The opinions that the public had about Michael Jackson seemed to be ever-changing when he was alive. Although it was a well-known fact that he was one of the greatest musicians to have ever lived, there were a number of controversies that he got tied into that left a mark on his reputation, which is still closely inspected, more than a decade after his passing.
One of the most well-known controversies surrounding Jackson was his relationship with children. Having famously mentioned in an interview that he liked sleeping in the same bed as young kids, however, the star meant it and has been closely analyzed to date. So much so, that the former president, Donald Trump, also commented on the same when the singer was still alive.
Donald Trump Thought Very Highly of Michael Jackson
In 2004, Donald Trump gave an interview with Howard Stern (via YouTube) where he talked about his thoughts on Michael Jackson. Stern and Trump had very conflicting views on the singer, with the host even starting the question with a nod to his relationship with children. However, Trump was adamant that he thinks very highly of the singer.
He started by mentioning that Jackson had been a close friend of his for many years now. Trump then mentioned that he had known the singer since he was in his prime with him living in the Trump Towers. In the former president’s definition, he was as iconic as the legendary Elvis Presley.
I knew Michael at his peak. He lives in Trump Tower, he has an apartment. Michael Jackson 15 years ago was the greatest superstar since Elvis. Some plastic surgeon blew it for him. Michael Jackson is smart and a very good guy.
He further added that he could have been so much more had it not been for his plastic surgery. He mentioned that this experience in his life affected his image greatly, even though he was extremely “smart and a very good guy.”
Donald Trump Still Leaned Into the Rumors
Even though it is evident that Donald Trump held a lot of respect for Michael Jackson, it would seem that he wasn’t completely unaffected by the public’s opinion towards the singer. When Howard Stern asked about the rumors surrounding the singer’s infamous sleepovers, the politician was quick to interject.
He mentioned that he was once defending Jackson when he was asked a question relating to Eric Trump, who was quite young at the time. He was asked if he had so much faith in the singer, would he feel safe if his son went for a sleepover with him?
I defended him but when I was asked if I would let my son Eric spend time with him, I said, ‘Are you crazy?’
Trump was quick to mention that the idea sounded crazy to him. He further mentioned that such an opportunity did arise for him in the past when Jackson asked if Eric Trump could come with him to Neverland Ranch. Although Stern was quick to call out the situation as peculiar, Trump mentioned that he would not have minded the idea of it.
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