'When I wanted to get to know Kim Jong-un, Dennis Rodman knew him best'

Rodman, who visited North Korea five times, is friends with Kim; Trump says 'Kim Jong-un and I get along'

Former NBA player Dennis Rodman arrives at the Peterbilt Motors factory in Denton, Texas, as President Donald Trump visits the facility Thursday (local time). [AFP]
Former NBA player Dennis Rodman arrives at the Peterbilt Motors factory in Denton, Texas, as President Donald Trump visits the facility Thursday (local time). [AFP]

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President Donald Trump on Thursday (local time) brought up former NBA star Dennis Rodman and spoke about his connection to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Speaking at the Peterbilt truck factory in Denton, Texas, Trump spotted Rodman in the crowd and introduced him as "a legend of basketball." He went on to praise Rodman as the greatest rebounder in basketball history and a longtime personal friend.

Trump said that when he wanted to learn more about Kim, "the person who knew him best was Dennis Rodman," and recalled how Rodman had previously visited North Korea and played with its basketball team.

Trump noted that when he was trying to get to know Kim, the two sides had "a problem," but added, "Kim Jong-un and I get along" now. Trump did not elaborate, but the remarks drew attention to whether he may have sought Rodman's insight — or exchanged views about Kim — at a time when Rodman had a personal relationship with the North Korean leader.

Trump faced severe tensions with North Korea during his first term before meeting Kim three times between 2018 and 2019 for summit diplomacy. In his second term, he has continued to signal willingness to resume dialogue with Kim.

Rodman has visited North Korea five times, using Kim's well-known love of basketball as a bridge to meet the leader and his family in person.

Trump also mentioned that North Korea had invited Rodman to visit and play with its basketball team. He said the team "wasn't very good at the time" and added that he was not sure how much Rodman had helped them. "Dennis would have had to play on the team himself" to make a real difference, Trump joked.


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