‘Not compatible with democracy’: John Howard slams former US president Donald Trump, says Kamala Harris ‘poor economic manager’

Former prime minister John Howard has slammed Donald Trump, saying he is “not compatible” with democracy while also taking a shot at Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.

Australia’s second longest-serving prime minister says Donald Trump is “not compatible with democracy”.

John Howard criticised the 45th President of the United States and Republican presidential candidate in an interview with Channel 9 this week.

“I think his refusal to accept the result of the last election and various attempts to overturn that result are not compatible with democracy,” Howard said.

“I think Donald Trump should have left the field when the umpire’s finger went up,” he said, striking a cricket simile.

Former US president Donald Trump is “not compatible” with democracy, former Australian prime minister John Howard said during an interview with Channel 9. Picture: AFP

Howard was referring to Trump’s failure to accept the fact he lost the 2020 election to his Democratic opponent and the violence which followed after the outgoing president urged his supporters to “fight like hell” - leading to the storming of the Capitol.

Despite being “not compatible with democracy”, Howard said Trump had the right to stand for a second term as President.

“You are only ever disqualified in a democracy by the vote of people,” Howard said.

“I was disqualified in 2007 because I lost the election.”

John Howard was Prime Minister from 1996 to 2007. Picture: Newswire/ Monique Harmer

The longtime Liberal Party prime minister said Kamala Harris did not impress him.

“I’m glad I don’t have a vote there … I don’t think she’s got a very good idea of how to run the American economy. But Donald Trump did not leave the field when the umpire’s finger went up.”

Howard batted away questions about who he would vote for in the US.

“Everything we’re witnessing in America tells us, that their political system is far inferior to ours.

“In a parliamentary system, Donald Trump would have never got to the leadership of the Republicans and I don’t think Kamala Harris would have ever got to the leadership of the Democrats.”

Kamala Harris was elected to the Senate in 2017. Picture: AFP

The Liberal Party of Australia has never had a female leader. The Australian Labor Party has only had one female leader.

“My strong view is that a parliamentary system is much better than a presidential system,” Howard said.

The US heads to the polls on November 5.

Originally published as ‘Not compatible with democracy’: John Howard slams former US president Donald Trump, says Kamala Harris ‘poor economic manager’