United States Vice President Kamala Harris has criticised former President Donald Trump, saying he’s susceptible to manipulation by dictators like North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Harris, candidate of the Democratic Party, made the claims during the 2024 US presidential debate against the Republican ex-president at the National Constitution Centre in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday.
Speaking on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Harris mentioned that the North American Treaty Organisation had enhanced the ability of the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and his nationals to be able to “fight for their independence; otherwise, Putin would be sitting in Kyiv with his eyes on the rest of Europe, starting with Poland. And why don’t you tell the 800,000 Polish-Americans right here in Pennsylvania how quickly you would give up for the sake of favour and what you think is a friendship with what is known to be a dictator who would eat you for lunch?”
“It is well known he exchanged love letters with Kim Jong-un, and it is absolutely well known that these dictators and autocrats are rooting for you to be president again because it’s so clear they can manipulate you with flattery and favours,” she stressed.
When asked how he would end the war within 24 hours of being elected and whether he wants Ukraine to win, Trump responded, “I want the war to end. When I’m president-elect, I’ll speak to one, and I’ll speak to the other. “I will get them together.”
The Republican then pokes fun at President Joe Biden, who withdrew from the presidential contest, before giving over to Harris.
Trump asks, “Where is our president?” We don’t even know if he is the president. The president is unaware that he is still alive.”
Following that, the vice presidential candidate replied, “First of all, it’s important to remind the former president you’re not running against Joe Biden—you’re running against me.”
