×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Sunday
25
Jan 2026
weather symbol
Athens 15°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> World

Donald Trump invites Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte to White House

Duterte often raises eyebrows by making incendiary comments

Newsroom May 1 01:31

President Donald Trump has invited Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte to the White House “to discuss the importance of the United States-Philippines alliance,” according to a White House readout of the leaders’ phone call on Saturday.

“It was a very friendly conversation, in which the two leaders discussed the concerns of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regarding regional security, including the threat posed by North Korea,” said the readout. “They also discussed the fact that the Philippine government is fighting very hard to rid its country of drugs, a scourge that affects many countries throughout the world.”

The readout continued, “President Trump enjoyed the conversation and said that he is looking forward to visiting the Philippines in November to participate in the East Asia Summit and the U.S.-ASEAN Summit.”

Duterte is a controversial and polarizing leader with a deadly and ruthless reputation. Since taking office last year, he has been outspoken in his support of extrajudicial killings of thousands of citizens accused of dealing or using drugs. His crackdown on suspected drug dealers and users has left nearly 2,800 people dead purportedly in gunbattles with police. Another 6,000 deaths are being investigated.

Duterte often raises eyebrows by making incendiary comments.

Last September, for example, he compared the Holocaust to his campaign to kill criminals.

“Hitler massacred three million Jews,” he incorrectly stated (in fact, 6 million Jews were killed). “Now, there are 3 million drug addicts [in the Philippines] … I’d be happy to slaughter them.”

And last year, after then-President Barack Obama criticized Duterte’s drug-fighting methods, the Philippine leader lashed out in a press conference, saying, “Mr. Obama, you can go to hell … I am the president of a sovereign country, and I am not answerable to anyone except the Filipino people. Son of a b—-, I will swear at you,” Duterte said.

He has been more effusive about Trump, though.

>Related articles

A university in Texas banned a professor from teaching Plato

ICE agents shot and killed a protester in Minneapolis (videos)

“The Discombobulator”: Trump’s revelation about the secret weapon the U.S. used during the capture of Maduro in Venezuela

At a press conference in Qatar earlier this month, Duterte compared himself to Trump, praising him as “a realistic and a pragmatic thinker.”

Duterte spoke positively about Trump’s desire to stop the illegal drug trade. “Look at his inaugural speech,” Duterte said. “He will stop drugs … We’re not different. He will really kill you.”

Source

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

#Duterte#Philippines#Trump#usa
> More World

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

Greece–Italy 12–5: Historic bronze medal at the European Water Polo Championship

January 25, 2026

The path of the patricide—from prison for the murder of his mother to admission to Dromokaiteio and his discharge

January 25, 2026

“We have appealed to the Council of State, to ministries, we asked for the intervention of the Transparency Authority—no one is doing anything,” says the mayor of Milos about the new environmental crime

January 25, 2026

“My child, I’m dying now, don’t hurt me anymore”: the last words of the 80-year-old before being killed by his son

January 25, 2026

Smiling climber Alex Honnold waves to onlookers watching him from inside the skyscraper in Taiwan – watch the video

January 25, 2026

New “ecological crime” with a five-star hotel in Mytakas, Milos, next to Sarakiniko – watch the video

January 25, 2026

Mitsotakis: Europe must remain united and maintain channels of cooperation with the US, even in times of tension – We seek an active role in Gaza

January 25, 2026

Week of pay rises for about 1 million private-sector employees due to changes in direct taxation – See examples

January 25, 2026
All News

> Politics

Mitsotakis: Europe must remain united and maintain channels of cooperation with the US, even in times of tension – We seek an active role in Gaza

The Prime Minister’s Sunday Facebook post, with references to initiatives in health and people with disabilities, sports & culture

January 25, 2026

Greece–Türkiye: Cautious diplomacy ahead of the Cooperation Council

January 23, 2026

Mitsotakis to Euronews after the EU Summit: Transatlantic relations are complex, Trump’s comments on de-escalation were positive (video)

January 23, 2026

Mitsotakis’ delicate balancing act after the crisis of trust in Euro-American relations

January 23, 2026

Metron Analysis: from 12.9% to 16%, the lead of ND in one month, 50% for Karstianos’ popularity

January 22, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα