Trump Praises Modi and Xi Jinping in Recent Interview

In a recent interview with Axios, Donald Trump expressed his admiration for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping. He described Modi as a 'very tough cookie' and Xi as 'all business.' Trump also reflected on his experiences at the G7 Summit, including the absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his interactions with other leaders. His comments on leadership dynamics and power during the Iran conflict sparked interest, although he refrained from naming the weakest leader he encountered. This conversation sheds light on Trump's views on global leadership.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 20, 2026, 00:06 IST

Trump's Admiration for Global Leaders

In a recent discussion with Axios, former President Donald Trump expressed his admiration for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping. When prompted about his most admired leaders, Trump referred to Modi as a "very tough cookie" and characterized Xi Jinping as "all business." This conversation took place shortly after Trump's return from the G7 Summit, where he also addressed the absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump noted that the group was originally known as the G8 until Russia was excluded following its annexation of Crimea in 2014.

During the podcast on "The Axios Show," Trump recalled a dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, which he described as a reflection of his vulnerabilities. He remarked on the extent of his power during the Iran conflict, stating that G7 leaders accepted his humor when he claimed, "I’m the boss," and suggested that Israel's existence was contingent upon his influence. However, when asked about the weakest leader he encountered, Trump chose not to provide a response.