Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, has taken the world by storm with his outspoken and often controversial statements. Trump has been accused of making inflammatory and hurtful comments, and has been compared to former Nazi leader Adolf Hitler multiple times.
However, when asked if he had ever read ‘Mein Kampf’, Hitler’s political manifesto, Trump firmly denied the comparison, stating that he “had never read it”.
Trump’s statement comes as a surprise to many, as ‘Mein Kampf’ is widely regarded as a milestone of fascist literature and philosophy. Furthermore, it’s often used to gauge public opinion on leaders and politicians who sound similar to Hitler in their rhetoric.
In an interview with The Washington Post, Trump brushed off allegations of having similar ideals to Hitler. He stated that such comparisons are ‘completely ridiculous’, and declared that he has “great respect for the Jewish people” and that “many of them are my friends”.
Trump further denied claims that he shared any of Hitler’s views, calling them “disturbing and defamatory”. He said that he “denounces and condemns hatred, bigotry, racism, and violence in all forms”, and that he was doing his best to “make our country and our world more peaceful and secure”.
While it’s unclear whether or not Trump has ever actually read Hitler’s work, it appears that the President does not appreciate the comparison. While he may not be a fan of Mein Kampf, Trump has certainly made a name for himself as one of the most outspoken and controversial world leaders of our time.