How similar are Donald Trump and Muhammad Ali? If you see it the way Mike Huckabee does, you might find the pair very similar indeed — but you’d probably be in the minority. Even the former Arkansas Governor’s own fans didn’t agree. Would the pair in question see each other as kindred spirits?
Mike Huckabee mused Saturday evening on the death of Muhammad Ali, and spoke of seeing quotes from the boxer and activist after his death. He says that to him, many of the quotes sounded a lot like things he’s heard Donald Trump say, and he made a “who said it” quiz. (If you want to do the quiz yourself, click through and try it now, because there are spoilers ahead.)
Okay, there are a few similarities. Both use the word “great” or “greatest” heavily, although the context is arguably different. There’s a fine line between bragging and being confident, and much of that line lies in the eye of the beholder.
Some of the quotes Huckabee selected, though, are more obvious. Numbers three and eight are both Trump quotes.
3. “I don’t do it for the money. I’ve got enough, more than I’ll ever need. I do it to do it.”
8. ” Show me someone without an ego, and I’ll show you a loser.”
Talking about how much money he has and calling people losers? Yes, those sound like Trump, who Forbes says exaggerated his net worth significantly as he leapt into the presidential race. As for the “loser” appellation, since applying it to John McCain (for being a POW, according to the NY Times), he’s tossed the term at a number of others – he even says so himself.
Dope Frank Bruni said I called many people, including Karl Rove, losers-true! I never called my friend @HowardStern a loser- he’s a winner!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 19, 2016
“I called many people…losers — true!”
“At home, I’m a nice guy, but I don’t want the world to know. Humble people, I’ve found, don’t get very far.”
Could Trump have said that as easily? Would he say he’s not a humble man? Well, in 2013, he indicated that humility is a trait he shares with the Pope.
The new Pope is a humble man, very much like me, which probably explains why I like him so much!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 25, 2013
Just how humble is Donald Trump? Fortunately, he has answered that question himself, too.
“@KennicotAsks: @realDonaldTrump Of all the fellow celebrities you’ve met, which do you consider to be the most humble?” ME!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 10, 2014
Alright, a few of these quotes aren’t so ambiguous after all. At any rate, Huckabee’s followers were not impressed with the comparison. Several chimed in to call Muhammad Ali a draft dodger, and to scold Trump’s former opponent for the GOP nomination for honoring a Muslim.
Others stepped in to suggest that the comparison was an insult to the boxer, who died in an Arizona hospital Friday night.
Yeah, but Muhammad Ali never said much racist and sexist stuff. Also, I never knew him to be a pathological liar like Trump.
If fans and supporters of both Ali and Trump disagree that the two are similar, would the personages in question be offended themselves?
Well, ESPN reported in December that Muhammad Ali had spoken against “…presidential candidates proposing to ban Muslim immigration to the United States,” suggesting that it would be better to foster an understanding of Islam, and reiterating that terrorists and extremists do not represent most members of the religion.
As for Trump, he has made it clear that he does consider himself to be a humble guy, and that he does see Islam as a threat.
However, he has also quoted the boxer, who converted to the Islamic faith in 1964.
“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.” – Muhammad Ali
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 16, 2013
Furthermore, the GOP nominee has referred to the late Ali as a friend. Over a year ago, he added the photo below to his Instagram account, captioning it “#TBT With my friend @muhammadali.”
[Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for Norman Mailer Center]