Behind Trump’s War With Powell

The “war” between Donald Trump and Colin Powell was a highly public and often acrimonious ideological clash that unfolded over several years, primarily fueled by Powell’s increasingly vocal criticism of Trump and Trump’s retaliatory attacks. This conflict highlighted a significant divide within the Republican Party, as Powell, a respected former Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, represented a more traditional, establishment wing that found itself at odds with Trump’s populist and unconventional approach to politics.

Early Disapproval (2016): Even before Trump was elected, Powell expressed deep reservations. Leaked emails from 2016 revealed him calling Trump a “national disgrace” and an “international pariah.” He criticized Trump’s “birther” claims against President Obama as racist and warned that Trump was “in the process of destroying himself.”

Drifting from the Constitution (2020): Powell became more explicit in his condemnations as Trump’s presidency progressed. In June 2020, amidst nationwide protests, Powell stated that Trump had “drifted away” from the Constitution. He criticized Trump’s strongman rhetoric and approach to the protests, arguing that the President was not upholding his oath of office.

Clash of Styles and Ideologies: Powell represented a traditional, disciplined, and internationally-minded Republicanism that valued institutions, diplomacy, and a certain decorum in public life. Trump, on the other hand, embodied a populist, nationalist, and disruptive approach that prioritized “America First” and often disregarded established norms and political correctness

“He Lies All the Time” (2020): Powell publicly endorsed Joe Biden in the 2020 election, a significant move for a prominent Republican. He explained his decision by saying that Trump “lies all the time” and “has been not an effective president.” He further criticized the Republican Party for failing to hold Trump accountable.

Concerns for Democracy: Powell consistently expressed concerns that Trump’s actions and rhetoric were undermining democratic institutions and norms. He believed Trump’s presidency was damaging America’s standing in the world and creating internal divisions.

Leaving the Republican Party: Powell’s disaffection grew to the point where, after the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, he stated he no longer considered himself a Republican. He famously said, “I can no longer call myself a fellow Republican. I’m not a fellow of anything right now,” seeing the party as having abandoned its principles.

Donald Trump’s Responses to Colin Powell:

Focus on Iraq War: A recurring theme in Trump’s counter-arguments was to highlight Powell’s role in presenting the case for the Iraq War to the UN, which later proved to be based on faulty intelligence regarding weapons of mass destruction. Trump would frequently use this to discredit Powell’s judgment. For example, after Powell endorsed Biden in 2020, Trump tweeted, “Colin Powell, a real stiff who was very responsible for getting us into the disastrous Middle East Wars, just announced he will be voting for another stiff, Sleepy Joe Biden. Didn’t Powell say that Iraq had ‘weapons of mass destruction?’ They didn’t, but off we went to WAR!”

Dismissal and Disparagement: Trump consistently dismissed Powell’s criticisms, often resorting to personal attacks. When Powell’s early emails were leaked, Trump responded by saying, “I was never a fan of Colin Powell after his weak understanding of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq = disaster. We can do much better!”

“RINO” Label: Trump often labeled Powell a “RINO” (Republican In Name Only), a derogatory term he used for Republicans who opposed him. This was part of a broader strategy to delegitimize dissent within the party.

Post-Mortem Attack: Even after Powell’s death in October 2021, Trump issued a statement disparaging him, saying it was “wonderful” to see Powell “treated in death so beautifully by the Fake News Media.” He added, “He was a classic RINO, if even that, always being the first to attack other Republicans. He made plenty of mistakes, but anyway, may he rest in peace!” This was widely criticized as an undignified response.