Berne Ecclestone has been making headlines with his recent statements about politicians, generating a lot of discussion. In a conversation with The Telegraph, the former head of Formula 1 congratulated Donald Trump on his return to the presidency of the United States. Trump’s epic return to the White House came after defeating Democratic Party candidate Kamala Harris in November.
Ecclestone praised Trump, saying, “Trump is the best thing that could have happened to the world. I said it a long time ago, Trump is a good negotiator. He knows how to get to agreements. Donald is directing the country as a company and is trying to take care of the people who work there.” He also referred to Trump as the “executive director of USA Limited,” rather than using the term president.
Ecclestone also revealed that he had tried to organize the F1 New York Grand Prix, involving Trump, but the US president wanted to put his name on everything. “In the end, I said: ‘The only thing you haven’t asked to be named after you is the toilet paper,'” Ecclestone joked.
Controversy over Putin comments
Ecclestone has a history of making statements that generate controversy. He previously defended Vladimir Putin, the president of the Russian Federation, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. “I would still take a bullet for him,” Ecclestone said, describing Putin as a “sensible” and “first-class” person who was doing what he believed was right for his country.
Ecclestone also criticized Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, saying that he could have done more to avoid the conflict. However, after facing criticism for his comments, Ecclestone apologized, stating, “I think people often say or do things without thinking too much. I probably did the same, and I can understand that people think I am defending what happened in Ukraine, but I want to clarify that it is not so.”
He continued, “I grew up during the war, the last war, so I know how it is. And I feel sorry that the people of Ukraine have to suffer like this. They have not done anything wrong. They have not caused anything. They want to move forward with their life.” Ecclestone’s comments on the war in Ukraine had sparked outrage, and his subsequent apology was an attempt to clarify his stance on the issue.