Vice President Kamala Harris intensified her criticism of Donald Trump on Wednesday, calling him a “fascist” following explosive comments from Trump’s former chief of staff, John Kelly. In interviews with The New York Times and The Atlantic, Kelly, a retired Marine Corps general, revealed that Trump once praised Adolf Hitler while in office and placed personal loyalty above the Constitution.
Harris Responds to Kelly’s Revelations
Speaking at a CNN town hall, Harris said Kelly’s comments offer a glimpse into who Trump “really is” as a leader and the kind of president he would be if reelected. When asked directly if she believed Trump was a fascist, Harris replied, “Yes, I do,” and reiterated her concerns about his admiration for dictators, warning that Trump would be even more dangerous in a second term.
“911 Call to the American People”
Harris seized on Kelly’s remarks, calling them a “911 call to the American people.” With just under two weeks until Election Day, Harris is using Kelly’s warnings to underscore her argument that Trump is unfit for office, highlighting his disregard for constitutional norms and his affinity for authoritarian leaders.
Kelly’s Unproven Claims
Kelly’s revelations, published in The New York Times and The Atlantic, include allegations that Trump praised Hitler by saying, “You know, Hitler did some good things, too.” Kelly also recalled Trump expressing a desire for generals like those who served Hitler, rather than those loyal to the Constitution. According to Kelly, Trump’s vision of leadership involved a personal, dictatorial style, free from legal constraints.
Trump Dismisses Allegations
Trump quickly denied Kelly’s claims, calling them fabricated. He attacked Kelly on his Truth Social platform, dismissing him as weak and accusing him of lying. Trump’s campaign also rejected Harris’ comments, accusing her of spreading “outright lies and falsehoods.”
Harris Urges Americans to Reject Trump
Harris has made it clear that she believes Trump’s return to the presidency would pose a serious threat to American democracy. She stressed that the former president, if reelected, would no longer have advisors to restrain his worst impulses and would be free to pursue policies rooted in personal loyalty rather than national interest.
Military Leaders Criticize Trump
Kelly is not the first high-ranking military official to raise concerns about Trump’s leadership. Former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley and former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis have both described Trump as a threat to democracy, with Milley going so far as to call him “fascist to the core.”
The Race Heats Up
With the race tightening in key swing states, both Trump and Harris are crisscrossing the country in the final days before the election. Harris’ campaign has focused on rallying independent voters and using endorsements from former Republicans like Liz Cheney to convince undecided voters to reject Trump.
Support from Veterans
Despite the controversy, Trump still enjoys strong support among military veterans. Polls show that a significant portion of veterans and their households remain loyal to the former president, with many backing him in the Republican primary. This loyalty could prove crucial in swing states where veteran support could tip the balance.
