Former U.S. President and 2024 Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has once again found himself at the center of controversy, as his former chief of staff, retired Marine Gen. John Kelly, reveals more shocking details about his time in the Trump administration. In an interview with The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg, Kelly discussed a disturbing exchange in which Trump asked him to emulate Adolf Hitler’s generals.
Kelly, who has grown increasingly critical of Trump since leaving his role as chief of staff, previously disclosed Trump’s fascination with Hitler. In The Divider: Trump in the White House, a book by Peter Baker and Susan Glasser, the former president was quoted asking Kelly, “Why can’t you be like the German generals?” Trump reportedly expressed frustration over what he saw as the military’s reluctance to comply with his directives fully.
Trump’s Misunderstanding of History
During the interview, Kelly shared that Trump didn’t seem to grasp the full extent of how Hitler’s generals had opposed the dictator. When Kelly informed him that Hitler’s generals had tried to assassinate the dictator on multiple occasions, Trump rejected the notion, insisting they were “totally loyal.”
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Kelly provided more insight into this unsettling conversation. “When Trump raised the subject of ‘German generals,’ I asked him, ‘Do you mean Bismarck’s generals?’ I knew he didn’t know who Bismarck was or about the Franco-Prussian War. Then I asked, ‘Do you mean the kaiser’s generals? Surely you can’t mean Hitler’s generals?’ And he said, ‘Yeah, yeah, Hitler’s generals,’” Kelly recounted. He explained to Trump that prominent Nazi general Erwin Rommel was forced to commit suicide after participating in a plot to overthrow Hitler. Trump appeared unfamiliar with Rommel, further highlighting his lack of historical knowledge.
Concerns About Trump’s Fitness for Office
Kelly’s revelation is part of a broader critique from high-ranking former military officials who worked under Trump. Many, including Kelly, have voiced concerns that Trump is unfit for a second term in office. Vice President Kamala Harris has frequently emphasized these concerns during her campaign appearances, interviews, and debates. She often cites these testimonies to warn the public about the dangers of Trump’s leadership style.
