Weâve heard the presidential candidates say some wild things this election cycle, but at a recent campaign event in Iowa, Donald Trump gave credit to Kim Jong Un for ruling with an iron fist and violently consolidating power in North Korea after being crowned following his fatherâs death.
Here is the statement in question:
Hereâs the direct quote:
âIf you look at North Korea, this guy, heâs like a maniac. OK? And youâve 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, itâs pretty amazing when you think of it. How does he do that? Even though it is a culture, and itâs a cultural thing, he goes in, he takes over, heâs the boss. Itâs incredible. He wiped out the uncle, he wiped out this one, that one. This guy doesnât play games and we canât play games with him. Because he really does have missiles, and he really does have nukes.â
I will leave it up to you if Donald Trumpâs comments regarding Kim Jong Unâs ability to hold power through executing those whom he deems to be a threat were appropriate or not, but they seem much more generousâand outspokenâthan those traditionally made by Americaâs political leadership.
Donald Trump has also taken a different approach when talking about Vladimir Putin, resulting in what seems to be a blossoming long-distance bromance between the two men. If anything else, Trump clearly sees foreign relations among the worldâs ruling elite through a different prism than what we are accustomed to here in America. The question is whether this is a good thing or not?
Contact the author at Tyler@jalopnik.com.
Photo credits: AP
