A Look at John Kelly’s History of Smearing Trump

Former President Donald Trump’s one-time Chief of Staff John Kelly has once again launched a series of attacks against Trump, this time through a hit piece in The Atlantic. The claims, resurfaced just weeks before the 2024 election, accuse Trump of praising Adolf Hitler’s generals. But this is far from the first time Kelly has smeared his former boss his history of anti-Trump activism has been well-documented.

The Atlantic article, authored by Jeffrey Goldberg, recycles an old claim first introduced in the 2022 book “The Divider” by reporters Peter Baker and Susan Glasser. According to the book, Trump once asked Kelly, “Why can’t you be like the German generals?” a remark meant to imply admiration for Hitler’s military leaders. Despite these accusations making the rounds again, on-the-record sources present at the time have denied the exchange ever happened.

Kelly’s long history of turning on Trump mirrors that of other disgruntled former aides who seem eager to remain in the good graces of liberal elites. Here’s a look at Kelly’s record:

• Vindman Debacle: One of Kelly’s first public rebukes of Trump came after the firing of Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the military officer who leaked a private phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Vindman was celebrated as a hero by the left, but Trump rightly removed him from his post. Kelly, however, sided with Vindman, demonstrating his willingness to defy the president publicly.

• Recruiting Defectors: Kelly also allegedly attempted to recruit others within the Trump administration to undermine Trump’s leadership. According to reports, Kelly tried to enlist then-U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley in his efforts to “save the country” from Trump further proving his behind-the-scenes role in working against the administration he once served.

Kelly’s pattern of turning against Trump only grew more bitter after his departure from the White House. While he initially defended Trump and claimed that the president always consulted multiple sources before making decisions, his tune changed after he was out of office. This type of behavior is not uncommon among former aides who seek relevance in the media by opposing Trump, a pattern seen with figures like John Bolton and James Mattis.

Perhaps one of the most telling examples of Kelly’s character comes from his handling of the Rob Porter situation. Kelly was initially supportive of Porter, the White House staff secretary, during allegations of domestic abuse by his ex-wife. But after pressure mounted, Kelly shifted his stance, even though the accusations were far from credible. Porter’s ex-wife’s claims came only after Trump was elected, and the story lacked any substantial backing yet Kelly quickly distanced himself from Porter to avoid further controversy.

Then there’s the claim made by Jared Kushner in his memoir that Kelly shoved Ivanka Trump in the West Wing during a moment of frustration. Kushner wrote that Kelly later apologized to Ivanka, an account confirmed by Ivanka’s former chief of staff. Kelly, of course, denies the incident, stating it is “inconceivable” that he would shove a woman. But while he denies such an event ever took place, he expects the public to believe that he suddenly remembered a damaging conversation with Trump from four years ago just in time for the 2024 election.

As Election Day approaches, Kelly’s rehashed claims appear to be part of a coordinated effort to damage Trump’s campaign. It’s telling that these accusations are being pushed once again in The Atlantic, a publication known for its anti-Trump stance, and authored by Jeffrey Goldberg, who has a history of publishing dubious claims about Trump.

Kelly’s legacy as a former four-star general is now overshadowed by his repeated efforts to undermine the president he once served. His actions have shown that he’s more interested in protecting his image within liberal circles than in standing by the truth. As voters head to the polls, it’s crucial to remember Kelly’s history of turning against Trump for political convenience.

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