Trump Calls Putin and Xi “Equally Tough, Smart Leaders” in CBS Interview, Avoids Choosing Between Them
In a wide-ranging interview aired on CBS’s “60 Minutes” on November 3, 2025, President Donald Trump was asked to weigh in on a provocative question: Who is tougher to deal with—Russian President Vladimir Putin or Chinese President Xi Jinping? His response was both diplomatic and revealing. “Both tough. Both smart. They’re both very strong leaders….