The relationship between former President Donald Trump and Colin Powell, the distinguished military leader and former Secretary of State, was marked by sharp public discord, reflecting deeper ideological and personal divides. Powell, a lifelong Republican who served under multiple administrations, became a vocal critic of Trump, while Trump responded with characteristic vitriol, most notably after Powell’s death in October 2021. Their feud encapsulates contrasting visions of leadership, patriotism, and the Republican Party’s direction.
Powell’s Criticisms of Trump
Colin Powell, the first Black Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was a towering figure in American politics, known for his military service and diplomatic leadership. Despite his Republican roots, Powell grew disillusioned with the party under Trump’s influence. In 2016, hacked emails revealed Powell calling Trump a “national disgrace” and “international pariah” for his birtherism conspiracies targeting Barack Obama. Powell endorsed Hillary Clinton that year, a significant break from GOP loyalty.
By 2020, Powell’s criticism intensified. On CNN’s State of the Union, he accused Trump of “drifting away” from the Constitution, citing his response to nationwide protests over George Floyd’s death. Powell labeled Trump a habitual liar whose leadership endangered democracy, announcing he would vote for Joe Biden. Following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, Powell called the event “awful,” accusing Trump of attempting to “overturn the government.” He urged Trump to resign, likening his exit to Richard Nixon’s.
Powell’s critiques were not just personal. He saw Trump’s rhetoric and actions—such as his handling of protests and the Capitol riot—as undermining America’s moral standing globally. Powell, a son of Jamaican immigrants who rose through merit, contrasted sharply with Trump’s divisive style, emphasizing unity and constitutional fidelity.
Trump’s Response: Disparagement and Deflection
Trump, never one to shy from retaliation, fired back at Powell’s criticisms. In 2020, he took to Twitter, calling Powell a “real stiff” responsible for “disastrous Middle East Wars” and mocking his endorsement of Biden. Trump zeroed in on Powell’s role in the 2003 Iraq War, particularly his UN presentation claiming Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMD), which later proved false. This became a recurring attack line.
The most controversial moment came after Powell’s death on October 18, 2021, from COVID-19 complications at age 84. While leaders across the political spectrum, including President Joe Biden and former President George W. Bush, praised Powell’s service, Trump issued a statement dripping with sarcasm. He called Powell a “classic RINO” (Republican in Name Only) who “made big mistakes on Iraq” and was “always the first to attack other Republicans.” Trump remarked, “Wonderful to see Colin Powell, who made big mistakes on Iraq and famously, so-called weapons of mass destruction, be treated in death so beautifully by the Fake News Media. Hope that happens to me someday.” He concluded, “He made plenty of mistakes, but anyway, may he rest in peace!”
The statement drew widespread condemnation for its lack of decorum. Critics, including conservative commentators like Michael Reagan, called it “classless,” arguing it overshadowed Powell’s decades of service. Others noted Trump’s absence from Powell’s memorial service at Washington National Cathedral, where speakers lauded Powell’s patriotism and leadership.
Contrasting Legacies
The Trump-Powell feud highlights stark contrasts. Powell, a decorated Vietnam veteran and career public servant, was celebrated for breaking racial barriers and prioritizing country over party. His endorsement of Obama in 2008 and Biden in 2020 reflected his willingness to cross party lines for what he saw as the national interest. Trump, a political outsider who reshaped the GOP with populist fervor, viewed Powell’s criticisms as betrayal, emblematic of the “RINO” establishment he sought to dismantle.
Powell’s Iraq War misstep, particularly the WMD claim, remains a blemish on his legacy, and Trump’s focus on it wasn’t entirely baseless. However, Powell acknowledged the error, a humility Trump rarely displayed. Moreover, Trump’s own support for the Iraq War in 2002, as noted in a radio interview, undercuts his critique.
Why the Feud Mattered
This clash wasn’t just personal; it reflected a broader struggle within the Republican Party. Powell represented a traditional, service-oriented conservatism, while Trump’s brash, confrontational style galvanized a new base but alienated moderates like Powell. The feud also underscored Trump’s media strategy: by attacking Powell posthumously, he ensured headlines, reinforcing his relevance despite being out of office.
Critics argue Trump’s remarks diminished his claim of military reverence, given Powell’s decorated service versus Trump’s draft deferments for bone spurs. Others see Powell’s critiques as emblematic of a GOP fracturing under Trump’s influence, with figures like Powell unable to reconcile with the party’s new direction.
Conclusion
The Trump-Powell saga is a study in contrasts: a statesman who valued integrity and unity versus a populist who thrived on division and spectacle. Powell’s criticisms of Trump were rooted in constitutional principle, while Trump’s responses, especially post-mortem, revealed a refusal to cede the spotlight, even in death. Their conflict underscores a pivotal moment in American politics, where personal loyalty and party identity collided with broader ideals of service and truth.