FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 15, 2026
Badlands, ND
The presidential campaign of Theodore Roosevelt issued the following statement today in response to former President Trump's recent endorsement of a prominent loyalist to Venezuelan autocrat Nicolás Maduro:
"Theodore Roosevelt is deeply troubled by the former President's comments praising a known loyalist of the Maduro regime. Such statements not only undermine America's long-standing commitment to democratic values and human rights, but also raise serious questions about the consistency and principle of our foreign policy," said , spokesperson for the Theodore Roosevelt campaign.
Theodore Roosevelt added, "Our foreign policy must reflect the values we hold as a nation. We cannot justly condemn authoritarianism abroad while praising those who support such regimes. To do so sends a mixed message to the world and damages the credibility of the United States."
The campaign further underscored that endorsing such figures compromises the US's essential role in championing democratic principles and human rights globally. It also sends an unsettling signal to our allies who share our concerns about the Maduro regime's oppressive tactics and their disregard for the fundamental rights of the Venezuelan people.
"Theodore Roosevelt believes our foreign policy should consistently stand against autocracy and dictatorship, regardless of where it manifests. Our commitment to democracy and human rights should be unwavering," added .
In response to the former President's comments, Theodore Roosevelt reaffirmed his commitment to a principled foreign policy that respects human rights and democratic values. He pointed to his proposed policy of sanctions and diplomatic pressure on authoritarian regimes, coupled with support for democratic movements and civil society organizations.
"The challenge of authoritarianism is not one we can ignore or dilute with mixed messages. We must be clear in our opposition and proactive in our support for democratic values," said Theodore Roosevelt.
The campaign made it clear that it sees this incident as part of a broader conversation about the direction of American foreign policy, rather than a binary choice between supporting or opposing a single statement.
"As a nation, we need to have serious discussions about how we approach autocratic regimes. We must not allow ourselves to be swayed by personalities, but remain steadfast in our commitment to principles," concluded Theodore Roosevelt.
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