CNN panel throws Trump’s own words back at him as he rolls out the red carpet for autocrat

A CNN panel threw President Donald Trump’s past words back in his face as he rolled out the literal red carpet for Chinese President Xi Jinping this week.

CNN conservative commentator S.E. Cupp argued that Trump’s praise for Xi and China’s state-controlled media undermined his own tough-on-China message.

“Praising people like Xi Jinping and Putin, it just undercuts his own message,” Cupp said. “Remember, it wasn't that long ago Donald Trump held a primetime address to tell us that China meddled in our 2020 elections.”

“The same country he's now praising — he's praising their press corps because they're so obedient,” she said. “I mean, it's bananas.”

CNN also aired an old clip of Trump defending his admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin during the 2016 presidential campaign. In it, Trump praised Putin as a leader despite being confronted with allegations that the Russian leader killed journalists and political opponents.

Democratic strategist Adrienne Elrod said Trump’s embrace of authoritarian rulers was nothing new.

“At the end of the day, he has been embracing dictators since day one,” Elrod said.

She argued that Trump’s approach “in a shocking way” may have helped him during his first White House campaign — but has since lost its appeal.

“I think the American people are sick of it,” Elrod said. “I think it is diminishing returns at this point.”