President Trump told Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte during a phone call, according to transcripts released Tuesday. that he was doing an “unbelievable job on the drug problem,” seemingly praising tactics have included the slaughtering of thousands of suspected drug dealers.
“Many countries have the problem, we have the problem, but what a great job you are doing and I just wanted to call and tell you that,” Trump said, according to a transcript of the April 29 phone call provided by the Philippines government and reported by the Washington Post on Tuesday.
Duterte responded that the drug problem in his nation was the “scourge” of his country and his administration’s campaign to kill thousands was an attempt to “preserve” the Filipino nation.
“I understand that and fully understand that and I think we had a previous president who did not understand that,” Trump said.
A senior Trump administration official clarified Trump’s comments were not meant to condone Duterte’s “individual tactics” in the drug crackdown, but his “way of expressing solidarity over a common scourge.”
Trump invited Duterte, who he deemed a “good man,” to visit the White House “any time you want to come.”
“Seriously, if you want to come over, just let us know. Just take care of yourself, and we will take care of North Korea,” Trump said.
