PENNSYLVANIA, USA: Vice President Kamala Harris stated that former President Donald Trump is a fascist during a CNN town hall on Wednesday, intensifying the debate surrounding his political character just weeks before the election.
Harris’ remarks came in response to statements made by Trump’s former chief of staff, John Kelly, who revealed troubling details about Trump’s admiration for Adolf Hitler and his authoritarian tendencies.
Kelly, who served in the Trump administration from 2017 to 2019, disclosed that Trump had praised Hitler for “doing some good things” and expressed a desire for generals like Hitler’s. These revelations have stirred controversy, with Harris calling Kelly’s warnings a “911 call to the American people” and underscoring the threat Trump poses to the country’s security and democratic values.
Harris emphasized that Trump’s admiration for dictators, including his focus on personal loyalty over constitutional allegiance, revealed dangerous tendencies. She warned that if reelected, Trump could act unchecked, as many of those in his first administration who restrained his impulses may not return.
Kelly’s interview, published in The New York Times and The Atlantic, follows other criticisms from former Trump officials, who have raised concerns about the former president’s mental fitness and authoritarian leadership style. Kelly also accused Trump of making derogatory comments about veterans, referring to those killed in combat as “suckers” and “losers.” These accounts align with Trump’s divisive rhetoric throughout his presidency and reelection campaign.
While Harris and her supporters see these warnings as critical in the lead-up to the election, Trump and his campaign have denied the allegations, calling Kelly’s comments fabricated. Despite these denials, polls indicate a close race, and both Harris and Trump are focused on persuading undecided voters. Harris has been working to highlight the risks of Trump’s return to office, appealing to independent voters and moderate Republicans by using Kelly’s statements as evidence of Trump’s unsuitability for the presidency.
Harris’ comments, combined with Kelly’s revelations, are part of a larger effort to emphasize the potential dangers of a second Trump term. As election day approaches, the debate over Trump’s authoritarian leanings and the future of American democracy intensifies.
