In his latest interview with Politico, U.S. President Donald Trump offered unusually warm praise for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, calling him a “strong leader” and emphasizing the close personal relationship between them.
Trump described Erdogan as “my friend” and credited him with building a strong state and a powerful military, underscoring what he sees as Erdogan’s decisive leadership style.
“Erdogan is my friend, he is a very strong man. I like him a lot. He has built a strong country and a strong military over the years,” Trump said.
According to Trump, other world leaders frequently ask him to intervene when they face challenges communicating with Erdogan.
“Whenever someone has a problem with him, they ask me to call because they can’t talk to him. He is a very tough man,” Trump added, noting that despite this, he and Erdogan “always find solutions quickly.”
Trump’s comments come at a time of heightened geopolitical tension, where U.S.–Turkey relations remain complex, influenced by disputes over regional security, military operations, and Ankara’s strategic balancing between NATO and Russia.
In the interview, Trump also offered broader reflections on global affairs, highlighting what he views as the importance of maintaining strong strategic partnerships and effective international communication channels.
