In a recent interview on Fox News, former President Donald Trump had nothing but glowing things to say about Chinese leader Xi Jinping, referring to him as a “brilliant man” and even praising his physical appearance. During his sit-down with Fox News host Tucker Carlson, Trump was asked about his thoughts on Xi’s intelligence, to which he replied with a resounding “top of the line.” He went on to gush about Xi, stating that he couldn’t find anyone in Hollywood who could play him, as there’s simply “nobody like that.” Trump went on to compliment one of Xi’s interpreters, calling her “very beautiful” and praising her professionalism in translating every word for the Chinese leader.
Trump has a history of praising Xi, having done so multiple times in the past. During a rally in Pennsylvania in September, he referred to Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin as “fierce” and praised Xi for his ability to rule China with an “iron fist.” At the annual World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2020, Trump even stated that he and Xi “love each other,” according to Politico. Before leaving office, he also tweeted praise about Xi on occasion, calling him “strong, sharp and powerfully focused” in a February 2020 Twitter post during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In return, Xi has referred to Trump as his “friend” at an economic forum in Russia in 2019, according to Reuters. Despite Trump’s recent legal troubles, including being charged with 34 low-level felony charges of falsifying business records in connection to a hush money payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels, he remains enthusiastic about Xi and his leadership abilities.
Neither Trump nor representatives from the Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C. have responded to requests for comment regarding the former president’s recent interview with Fox News.
