Elton John Calls Trump’s ‘Little Rocket Man’ Name for Kim Jong-un ‘Brilliant’

Elton John has recently shared his thoughts on Donald Trump’s infamous “Little Rocket Man” nickname for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, describing it as “brilliant.” During an interview with Variety at the Toronto International Film Festival, the musician expressed amusement upon hearing the name Trump bestowed upon Kim back in 2017.

Reflecting on the situation, John remarked, “I laughed, I thought that was brilliant.” He elaborated on his past interactions with Trump, stating, “I just thought, ‘Good on you, Donald.’…Donald’s always been a fan of mine, and he’s been to my concerts many, many times. I’ve always been friendly toward him, and I thank him for his support.” The playful nature of Trump’s nickname made John chuckle, and he appreciated the humor behind it.

When Trump met Kim in June 2018, he had to explain the meaning of the nickname, as Kim was reportedly unaware of Elton John or his music. According to a book by former national security adviser John Bolton, Trump even became fixated on gifting Kim a CD of John’s music. “Of course, he hasn’t heard of me, Kim Jong-un. I’d be very surprised if he had,” John commented, noting that he has never performed in North Korea and has no plans to do so in the future.

“I thought it was a light moment, and it was fun,” the 77-year-old singer added, showing an appreciation for the levity in the political situation despite its serious undertones.

While John expressed gratitude towards Trump for his support, he stopped short of endorsing him for re-election. Following the premiere of his new Disney+ documentary, Elton John: Never Too Late, the singer conveyed his hopes for the upcoming American election. “Kindness will always win out… that’s what I hope for the American election in November,” he said during a post-screening question-and-answer session.

John emphasized the importance of individual voting choices, stating, “I don’t go on stage and say to people, ‘You must vote for the Republicans, you must vote for the Democrats.’ It’s none of my business how they vote. They come to see me, and I’m so grateful they have.” His main concern appears to be the values and issues that Americans vote for.

He expressed a desire for Americans to prioritize justice and fundamental rights in their voting decisions. “What I want by saying that last night… there is a danger, as Dick Cheney said the other day. America is in a very volatile position,” John explained. He shared his deep love for the country, acknowledging that it has significantly shaped his identity and career.

Continuing on this theme, the ‘Tiny Dancer’ singer urged voters to consider issues that resonate with them, including the right to choose and the freedom to be oneself. “I just want people to vote for things that are just, things that are important to people: the right to choose, the right to be who you are, and not let anybody else tell you who to be. And that goes all the way up to the Supreme Court,” he stated.

In his reflections, John did not endorse either Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris. Instead, he expressed his hope that Americans make the right choice in the upcoming electoral decision, noting a longing for love to return to the national discourse. He remarked, “I just hope that people make the right decision to see what the future is going to be. Is it going to be fire and brimstone…or are we going to have a much calmer, a much safer place?”

John conveyed a heartfelt message about love and kindness, stating, “People can vote for who they like, but as far as I’m concerned, I love love. And I’m a loving person, and I want that to come back to America. I feel it’s been lost in the last 12 years.”