In a new interview with Reuters, Mr Trump weighs in on whether the North Korean dictator is a rational leader by pointing to the situation in which he found himself: Succeeding his late father, Kim Jong Il, at a very young age.

“He’s 27 years old,” Mr Trump said. “His father dies, took over a regime. So say what you want, but that is not easy, especially at that age.”

Mr Trump went on to clarify that he was not praising the North Korean leader.

“I’m not giving him credit or not giving him credit; I’m just saying that’s a very hard thing to do,” Mr Trump said. “As to whether or not he’s rational, I have no opinion on it. I hope he’s rational.”