Fox News Host Attempts to Justify Trump’s Controversial Generals Comment
In a recent segment, a host from Fox & Friends faced significant criticism over comments that seemed to defend former President Donald Trump’s alleged remark about wanting “German generals like Hitler had.” The exchange allegedly stemmed from former chief of staff John Kelly’s disclosures about his time in the Trump administration, particularly his encounters with the controversial leader.
According to an interview with the Atlantic, Kelly recounted a disconcerting moment when Trump posed a question that seemed to evoke a dark historical parallel: “Why can’t you be like the German generals?” When Kelly tried to clarify that many of those generals attempted to assassinate Hitler, Trump’s response was surprising: “No, no, no, they were totally loyal to him.”
This revelation quickly circulated online, provoking outrage and numerous reactions condemning Trump for his purported sentiments. The backlash pivoted to Fox & Friends, where co-host Brian Kilmeade defended Trump by asserting that Kelly harbored a bias against the president. Kilmeade suggested that Kelly was motivated by frustration, indicating that Trump’s business background contributed to his expectations of military command.
Kilmeade stated, “Coming from the business world…obviously he has frustration. It would be great to have German generals that actually do what we ask them to do.” However, he awkwardly acknowledged the sensitive historical context, noting, “Knowing that’s a uh — maybe not fully uh, being cognizant of the third rail of German generals who were Nazis.”
The commentary continued as Kilmeade characterized Trump’s frustration with military leadership, suggesting that unelected officials should not wield authority over the presidency. His co-host Lawrence Jones added to the sentiment, emphasizing that Trump’s outsider status created tension within traditional military ranks.
Reactions from social media users were swift and scathing, with many expressing disbelief and calling the conversation deeply troubling. Comments ranged from characterizing the situation as a dangerous ignorance to labeling the hosts as disgraceful for their defense of Trump’s views.
Some users highlighted the potential ramifications of such statements, especially concerning Jewish American voters. Others pointed out that Kilmeade seemed to acknowledge the gravity of Trump’s comments without outright denial.
Overall, the discourse surrounding this incident underscores a growing polarization in political dialogue, particularly as the nation approaches the 2024 elections.