In a striking public condemnation, former White House Chief of Staff and Marine General John Kelly has offered a searing assessment of his former boss, Donald Trump, describing the former president as an authoritarian who lacks empathy, undermines democratic principles, and holds disdain for military service and sacrifice. Kelly, who served in multiple capacities under Trump, including as Secretary of Homeland Security, has broken his relative silence to voice his concerns, speaking to major publications about the dangers he believes Trump represents to the future of American democracy.
In an exclusive interview with The New York Times, Kelly painted a damning portrait of Trump, one that aligns with many of the criticisms lodged by his detractors, but carries additional weight coming from one of his most senior former advisors. Though Kelly emphasized that he is not endorsing any candidate in the upcoming 2024 presidential race, his comments leave little doubt that he opposes the return of his former boss to the Oval Office.
Kelly’s remarks offer a rare inside look into the behavior and mindset of the former president, coming from someone who was deeply embedded in the Trump administration’s inner circle. From July 2017 to January 2019, Kelly served as Trump’s longest-serving chief of staff, tasked with maintaining order in a tumultuous White House. During this period, he witnessed firsthand Trump’s governing style, which Kelly now describes as authoritarian and deeply troubling.
In his interview with The New York Times, Kelly asserted that Trump is “certainly an authoritarian” who “admires people who are dictators,” a characterization that taps into broader fears among many Americans about the erosion of democratic norms. Kelly didn’t mince words, noting that Trump “meets the definition of a fascist,” a statement that elevates the critique beyond mere political disagreements into a broader condemnation of Trump’s ideological bent.
“Well, looking at the definition of fascism: It’s a far-right authoritarian, ultranationalist political ideology and movement characterized by a dictatorial leader, centralized autocracy, militarism, forcible suppression of opposition, belief in a natural social hierarchy,” Kelly said. This stark characterization, coupled with Kelly’s extensive military background, makes his assessment particularly poignant.
Perhaps the most jarring aspect of Kelly’s critique lies in his condemnation of Trump’s attitude toward the U.S. military, particularly those who have made sacrifices in service to the country. Kelly’s own son, Marine 1st Lt. Robert Kelly, was killed in combat in Afghanistan in 2010, a loss that gives the general’s perspective on military sacrifice deep personal resonance.
Kelly previously made headlines when reports surfaced alleging that Trump had referred to American service members killed in action as “losers” and “suckers” during a 2018 visit to a military cemetery in France. According to Kelly, Trump not only made these offensive remarks but held an ingrained disdain for military members who bore the scars of battle. The general confirmed that Trump expressed a desire not to be seen in the company of veterans with visible disabilities, fearing that their appearance reflected poorly on him.
Trump’s comments reportedly extended beyond private conversations. Kelly recounted an instance when Trump, during his time in the White House, expressed admiration for the loyalty of Hitler’s generals, allegedly saying, “Why can’t you be like the German generals?”—a statement that echoed Trump’s yearning for absolute control. When pressed on what he meant, Trump clarified that he specifically admired “Hitler’s generals,” reflecting a dangerous level of admiration for dictatorial figures and military obedience at any cost.
Kelly’s labeling of Trump as a fascist represents a dramatic escalation in the rhetoric surrounding the former president. It is one thing for political opponents or media pundits to lob such accusations, but it is entirely different when a respected military leader makes the charge. The term fascism carries with it a host of negative historical associations, particularly with Nazi Germany and the Mussolini regime in Italy, and has been rarely invoked in American political discourse—especially by those within the upper echelons of government and the military.
Kelly’s definition of fascism, as explained in his interview, highlights the traits he observed in Trump during his time in the White House. These include Trump’s embrace of ultranationalism, his disdain for democratic checks and balances, his efforts to suppress opposition, and his repeated admiration for autocratic leaders like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un.
This critique is especially potent in light of Trump’s recent comments about his willingness to use the military to quash domestic political opposition. According to Kelly, these remarks were a tipping point that led him to speak out now, as he fears the consequences of such rhetoric for the rule of law and the future of democratic governance.
Despite his harsh critique of Trump, Kelly made it clear that he is not endorsing any candidate in the 2024 presidential race. As a former military officer, Kelly explained that it would be inappropriate for him to offer public support for any political figure, maintaining that the military must remain apolitical.
However, Kelly’s decision not to endorse anyone does not mitigate the force of his warning. “In many cases, I would agree with some of [Trump’s] policies,” Kelly admitted, acknowledging that his opposition to Trump is not rooted in ideological differences but in concerns about Trump’s temperament and authoritarian tendencies. “But again, it’s a very dangerous thing to have the wrong person elected to high office.”
This statement, coming from a man who was responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Trump White House, underscores the gravity of Kelly’s concerns. His use of the phrase “wrong person” emphasizes the notion that Trump’s unsuitability for office goes beyond mere policy disagreements and speaks to fundamental issues of character, leadership, and respect for democratic norms.
Unsurprisingly, Kelly’s remarks have drawn sharp rebukes from Trump’s camp. Steven Cheung, Trump’s communications director, dismissed Kelly’s statements as fabrications, accusing the former general of “totally beclowning himself” with stories that had been “debunked.” Cheung went on to say that Kelly had failed in his role as chief of staff and was now bitterly attacking Trump out of personal animosity.
Cheung’s statement reflects the broader response from Trump’s defenders, who have consistently labeled criticisms of the former president as politically motivated or driven by personal vendettas. However, Kelly’s critique has also resonated with Trump’s opponents, including members of the Biden-Harris administration, who have seized on his words as further evidence of Trump’s unsuitability for office.
Ian Sams, a spokesperson for Vice President Kamala Harris, issued a statement following Kelly’s interview with The Atlantic, saying, “The people who know [Trump] best are telling us Trump is unhinged and pursuing unchecked power that would put us all at risk.”
Kelly’s remarks carry significant weight because they come from someone who is not only a former senior Trump administration official but also a respected military leader with a reputation for integrity and service. His decision to speak out now, nearly five years after leaving the Trump White House, suggests that Kelly feels an urgent need to warn the public about the potential dangers of a second Trump presidency.
While Trump’s base remains fiercely loyal, and his grip on the Republican Party appears as strong as ever, Kelly’s comments may resonate with moderate and undecided voters who are wary of Trump’s authoritarian leanings but may have previously dismissed such concerns as hyperbolic. The general’s critique could also contribute to the growing unease among establishment Republicans, many of whom have privately expressed concerns about Trump’s influence on the party and the country.
As the 2024 presidential race heats up, Kelly’s warning serves as a reminder that Trump’s legacy and potential return to power are not just matters of policy but of fundamental questions about the future of American democracy. His description of Trump as a man who “never accepted the fact that he wasn’t the most powerful man in the world” highlights the former president’s perceived obsession with power and control—traits that Kelly suggests are incompatible with the responsibilities of the presidency.
