It would seem the extent to which Trump “praised” these men is stating that they are intelligent humans. They both have outmaneuvered the US for decades so perhaps Trump is on to something.
Just another little dumb undisciplined habit Trump has that we look the other way at, praising monsters. Kim feeds people to dogs and has starved and murdered many. Though Putin has made statements defending Christianity and against the gender nonsense he’s largely a bloody dictator causing horror in Ukraine and Russia. Xi is horrible with a history of forced abortions, concentration camps, persecutions of Christians and imprisonments. Come on Trump! Study the picture of a stern-faced Reagan leaving the summit with Gorbachev when Gorby made unacceptable demand on the US.
It’s true. If a dictator is a ruthless genius it’s not praise but just stating fact.
It sounds weird because I and I think others like to hear these despotic evil men criticized condemned and belittled.
Trump proved already he can go up against Xi and win.