In a recent twist to The Atlantic's controversial article, which claimed that former President Donald Trump once expressed admiration for Adolf Hitler’s military leadership, several people close to the Trump administration are now pushing back on the story’s credibility.
According to The Atlantic, retired Marine General John Kelly, who served as Trump’s Chief of Staff, allegedly reported that Trump had praised the effectiveness of Hitler’s generals, sparking a wave of criticism. Yet, those who worked alongside both Trump and Kelly are calling out what they see as a hit-piece motivated by personal animus rather than fact.
I worked for John Kelly and don’t believe him. His last ditch effort to stop Donald Trump is desperate. This is a personal vendetta from a staffer who failed at his job and believed as a chief of staff that he should have been the ultimate decisionmaker. President Trump loves…
— Mercedes Schlapp (@mercedesschlapp) October 23, 2024
One of the loudest voices countering Kelly’s allegations is Mercedes Schlapp, who served as a senior adviser during the Trump administration. Schlapp posted on X (formerly Twitter), openly questioning Kelly’s narrative. She characterized his claims as a “last-ditch effort to stop Donald Trump,” suggesting that Kelly’s grievances were less about genuine concern and more about frustration with Trump’s leadership style. Schlapp firmly backed Trump, highlighting his strong stance on American interests and his support for the Jewish community—elements, she argues, that contradict Kelly’s portrayal.
Former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer also shared his insights on the matter, suggesting that Kelly may be part of a broader trend of discontent among former Trump officials who felt sidelined by Trump’s leadership approach. Spicer, who observed Trump’s unconventional decision-making style firsthand, explained that Trump often consulted not only high-ranking officials but also enlisted service members and individuals with firsthand experience.
Sean Spicer reveals exactly what happened to make John Kelly hate President Trump. pic.twitter.com/seP4zlGkmk
— Ames (@VivaLaAmes11) October 24, 2024
According to Spicer, this tendency to seek ground-level insights frustrated many of Trump’s top advisers who were used to their expertise going unquestioned. Spicer detailed how Trump’s Oval Office discussions about Afghanistan involved not just generals but also soldiers on the frontlines, who provided practical insights on the mission’s effectiveness.
Spicer’s recollection pointed to a broader pattern: Trump’s unwillingness to rubber-stamp decisions. Spicer recounted instances when Trump rejected polished PowerPoint presentations in favor of asking tough questions and gathering diverse perspectives, an approach that irked some senior advisors. Trump’s disruption of the traditional power hierarchy, Spicer suggested, left some feeling snubbed and contributed to the animosity they harbor against him today.
John Kelly was so shocked at how much Trump admired Hitler that he forgot about it for 5 years and conveniently remembered 2 weeks before the election.
Got it.
— Michael J. Morrison (@OfficeOfMike) October 23, 2024
Michael Morrison, a political commentator, also weighed in, questioning the timing of Kelly’s comments, as the claims emerged mere weeks before a pivotal election. Morrison pointedly noted that Kelly’s sudden revelation seemed suspect, highlighting the possibility of politically motivated timing.