United States Vice President Kamala Harris has criticized former President Donald Trump, alleging that he is vulnerable to manipulation by dictators such as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Harris made these comments during the 2024 US presidential debate against Trump, held at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday.
Speaking on the ongoing Russia – Ukraine war, Harris noted 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 they’re 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 into office, and whether he wants Ukraine to win the war, Trump said, “I want the war to stop, When I’m president-elect, I’ll speak to one, I’ll speak to the other. I’ll get them together.”
The Republican then takes a jibe at President Joe Biden, who dropped out of the presidential race, before handing over to Harris.
Trump asks, “Where is our president? We don’t even know if he’s a president. The president doesn’t know he’s alive.”
Afterwards, the VP responded, “First of all, it’s important to remind the former president you’re not running against Joe Biden – you’re running against me.”