Trump Praises Erdogan Citing Rigged Election Claims During Washington Meeting

During a meeting in the Oval Office, U.S. President Donald Trump praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, stating that Erdogan "knows about rigged elections better than anybody," referencing his own claim of being in an unfair political "exile" following the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Trump expressed admiration for Erdogan's long tenure since 2014, despite noting Erdogan's autocratic reputation and the repression of opposition in Turkey, including the arrest of prominent opposition figures. Trump acknowledged their longstanding friendship, including during his time out of office, which he termed as a "test of friendship." The Turkish president did not respond to Trump's comments on elections, but the remarks drew attention due to Erdogan's controversial governance and Trump's repeated assertions of election fraud. Trump also reflected on his own political journey, suggesting the possibility of a third term despite constitutional limits, and expressed fascination with authoritarian leaders who maintain power through suppression of opposition. This meeting highlighted Trump's alignment with Erdogan's leadership style and his ongoing narrative about the legitimacy of his own electoral defeat.