In a stunning revelation, former White House chief of staff John Kelly has come forward with allegations that former President Donald Trump spoke warmly about Adolf Hitler and praised his economic policies. Kelly shared these claims while discussing Trump's affinity for strongmen in an interview for a forthcoming book.

According to Kelly, Trump said, "Well, but Hitler did some good things," when discussing the Nazi dictator. When Kelly asked for clarification, Trump pointed to Hitler's efforts in rebuilding the German economy. However, Kelly challenged Trump's perspective, asserting that Hitler ultimately turned the economy against his own people and the world.

The allegation that Trump admired Hitler initially surfaced in journalist Michael Bender's 2021 book, "Frankly, We Did Win This Election: The Inside Story of How Trump Lost." Bender revealed that Trump denied the claim at the time. However, Kelly's recent comments have provided further support for this accusation.

Kelly, a retired four-star Marine general, expressed disbelief that Trump seemingly overlooked the Holocaust and the loss of American lives in the European theater. He also highlighted Trump's lack of awareness regarding the disloyalty of German generals towards Hitler, noting their assassination attempts.

Trump's controversial rhetoric, which critics argue bears similarities to Hitler's genocidal ideology, has fueled further speculation. The former president's comments about "radical left thugs" and his characterization of illegal immigrants as "poisoning the blood" of the US have stirred controversy.

Kelly, who served as chief of staff from July 2017 to January 2019, offered his insights into why Trump admires dictatorial figures. He attributed it to Trump's desire for unchecked power and his perception of himself as a strongman. Kelly explained that incoming presidents are often surprised by their limited power without congressional approval, but Trump expected a more authoritarian role.

The allegations made by Kelly and former national security adviser John Bolton, who also criticized Trump in the same book, were met with strong denials from the Trump camp. Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign, accused Kelly and Bolton of spreading lies and suffering from "Trump Derangement Syndrome."

Bolton, who has been an outspoken critic of Trump and contemplated a presidential run in 2024, suggested that Trump associates with "big guys" like Recep Tayyip Erdogan and admired their ability to imprison people without any external approval. Kelly agreed with Bolton's assessment, stating that Trump envisions himself as a tough guy, although he believes the opposite to be true.

Deputy national security adviser Matthew Pottinger emphasized Trump's unwavering belief in his personal charisma and diplomacy. He maintained that Trump placed great faith in his ability to negotiate with everyone he encountered, including leaders like Kim Jong Un and Xi Jinping.

As Trump faces speculation about the potential authoritarianism of a second term, he recently joked on Fox News that he would only be a dictator for "one day," reassuring his supporters that his priorities lie in border control and energy policies.

The allegations made by Kelly have sparked renewed debate about Trump's admiration for authoritarian figures and his understanding of history. The forthcoming book is expected to shed further light on the subject, keeping the spotlight on the controversial former president and his legacy.