Former U.S. President Donald Trump said he is greater than Napoleon and Alexander the Great because those historical figures did not have airplanes [1].
The statements, appearing in a forthcoming book, have triggered a national debate in the U.S. regarding the former president's mental health and the absence of checks on his behavior [3].
Trump's comparisons center on the technological advantages of the modern era. In a video report by RAI News, Trump said, "Io più grande di loro, non avevano gli aerei, giusto?" — translated as "I am greater than them, they didn't have planes, right?" [1]. Other reports indicate he asked if Alexander the Great had airplanes while asserting his own superiority [3].
Beyond these specific historical comparisons, some reports suggest Trump has extended these claims to other figures. While some sources focus on Napoleon and Alexander the Great [2], other reports indicate Trump said he is more powerful than Hitler and Stalin [2].
In addition to the comparisons of scale and power, Trump has made assertions regarding the scope of his own authority. According to reports from MSN Italia, Trump said, "I miei poteri sono illimitati" — translated as "My powers are unlimited" [2].
These remarks are surfacing as part of a narrative of self-aggrandizement within the upcoming publication. The commentary in the book and the subsequent public reaction highlight a growing divide in the U.S. over how to interpret the former president's rhetoric, and its implications for leadership standards [3].
“"I am greater than them, they didn't have planes, right?"”
These statements reflect a pattern of self-aggrandizement that challenges traditional norms of political rhetoric. By comparing himself to absolute rulers and conquerors, Trump is not merely engaging in hyperbole but is framing his power in terms of historical dominance. The resulting debate over his mental health and the lack of institutional checks suggests that his supporters and critics view these claims through fundamentally different lenses: as a sign of strength or as a symptom of instability.
