Donald Trump, fresh off his endorsement from Russian president Vladimir Putin, defended the dictator on MSNBC Friday morning. Watch the video below:
“When people call you brilliant, it’s always good,” Trump said. “Especially when the person heads up Russia.”
“Also, it’s a person who kills journalists, political opponents, and invades countries,” replied host Joe Scarborough. “Obviously that would be a concern, would it not?”
“He’s running his country, and at least he’s a leader, you know, unlike what we have in this country,” Trump said.
“But, again, he kills journalists that don’t agree with him,” said Scarborough.
“Well, I think our country does plenty of killing also, Joe,” Trump said.
Trump did not elaborate on who the United States kills in the manner of Putin.
Jeb Bush, one of Trump’s Republican rivals, responded in a statement provided to THE WEEKLY STANDARD.
“Vladimir Putin is antithetical to the values that freedom-loving Americans hold dear,” said Bush. “He backs our enemies throughout the world including Iran and Assad, which Donald either doesn’t know or doesn’t care about. The fact that Donald is susceptible to the flattery of a despot shows just how weak the chaos candidate really is.”
TWS has contacted other presidential campaigns, none of whom have responded for a request for comment.
