Posted on 01/09/2016 10:09:03 PM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
Republican primary front-runner Donald Trump says North Korean communist dictator Kim Jong-un deserves "credit" for the cutthroat efficiency with which he disposes of his political foes.
"If you look at North Korea, this guy, he's like a maniac, OK?" Trump said at a rally in Ottumwa, Iowa, on Saturday.
"And you've got to give him credit: How many young guys - he was like 26 or 25 when his father died - take over these tough generals and all of a sudden, you know, it's pretty amazing when you think of it. How does he do that?" he added.
“Even though it is a culture, and it’s a culture thing, he goes in, he takes over, he's the boss. It's incredible."
After North Korea's government said it successfully tested a hydrogen bomb earlier this week, Trump called the authoritarian leader a "madman playing around with nukes" and a "total nut job."
But he also insinuated that Kim had some admirable qualities.
"I mean, it's amazing that a young guy would go over and take over," Trump said Thursday on Fox News' "On the Record." "You know, you would have thought that these tough generals would have said no way this is gonna happen when the father died.
"So he's gotta have something going for him, because he kept control, which is amazing for a young person to do," he added.
Trump has previously praised other world leaders with less-than-stellar human rights records.
He called Russian President Vladimir Putin a "highly respected" man in global affairs, after the Russian strongman called Trump "bright and talented."
Isn't there someone else (after himself) to elevate with praise?
Who will be next on this list after Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin, Fidel Castro (and least we forget, Bill and Hillary Clinton)?
I thought Jimmy Carter held the banner of the man who never knew a dictator he didn't admire.
Is this some sort of megalomania admiration society?
Trump took over his father's business shortly after graduating from college, so one must wonder, is this in fact self-praise - "it's incredible, ...it's pretty amazing.., he kept control...., amazing for a young person to do..."?
How does this translate into Trump's brand "Make America Great Again?"
Is he suggesting to his audience that he can rule the United States to "get things done?"
It's a fair reflection of an opponent, not an endorsement for crimes. Trump has been warning about North Korea's nuclear weapons and development for months.
In all fairness I don’t think he’s praising Kim Jong-un as a person or a world leader.
Rather he’s stating that he’s ruthless enough to maintain and solidify power in a hereditary communistic state at such a young age. I don’t view it much differently than someone in law enforcement being surprised at the ascent of a 25-26 year old mafia Don and them being able to solidify, strengthen and dispose of any would be challengers.
You’d rarely see that outside the street gang level. Certainly not at cartel level.
Personally I’m surprised Kim Jong-un made the transition and became more ruthless than dad and granddad in such a short period of time. I really did think some of the old guard would cut him off at the knees within weeks of him trying to assume the mantle.
You have to imagine that the NK generals might plot a coup against the boy ruler if he proved to be an incompetent disaster.
Trump seems to be merely remarking that he must have something on the ball to be able to hold the reins at such an age, even with the cult-mania support the NKs have for the heir.
Trump is giving you an assessment.
You are too late. Conservativejoy has already posted this. You got schlonged. You guys gotta get in sync.LOL
I respect Satan’s ability to be the type of foe he is.
Does this mean I’m “pro-Satan?”
So, he’s telling you the truth and you can’t handle it? Kim obviously has held on to power at a very young age.
Kim Jong-Un has a t-shirt that says, “My Brother Went To Disneyland And All I Got Was This Lousy Country!” ;-)
He wasn’t praising him. He was just observing an obvious fact. Trump understands these people are ruthless and don’t be fooled. He intends to treat them in kind. Its about time we had someone who doesn’t treat the rest of the world as some kind of naive playground where everyone wants democracy and loves us. I’m far more offended by the Republican Congress that has let Obama craft a chump deal with Iran than Trump observing and being amazed that a 26 year old can manage to keep brutal control over a country. Trump I think understands our enemies for what they are. He doesn’t speak to us like we are children who need to have our feelings protected or simply tell us sweet lies about how Islam is a “religion of peace” after a every brutal islamic attack.
Reminds me of the mastermind description of the Paris terrorists, by the media, that Trump correctly was complaining about. But now the shoe is on the other foot.
You got (made up out of whole cloth):
“....He wasn’t praising him. He was just observing an obvious fact. Trump understands these people are ruthless and don’t be fooled. He intends to treat them in kind. Its about time we had someone who doesn’t treat the rest of the world as some kind of naive playground where everyone wants democracy and loves us.”
From:
“it’s incredible, ...it’s pretty amazing.., he kept control...., amazing for a young person to do...”?
Thanks for the laugh!!!
Trump is an loudmouth no filter idiot without humility or discernment.
This Reality show Art of the Deal showman is an expert at pandering to whoever he needs to achieve his goals.
Trump dogs snap up his daily populist red meat sound bite kibble.
As predicted, he is self-destructing toward the day that even his most ardent adores will cring and walk back support.
Just wait.
What if Obama gave you this assessment?
What if John Kerry gave you this assessment?
What if Hillary Clinton gave you this assessment?
Don’t play chess with the Cruz folks.
Still bitter about Scott I see.
Oh fer gawdsakes. Give it a rest will ya?
Scott Walker’s campaign is still dead.
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