Rep LaLota's Trump Support After Report Ex-Pres Praised Hitler Called Out By Challenger Avlon

John Kelly – a four-star Marine general and Trump’s former White House chief of staff – told The Times that he had personally witnessed Trump make complimentary statements about the former dictator of Nazi Germany, even saying that Hitler had done “some good things.”

Kelly went on to tell the outlet that Trump “certainly falls into the general definition of fascist,” and that Trump, should he win re-election, “would govern like a dictator.”

• Earlier Report: New Poll Reveals Long Islanders' Preference In Closely Watched Congressional Races

In a separate piece from The Atlantic, two sources told the outlet the former president once said, “I need the kind of generals that Hitler had,” in a private conversation in the White House.

Trump is also facing condemnation from Democrats after saying he may use the National Guard or even the military on his domestic rivals and calling them “the enemy from within” during an interview with Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo.

The disturbing reports – coming just days before one of the most consequential presidential elections in modern times – naturally came up during the televised debate for Long Island’s 1st District on Wednesday evening, Oct. 23.

Democratic candidate John Avlon blasted incumbent Republican Nick LaLota after he defended Trump by saying the reporting “had not been confirmed” and that Trump’s campaign “denied that.”

“You know, it’s interesting because what you’re saying is you take Donald Trump’s word over Marine general John Kelly,” Avlon said. “You at home, does that sound credible to you? Or does that sound like desperate deflection?”

Avlon went on to say that politicians, both on the right and the left, must condemn such extremism, something he said LaLota had “consistently failed to do.”

“We do need to be strong. Weakness does invite aggression,” Avlon said. “That’s how we reunite as a nation, that’s how we move forward together.”

Adam Kinzinger, a Republican former congressman and Air National Guard veteran from Illinois, also chastised LaLota, saying on X: “It should be easy to condemn Trump for praising Hitler while yearning for his generals, but apparently, that’s too hard for an ultra-partisan like Nick LaLota.”

Daily Voice attempted to reach LaLota, as well as Long Island Republican Reps. Anthony D’Esposito and Andrew Garbarino, for their personal, on-the-record responses to The Times and Atlantic reporting. Multiple calls and emails to the congressmen were not returned.

Specifically, D’Esposito's communications director, Matthew Capp, repeatedly refused to directly answer whether the congressman still supports Trump given Kelly's claim that Trump praised Hitler.

Daily Voice will update this story should D’Esposito himself, or Reps. LaLota or Garbarino, respond.

What Do You Think?

Do you believe John Kelly’s account that former President Donald Trump repeatedly praised Hitler? Sound off in our poll above.

Click here to follow Daily Voice Waterford-Halfmoon and receive free news updates.