Special Poll
Vice President Kamala Harris called former President Trump “increasingly unhinged and unstable” on Wednesday, warning voters just two weeks before the election about his desire for “unchecked power.”
Context: Harris’ remarks follow a New York Times report featuring allegations from John Kelly, Trump’s former White House chief of staff. According to Kelly, Trump allegedly praised Adolf Hitler on several occasions, claiming the Nazi leader “did some good things.” Kelly also raised concerns that Trump, if re-elected, would govern like a dictator and meets the definition of a fascist.
What Harris Said: “This reveals who Donald Trump truly is, as told by the people who know him best,” Harris stated during a speech at the Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., responding to Kelly’s claims. She described Trump’s comments about Hitler as “deeply troubling and incredibly dangerous.” She also addressed Trump’s recent rhetoric, in which he labeled his political opponents as “the enemy from within,” warning that Trump views anyone who opposes him — whether judges, journalists, or election officials — as a threat.
Trump’s Response: A spokesperson for the Trump campaign, Steven Cheung, dismissed Kelly’s claims, stating that Kelly has “completely embarrassed himself with these fabricated and debunked stories.”
Focus on Military Allegations: Harris also commented on a separate report published in The Atlantic, where it was alleged that Trump expressed a desire for generals loyal to him personally, like those under Hitler. “He doesn’t want a military loyal to the Constitution,” Harris said. “He wants a military loyal to him, even if it means breaking the law or abandoning their oath to the United States Constitution.”
John Kelly, in the New York Times report, mentioned that early in his time as Trump’s chief of staff, he had to explain that government officials’ loyalty lies with the Constitution, not with the president personally. Kelly noted that this was a “big surprise” to Trump.
The Takeaway: “We know what Donald Trump wants,” Harris concluded. “He wants unchecked power. The question in 13 days is what do the American people want?”