Dennis Rodman Joins Trump in Texas, Praised for North Korea Diplomacy
The former NBA star, known for his past interactions with Kim Jong Un, accompanied President Trump on a campaign stop.
Former NBA player Dennis Rodman joined President Donald Trump in Texas on Thursday, appearing at a campaign stop in Denton ahead of an evening rally. The appearance comes as Trump prepares to re-engage in diplomatic efforts with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Trump, speaking at a Peterbilt Motors facility, credited Rodman with assisting in past diplomatic efforts with North Korea. "When I wanted to get to know Kim Jong Un, when we were having a problem... the one who knew him best was Dennis Rodman," Trump said. He recalled Rodman's previous trips to North Korea and his interactions with Kim, referring to Rodman as a "special guy."
Rodman, who attended college in Durant, Oklahoma, where Trump was scheduled to rally later that evening, was dressed in a T-shirt featuring his own image, paired with sparkly black pants and Crocs. He greeted Trump, calling him "my friend, my friend."
The five-time NBA champion has traveled to North Korea multiple times between 2013 and 2017, cultivating a relationship with Kim Jong Un, whom he has described as a "friend for life."
Sources close to Rodman indicated that he sees himself as an "ambassador of goodwill" between the United States and North Korea. They suggested that Trump has been soliciting ideas from Rodman as he considers future diplomatic strategies with Pyongyang. The Trump administration met with Kim Jong Un three times during Trump's presidency, though North Korea has recently expressed skepticism about the value of such summits if the goal is denuclearization.
While Rodman has been a conduit for communication, his past interactions have also drawn scrutiny. Journalist Josh Rogin reported on X that Rodman's 2014 trip to North Korea was marked by excessive drinking and an alleged incident of public intoxication and vandalism. Trump, when asked by reporters about Rodman and North Korea, expressed confidence in his administration's relationship with the country, stating, "We have a good relationship and you’re not going to have any problem — so long as I’m here, you’re not going to have any problems."