Donald Trump On Kim Jong-un "You Gotta Give Him Credit"

Trump seemed to speak favorably North Korea's leader at a rally on Saturday following the country's alleged H-Bomb test.

GOP front runner Donald Trump appeared to be praising North Korean despot Kim Jong-un at a rally on Saturday when he said of the leader, “You gotta give him credit.” Referring to Jong-un's ability to get rid of his opponents, Trump noted, “Even though it’s a culture, it’s a cultural thing. He goes in, he takes over and he’s the boss. It’s incredible.” He added that it is impressive that Jong-un did all of this at such a young age. “How many young guys, what is he 26 or 25 when his father died, take over these tough generals?” he added. Trump also referred to the North Korean leader as a “maniac” saying, “If you look at this guy, he’s a maniac. But you gotta give him credit.” These remarks come just days after North Korea alarmed the world by claiming to allegedly test a Hydrogen Bomb in the northern part of the country. Although the event did register as an explosion of some sort, the White House disputed that it was in fact an H-bomb. 

Trump has been widely criticized for his remarks about Kim Jong-un, as some take it to mean that Trump supports the leader and the means in which he rose to power. He received similar criticism after his acceptance of Vladimir Putin’s praise in December. Speaking to ABC, Putin said that Donald Trump is, “a very colorful person. Talent, with any doubt," to which Trump responded that it is a, "great honor to be so nicely complimented by a man so highly respected within his own country and beyond.” Ben Carson supported Trump’s response saying,”If someone pays you a compliment, you take it.” That seems to be in line with Trump’s thinking as well. “When people call you talented, it’s always good,” Trump said, “Especially when that person heads up Russia.” Mitt Romney and Jeb Bush were among the critics of Trump’s acceptance of the praise. Bush took to Twitter writing, “A true freedom-loving conservative wouldn’t be flattered by praise from a despot like Putin. #ChaosCandidate.”

-Bronte Price

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