With just under two weeks until Election Day, former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly has publicly criticized former President Donald Trump, calling him “authoritarian” and describing his leadership style as akin to fascism. The remarks, made during an interview with The New York Times, have sparked a fresh wave of controversy as Vice President Kamala Harris uses them to strengthen her argument that Trump poses a significant threat to democracy.
John Kelly, a retired Marine Corps General and Trump’s longest-serving chief of staff did not hold back in his latest comments about his former boss. In his interview, Kelly detailed how he believes Trump’s approach to governing fits the definition of fascism — a far-right, authoritarian ideology often characterized by dictatorial leadership, suppression of opposition, and ultranationalism.
“Certainly, in my experience, those are the kinds of things that he thinks would work better in terms of running America,” Kelly said. “He’s certainly an authoritarian, admires people who are dictators — he has said that. So he certainly falls into the general definition of fascist, for sure.”
Kelly also spoke about Trump’s inability to empathize with service members, recalling multiple instances where the former president disparaged those who served in the military. Trump infamously referred to fallen soldiers as “suckers and losers,” comments which Kelly confirmed Trump made on several occasions.
Perhaps most notably, Kelly recalled that Trump would occasionally remark that Adolf Hitler “did some good things,” a comment that Kelly interpreted as reflecting a dangerous lack of understanding of history. “It would be pretty hard to make an argument that [Hitler] did anything good,” Kelly said. “But he [Trump] said it more than once.”
In response to Kelly’s comments, Trump’s campaign quickly dismissed the claims, accusing Kelly of fabricating stories. “John Kelly has beclowned himself with these debunked stories he has fabricated,” said Steven Cheung, a Trump campaign spokesperson. “President Trump has always honored the service and sacrifice of all of our military men and women.”
Cheung further accused Kelly of failing to effectively serve Trump during his tenure as chief of staff and suggested that Kelly’s statements are rooted in personal grievances rather than facts. Trump himself has faced criticism from multiple former officials, including his former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Vice President Mike Pence, and National Security Adviser John Bolton, who have expressed concerns over his leadership style.
Vice President Kamala Harris has been quick to capitalize on Kelly’s scathing critique of Trump, incorporating his comments into her campaign message. Harris, who has been actively courting moderate Republicans and undecided voters in key battleground states, described Kelly’s remarks as a “window into who Donald Trump is” and warned against giving him a second term.
“So the bottom line is this,” Harris said during a campaign event. “We know what Donald Trump wants — he wants unchecked power. The question, in 13 days, will be what do the American people want?”
Harris has highlighted the comments from Kelly and other former Trump officials as evidence of the risks she believes Trump poses to the nation. In a statement from the vice president’s residence, she condemned Trump’s alleged admiration for authoritarian figures and his past remarks referencing Hitler. “It is deeply troubling and incredibly dangerous that Donald Trump would invoke Adolf Hitler, the man who is responsible for the deaths of 6 million Jews,” Harris said. “This is about unchecked power, and it’s about undermining democracy.”
Kelly’s decision to speak out was motivated by Trump’s recent comments about using the military to confront “enemies from within.” Kelly also referenced previous incidents during his time as chief of staff when he had to correct Trump’s understanding of how Hitler’s dictatorship operated in Germany, as Trump made comparisons about how he believed the U.S. military should be managed.
Despite his harsh criticisms, Kelly has not endorsed Harris or any other candidate. However, his statements add to a growing list of Trump-era officials who have spoken out against the former president, providing further ammunition for Trump’s political opponents.
With the November 5 election fast approaching, Kelly’s comments could sway some voters, particularly those who remain undecided. The tight race between Trump and Harris has both candidates focusing their campaigns on key swing states, with Harris making a concerted effort to appeal to centrist voters who may be concerned about Trump’s rhetoric and actions.
Harris has framed the upcoming election as a referendum on democracy itself, urging voters to reject what she sees as Trump’s authoritarian tendencies. “This election is about whether we will continue to be a democracy where power is shared, or whether we will become a nation where one person can do whatever he wants,” Harris said.
As Election Day draws near, the race continues to heat up, with John Kelly’s explosive remarks adding a new dimension to the political landscape. Kelly’s claims about Trump’s leadership style, his past remarks about the military, and his alleged admiration for authoritarian figures have given Harris and her supporters fresh material to galvanize voters.
Meanwhile, Trump’s campaign has been quick to dismiss the claims, labeling them as lies from a disgruntled former staffer. With only 13 days left until voters head to the polls, the stakes could not be higher, and every word from key figures like Kelly may shape the final days of the race.