Former US President Donald Trump has stirred controversy by comparing himself to Franklin D. Roosevelt while delivering a scathing critique of labour unions and lauding billionaire Elon Musk.
During a recent speech, Trump claimed that Roosevelt, the 32nd US president, "ran the biggest Ponzi scheme in history"—a remark that has drawn sharp criticism from historians and political analysts.
Trump's Union Criticism
Trump took aim at unions, accusing them of stifling innovation and harming workers. "Unions are great, but they’ve been taken over by bad people," he said, without providing further evidence.
His comments come amid growing labour movements in the US, including high-profile strikes in the automotive and entertainment industries.
Praise for Elon Musk
In contrast, Trump praised Tesla CEO Elon Musk, calling him a "genius" and suggesting that Musk’s approach to business should be emulated. "Elon doesn’t need unions—he just gets things done," Trump declared.
Musk, who has faced his own controversies over labour practices, has not publicly responded to Trump’s remarks.
Historical Backlash
Trump’s comparison of Roosevelt to a "Ponzi scheme" operator has been met with disbelief. Historians point out that Roosevelt’s New Deal policies helped pull the US out of the Great Depression and established key worker protections.
"This is a gross misrepresentation of history," said one political scholar. "FDR’s legacy is one of economic recovery and social progress."
As the 2024 election looms, Trump’s comments are likely to fuel further debate over labour rights and economic policy in the US.
