Who Said It, Donald Trump or a Chinese Communist?
How well do you know Trump, or the Chinese Communist Party leaders?
Donald Trump, the likely presidential nominee of the Republican Party, is not the biggest fan of China. He has criticized the country for stealing U.S. jobs, implementing unfair trade practices, and, absurdly, creating the concept of global warming. China “has zero respect for our country,” Trump said, and is responsible for the “greatest theft in the history of the world.”
Donald Trump, the likely presidential nominee of the Republican Party, is not the biggest fan of China. He has criticized the country for stealing U.S. jobs, implementing unfair trade practices, and, absurdly, creating the concept of global warming. China “has zero respect for our country,” Trump said, and is responsible for the “greatest theft in the history of the world.”
Trump likes to talk tough on China — but he may have more in common with the country’s leaders than he wants to admit. We gathered some quotes from three former leaders of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) — Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, and Jiang Zemin. Mao Zedong, known as Chairman Mao, founded the People’s Republic of China in 1949, and ruled until his death in 1976. Deng spearheaded the country’s economic revolution in the 1980s and 1990s; and Jiang, who ruled the country following Deng’s death, ushered China into the 21st century.
Can you tell Trump’s statements from those of these three Chinese leaders? Take our quiz to find out.
1. “The media professionals should improve their knowledge. Understand?! You people stress me out, seriously.”
A. Donald Trump
B. Mao Zedong
C. Deng Xiaoping
D. Jiang Zemin
2. “I voted for you in your last election.”
A. Donald Trump
B. Mao Zedong
C. Deng Xiaoping
D. Jiang Zemin
3. “Free trade is terrible.”
A. Donald Trump
B. Mao Zedong
C. Deng Xiaoping
D. Jiang Zemin
4. “Let some people get rich first.”
A. Donald Trump
B. Mao Zedong
C. Deng Xiaoping
D. Jiang Zemin
5. “We should hire the most knowledgeable people in the world on this subject and lock them in a room—and not unlock the door until they’ve agreed on the steps we need to take.”
A. Donald Trump
B. Mao Zedong
C. Deng Xiaoping
D. Jiang Zemin
6. “I want your support, but I don’t want your money.”
A. Donald Trump
B. Mao Zedong
C. Deng Xiaoping
D. Jiang Zemin
7. “The President says one thing during the election, something else when he takes office, something else at midterm and something else when he leaves.”
A. Donald Trump
B. Mao Zedong
C. Deng Xiaoping
D. Jiang Zemin
8. “It will rain, and women will get married.”
A. Donald Trump
B. Mao Zedong
C. Deng Xiaoping
D. Jiang Zemin
9. “A nation without borders is not a nation at all.”
A. Donald Trump
B. Mao Zedong
C. Deng Xiaoping
D. Jiang Zemin
10. “We should support whatever our enemies oppose and oppose whatever our enemies support.”
A. Donald Trump
B. Mao Zedong
C. Deng Xiaoping
D. Jiang Zemin
11. “My motto is: Always get even. When somebody screws you, screw them back in spades.”
A. Donald Trump
B. Mao Zedong
C. Deng Xiaoping
D. Jiang Zemin
12. “We have to have a strong military so people don’t mess with us.”
A. Donald Trump
B. Mao Zedong
C. Deng Xiaoping
D. Jiang Zemin
Answer key: 1.D 2.B 3.A 4.C 5.A 6.A 7.C 8.B 9.A 10.B 11.A 12.A
Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images
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