LAS VEGAS – former president Donald Trump denied on Thursday always which is said he needed positive things about Hitler during his time in office, including “the generals that Hitler had.”
“I never said that,” Trump said this week when asked by a reporter about the article Atlantic.
“I would never say that,” he added, directly denying the magazine’s report.
Trump later criticized the author of the article and the publication, calling it a “failed magazine.”
When reached for comment, Anna Bross, a spokeswoman for The Atlantic, said in a statement, “As with our previous reporting on former President Trump and his various statements, we stand by our reporting.”
The magazine said on Tuesday that Trump said in a private conversation while in office that he needed generals like Adolf Hitler. “People who are completely loyal to him, who follow orders,” he said.
About 6 million Jews were killed in the Holocaust during Hitler’s rule over Nazi Germany. According to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, an estimated 45 million civilians died worldwide during World War II, but estimates vary.
The Atlantic also reported that when Trump brought up “German generals” to then-Chief of Staff John Kelly, Kelly asked if he meant “Bismarck’s generals,” referring to Germany’s first chancellor.
“I knew he didn’t know who Bismarck was or about the Franco-Prussian War. I said, ‘You mean the Kaiser generals?’ Of course it cannot be said. Hitler’s generals? And he said, “Yes, yes, Hitler’s generals.”
Kelly also said The New York Times In a series of recent interviews published online this week, Trump told him that “Hitler did good.”
Trump also denied that comment on Thursday.
“I never said,” he told reporters.
Trump’s campaign criticized Kelly’s remarks. Stephen Cheung, campaign spokesman, Kelly said He “completely concealed himself,” telling “stories that were preached.”
Trump’s spokesman, Alex Pfeiffer, said this Atlantic in an email where Hitler’s remarks were “absolutely false,” according to the publication.
The former president has previously lashed out at Kelly. saying During his work, the chief of staff “entered with a smile and left whining.” In August, Trump called Kelly “one of the dumbest people I’ve ever met.”
The Harris campaign released an ad Thursday night highlighting Kelly’s comments about his former boss, a day after the vice president referenced Trump’s remarks. arguing that he was “increasingly naked”.
Jillian Frankel reported from Las Vegas, Alex Tabet from Phoenix and Megan Lebovitz from Washington.
Jake Traylor and Alec Hernandez contributed.