Former NBA star Dennis Rodman began crying with emotion during a CNN interview Monday evening, heralding President Donald Trump's decision to launch diplomatic discussions with North Korea's Kim Jong Un.
Rodman is one of the only Americans to have visited the hermit kingdom and is deeply invested in the country's future. Wearing a red "Make America Great Again" cap on camera, Rodman stressed that he had shown North Korea his loyalty and trustworthiness.
"I said to everybody, the door will open," Rodman said, his voice cracking with emotion. "It's amazing, it's amazing, it's amazing. When I said those things, when I went back home, I got so many death threats, and I believed in North Korea, and I couldn't go home, I couldn't even go home. I had to hide out for 30 days, but I kept my head high, and I knew things were going to change…. No more hatred," Rodman stressed, breaking into tears. "I don't see the politics of this whole situation," he added.
Describing Kim with affection, Rodman said the North Korean leader loves to have a good time, wants his people to enjoy their lives, and would love to visit the United States. He also said that he understands English when he talks about basketball, a sport North Koreans allegedly enjoy.
"Kim Jong Un is not a dumb man," Rodman, one of the only Americans to have built a relationship with Kim, stressed.
Dennis Rodman gets emotional as he describes what it was like when he visited North Korea and returned home: "Today's a great day for everybody." pic.twitter.com/jhXWfo2Y8M
— Axios (@axios) June 12, 2018
Rodman traveled to Singapore for the summit and was sponsored by the marijuana-focused cryptocurrency company Potcoin. The company also sponsored one of Rodman's previous trips to the country, where he alleged gifted Kim a copy of Trump's book The Art of the Deal.
"He is our best resource right now for understanding the minds of the two men, especially Kim Jong Un," CNN reporter Chris Cuomo said about Rodman after the former basketball star finished speaking.
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