadership style and decision-making processes during his tenure. Washington bureau chief for Mother Jones, David Corn, raised questions about Trump’s judgment in appointing Nikki Haley and subsequently criticizing her abilities.
Senior editor for National Review, Jay Nordlinger, condemned Trump’s characterization of dictators as “very fine people,” emphasizing the need to recognize them as murderous dictators rather than individuals deserving praise.
Democratic lawmaker Adam Schiff seized on Trump’s statement, accusing him of cozying up to nations with problematic track records, stating, “Tonight, Donald Trump called Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un ‘very fine people.’ He’s not hiding who his friends are – and they’re no friends of the United States.”
The use of such terminology to describe leaders with contentious reputations has raised concerns about potential implications for U.S. foreign policy and diplomatic relations. Expert on authoritarianism, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, criticized Trump’s equivalence between Communists and Fascists, highlighting what she perceives as a troubling perspective on political ideologies.
