Florida Republican Rep. Mike Waltz took to CNN on Wednesday to fiercely defend former President Donald Trump against claims of fascism, in response to recent comments made by Trump’s former Chief of Staff, John Kelly. During the interview with anchor Brianna Keilar, Waltz pushed back against accusations that Trump admired Adolf Hitler or exhibited fascist tendencies, labeling the claims as nonsensical and politically motivated.
Kelly’s allegations, which surfaced in The New York Times, have sparked intense debate just weeks before the upcoming election. He asserted that Trump “met the definition of a fascist” and suggested that Trump had expressed admiration for figures like Hitler. However, Waltz expressed disbelief over Kelly’s statements, arguing that Trump’s actions during his presidency directly contradict any such claims.
Throughout the interview, Waltz highlighted Trump’s dedication to military families, particularly Gold Star families—those who have lost loved ones in military service. He emphasized that Trump had shown a great deal of care and compassion toward these families, including those affected by the 2021 bombing at Abbey Gate in Kabul, Afghanistan.
“He spent hours with these families, promising transparency and helping them heal from their loss,” Waltz stated, pointing to public praise Trump received from some of these families for his willingness to listen and offer support. The congressman contrasted these moments of compassion with Kelly’s claims, arguing that they don’t align with the picture of a man who could be accused of being a fascist or praising Hitler.
One of Waltz’s strongest rebuttals against the accusations was Trump’s significant support for Israel during his time in office. “You’re saying he’s praising Hitler, yet this is a president that has done more for Israel than any president in modern history,” Waltz argued.
He pointed to several key actions taken by the Trump administration, including moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, recognizing Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and brokering peace agreements between Israel and several Arab nations through the Abraham Accords. These steps, Waltz noted, earned Trump widespread support from Jewish Americans and Israel.
Waltz also highlighted the rising concern over antisemitism, particularly on college campuses and within far-left movements. “Jewish Americans are increasingly supporting Trump in response to the surge of antisemitism we’re seeing,” he said, adding that this further contradicts the narrative of Trump having any connection to fascist ideals.
Keilar questioned the timing of Kelly’s statements, noting that they came just 13 days before the election, a period of heightened political tension. She speculated that Kelly’s comments might be a response to Trump’s recent aggressive rhetoric, particularly his remarks labeling political opponents like Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Adam Schiff as “enemies from within.”
Waltz, however, dismissed this notion and suggested that Kelly’s statements stem from a deep personal disdain for Trump. He also argued that the left’s own actions, including efforts to undermine political checks and balances, are more indicative of fascist tendencies than anything Trump has said or done.
“I see the left trying to eliminate essential checks and balances in our system,” Waltz said, pointing to progressive calls to pack the Supreme Court, abolish the Senate filibuster, and get rid of the Electoral College. “Fascism is about concentrating power without opposition, and it’s the far-left that’s actively trying to dismantle the very mechanisms that keep our government balanced.”
Throughout the interview, Waltz encouraged voters to focus on pressing issues like the economy, crime, and the southern border, rather than being distracted by what he described as rhetorical allegations. He emphasized that Trump’s actions as president reflected his commitment to protecting American interests, promoting peace, and supporting military families.
Keilar pushed back, arguing that Trump had suggested using the military to target political opponents and backed censorship efforts. Waltz dismissed these claims, maintaining that Trump never exhibited dictatorial behavior while in office.
Instead, Waltz reiterated Trump’s foreign policy achievements, particularly the historic signing of the Abraham Accords, which brought together Israel and several Arab nations in peace agreements. “We literally had peace deals being signed on the White House lawn,” Waltz said. “Jewish Americans celebrated Trump for that. Doesn’t sound like a Hitler to me.”
The Biden administration was quick to weigh in on the controversy. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre echoed Kelly’s characterization of Trump, stating that the Biden-Harris administration shares the view that Trump embodies fascist principles.
However, Waltz remained steadfast in his defense of Trump, accusing the left of weaponizing language and trying to distort the former president’s record. He argued that the real issues facing Americans—economic instability, rising crime rates, and border security—should be the focus as the election draws closer, not baseless attacks and political smears.
As the election approaches, accusations like those from Kelly and rebuttals from figures like Waltz will continue to shape the political landscape, keeping the conversation around Trump as heated as ever. Whether these claims resonate with voters, however, remains to be seen.
🚨 #BREAKING: Karine Jean-Pierre just stated that Joe Biden believes Trump is a “fascist” and a “dictator”
This comes just hours after Kamala Harris ONCE AGAIN compared Trump to Adolf Hitler
THEY WANT HIM DEÂD.
This is a call to action by the White House, and it’s sick.
These… pic.twitter.com/ykd3oXJWp9
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) October 23, 2024
2 Comments
Yes, the irony is that everything the left has done is fascist… they want all the power and have proven so time after time. Every time the right gets supreme court justices that are conservative AND constitutional advocates the left wants to dilute the court. This is just another attempt at a power grab, can you imagine how much worse it could be if not for the House being Republican, and a few Senators stopping the striking of the filibuster?
It is the old saying… point a finger at me or the Republicans/Trump there are many more pointing back at you.
The “mainstream” media is working for the DNC, bought and paid for by the likes of Soros and other media moguls.
Mainstream commentators are saying that if Trump wins, the Marxist factions will melt down America.
It used to be just “conspiracy theories”, now it’s common knowledge.