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The Star
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Pentagon chief irks Singaporeans with Lee-Trump comparison
SINGAPORE (AFP): US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth rankled Singaporeans on Saturday by likening President Donald Trump to the city-state's late founding premier Lee Kuan Yew. In a major speech outlining US strategy in the Asia-Pacific region, Hegseth referred to both leaders as "historic men". "Like the late prime minister, President Trump's approach is grounded in common sense and national interests," he said at the Shangri-La Dialogue which gathers key defence leaders from around the world. Lee, a British-trained lawyer, served as Singapore's prime minister for three decades. Hegseth praised his "sage leadership and strategic vision". "That's what common sense policies can achieve, and that's precisely what President Trump's vision is all about." Lee, who turned Singapore into a high-tech industrial and financial centre, remains highly revered in Singapore more than a decade after his death. Social media erupted with loud and acerbic criticism of Hegseth's comparison. "One is historic, the other is hysteric," said one commenter, while another remarked: "Trump compared to Lee Kuan Yew? That's like saying instant noodles are the same as fine dining." "I felt a tremor just now. Must be LKY rolling hard in his grave," said someone else on social media, using Lee's initials. - AFP


Daily Express
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Pentagon chief irks Singaporeans with Lee-Trump comparison
Published on: Saturday, May 31, 2025 Published on: Sat, May 31, 2025 By: AFP Text Size: Pete Hegseth said like the late Lee Kuan Yew, the US president's approach is grounded in common sense and national interests. (AFP pic) SINGAPORE: US secretary of defence Pete Hegseth rankled Singaporeans on Saturday by likening President Donald Trump to the city-state's late founding premier Lee Kuan Yew. In a major speech outlining US strategy in the Asia-Pacific region, Hegseth referred to both leaders as 'historic men'. 'Like the late prime minister, President Trump's approach is grounded in common sense and national interests,' he said at the Shangri-La Dialogue which gathers key defence leaders from around the world. Lee, a British-trained lawyer, served as Singapore's prime minister for three decades. Hegseth praised his 'sage leadership and strategic vision'. 'That's what common sense policies can achieve, and that's precisely what President Trump's vision is all about.' Advertisement Lee, who turned Singapore into a high-tech industrial and financial centre, remains highly revered in Singapore more than a decade after his death. Social media erupted with loud and acerbic criticism of Hegseth's comparison. 'One is historic, the other is hysteric,' said one commenter, while another remarked: 'Trump compared to Lee Kuan Yew? That's like saying instant noodles are the same as fine dining.' 'I felt a tremor just now. Must be LKY rolling hard in his grave,' said someone else on social media, using Lee's initials. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia


New Straits Times
13 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
US defence chief Hegseth's Trump and Lee Kuan Yew comparison sparks backlash in Singapore
SINGAPORE: US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth rankled Singaporeans on Saturday by likening President Donald Trump to the city-state's late founding premier Lee Kuan Yew. In a major speech outlining US strategy in the Asia-Pacific region, Hegseth referred to both leaders as "historic men." "Like the late prime minister, President Trump's approach is grounded in common sense and national interests," he said at the Shangri-La Dialogue which gathers key defence leaders from around the world. Lee, a British-trained lawyer, served as Singapore's prime minister for three decades. Hegseth praised his "sage leadership and strategic vision." "That's what common sense policies can achieve, and that's precisely what President Trump's vision is all about." Lee, who turned Singapore into a high-tech industrial and financial centre, remains highly revered in Singapore more than a decade after his death. Social media erupted with loud and acerbic criticism of Hegseth's comparison. "One is historic, the other is hysteric," said one commenter, while another remarked: "Trump compared to Lee Kuan Yew? That's like saying instant noodles are the same as fine dining." "I felt a tremor just now. Must be LKY rolling hard in his grave," said someone else on social media, using Lee's initials.--AFP


RTHK
13 hours ago
- Politics
- RTHK
Hegseth sparks potshots with Lee-Trump comparison
Hegseth sparks potshots with Lee-Trump comparison Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in the midst of making his speech outlining US strategy in the region at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. Photo: Reuters US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth rankled Singaporeans on Saturday by likening President Donald Trump to the city-state's late founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew. In a major speech outlining US strategy in the Asia-Pacific region, Hegseth referred to both leaders as "historic men". "Like the late prime minister, President Trump's approach is grounded in common sense and national interests," he said at the Shangri-La Dialogue which gathers key defence leaders from around the world. Lee, a British-trained lawyer, served as Singapore's prime minister for three decades. Hegseth praised his "sage leadership and strategic vision". "That's what common sense policies can achieve, and that's precisely what President Trump's vision is all about." Lee, who turned Singapore into a high-tech industrial and financial centre, remains highly revered in Singapore more than a decade after his death. Social media erupted with loud and acerbic criticism of Hegseth's comparison. "One is historic, the other is hysteric," said one commenter. Another said: "Trump compared to Lee Kuan Yew? That's like saying instant noodles are the same as fine dining." "I felt a tremor just now. Must be LKY rolling hard in his grave," said someone else on social media, using Lee's initials. (AFP)


Time of India
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Pentagon chief irks Singaporeans with Lee-Trump comparison
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth rankled Singaporeans on Saturday by likening President Donald Trump to the city-state's late founding premier Lee Kuan Yew . In a major speech outlining US strategy in the Asia-Pacific region, Hegseth referred to both leaders as "historic men". "Like the late prime minister, President Trump's approach is grounded in common sense and national interests," he said at the Shangri-La Dialogue which gathers key defence leaders from around the world. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo Lee, a British-trained lawyer, served as Singapore's prime minister for three decades. Hegseth praised his "sage leadership and strategic vision". Live Events "That's what common sense policies can achieve, and that's precisely what President Trump's vision is all about." Lee, who turned Singapore into a high-tech industrial and financial centre, remains highly revered in Singapore more than a decade after his death. Social media erupted with loud and acerbic criticism of Hegseth's comparison. "One is historic, the other is hysteric," said one commenter, while another remarked: "Trump compared to Lee Kuan Yew? That's like saying instant noodles are the same as fine dining." "I felt a tremor just now. Must be LKY rolling hard in his grave," said someone else on social media, using Lee's initials.