Singer Elton John recently praised former President Donald J. Trump’s ‘Little Rocket Man’ nickname for North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, calling it “brilliant.” The 77-year-old, responsible for the hit song Rocket Man, told Variety: “I laughed, I thought it was brilliant. Good on you, Donald. The Rocket Man, yeah.” He said that Trump has attended several of his concerts, describing their relationship as friendly.
Trump coined the nickname in 2017 in reference to Kim’s ballistic missile tests and nuclear program. In 2018, Trump disclosed plans to gift Kim an Elton John album featuring the song Rocket Man. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo detailed in his 2022 memoir, Never Give an Inch, that Trump had to explain the nickname’s significance to Kim, who was unfamiliar with John’s music. Trump, who achieved a significant thawing in U.S.-North Korean relations following his initial tough stance, reportedly autographed an Elton John CD for Kim.
Elton John on his reaction to Donald Trump calling Kim Jong Un “Little Rocket Man”: “I laughed, I thought that was brilliant… I’ve always been friendly toward him, and I thank him for his support. When he did that, I just thought it was hilarious.” https://t.co/QXV9VqAtuT pic.twitter.com/MNhsNzFwlR
— Variety (@Variety) September 7, 2024
John has conducted shows at the late conservative firebrand Rush Limbaugh’s wedding, and Trump’s wedding to Melania Trump. “I’ve always been friendly towards [Trump], and I thank him for his support,” John said, adding: “I just thought it was hilarious.”