Trump has been publicly critical of Joe Kent since Kent resigned as director of the National Counterterrorism Center over Trump’s Iran policy, mixing mild personal praise with sharp attacks on his security judgment.

Quick Scoop: What did Trump say about Joe Kent?

Trump’s comments came right after Joe Kent quit in protest over the Iran conflict, saying Iran did not pose an “imminent threat” and that U.S. policy was being driven by pressure from Israel and its American lobby. In response, Trump tried to distance himself from Kent and framed the resignation as a positive for his administration.

Key quotes and phrases Trump used

Multiple outlets and clips show Trump using a consistent set of lines when asked about Joe Kent.

He has said things along the lines of:

  • He “always thought [Kent] was a nice guy.”
  • He “always thought he was weak on security” or “very weak on security.”
  • It’s “a good thing he’s out” or “a good thing he’s out/stepped down” after reading Kent’s statement.
  • He criticized Kent for saying “Iran was not a threat,” insisting “Iran was a threat.”

Put simply, Trump’s line has been: Joe Kent seems like a personally decent guy, but is, in Trump’s words, “weak on security,” especially regarding Iran.

Context: Why Trump is attacking Kent now

Joe Kent resigned in mid‑March 2026 as head of the National Counterterrorism Center, explicitly opposing Trump’s war with Iran and arguing Iran posed no imminent threat to the U.S. He also claimed the conflict was driven by Israeli pressure and its American lobby, positioning himself as a whistleblower against the administration’s policy.

Trump, under criticism from parts of his own political base for the Iran strikes, has used Kent’s exit to project strength and loyalty to his Iran strategy. Calling Kent “weak on security” signals to supporters that anyone questioning the threat posed by Iran is, in Trump’s framing, not tough enough on national security.

The twist: Trump used to praise Joe Kent

A big part of the online discussion is about how Trump’s current criticism clashes with how he talked about Joe Kent before.

  • When he nominated Kent to run the National Counterterrorism Center in early 2025, Trump highlighted Kent’s background as a former Green Beret and CIA officer and praised him as a “great American hero” who had spent his life going after terrorists and criminals.
  • He also publicly honored Kent’s late wife, Shannon, who was killed on Navy duty in Syria, saying Kent was continuing her legacy.

Now, after Kent’s resignation, Trump is downplaying how well he knew him (“I didn’t know him well”) while simultaneously saying he always thought Kent was “weak on security.” That perceived flip‑flop is what a lot of commentators and forum users are mocking or criticizing.

How forums and social media are reacting

Online discussions and comment threads have picked up on the irony and contradictions in Trump’s messaging about Joe Kent.

Common themes people are talking about:

  1. “Weak on security” but chosen for counterterrorism
    • Users point out the absurdity of Trump saying he always thought Kent was weak on security while having appointed him to lead the National Counterterrorism Center.
 * One popular reaction, paraphrased, is basically: “So you thought he was weak on security, and still put him in the top counterterror job?”
  1. Distancing tactic after a break with policy
    • Commentators note this fits Trump’s familiar pattern: praise someone strongly while they’re loyal, then minimize or belittle them once they break with him.
 * Articles and posts highlight how a resurfaced 13‑month‑old pro‑Kent message clashes with his current dismissive tone.
  1. Debate over Iran threat
    • Some people side with Kent, arguing that he’s taking a principled stand by saying Iran posed no imminent threat and that the war benefits neither American lives nor interests.
 * Others agree with Trump’s harder line on Iran, framing Kent as naive or too soft on national security.

A rough paraphrase of the vibe in forums:
“Trump: ‘I always thought he was weak on security.’ Also Trump: makes him top counterterrorism chief. You can’t have it both ways.”

Mini FAQ: “What did Trump say about Joe Kent?” (in plain terms)

  1. Did Trump insult Joe Kent personally?
    • He has not gone into deep personal insults, but he did question Kent’s intelligence and judgment, calling him “not very smart” and “weak on security” after the resignation.
  1. Did Trump say anything positive about Kent?
    • Yes, he often prefaces his criticism by saying he thought Kent was a “nice guy” or “pretty nice guy.”
  1. What is the main line Trump keeps repeating?
    • That Kent said “Iran was not a threat,” and that Trump insists “Iran was a threat,” using this to justify calling it “a good thing he’s out.”
  1. Why is this a trending topic now?
    • Because Kent’s resignation is one of the first high‑profile breaks inside Trump’s national security team over the Iran war, and Trump’s shifting description of Kent (from “hero” to “weak on security”) is fueling debate and satire online.

TL;DR: Trump has said Joe Kent is a “nice guy” but “weak on security,” calling it “a good thing he’s out” after Kent resigned and argued Iran was not an imminent threat; critics are highlighting how sharply this contrasts with Trump’s earlier praise of Kent as a national‑security hero.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.