Trump says China is 'laughing' at the US about Dr. Seuss while 'trying to kill us in so many different ways'

• Former President Donald Trump said China was laughing at the United States for being "woke"
• He cited a row in the US over racism in the Dr. Seuss books, which had drawn criticism from conservative critics.
• "When China looks at woke they see the biggest problem we have is Dr Seuss - in the meantime they are building factories and trying to kill us in so many different ways," he told Fox News.

Donald Trump on Monday said China was laughing at the United States for being "woke" over the racism row concerning Dr. Seuss books, while "trying to kill us in so many ways."

Trump was asked on Fox News on Monday why he was continuing to air his views on politics after leaving the White House, which represents a break from presidential tradition.

He replied that he felt compelled to because President Joe Biden's administration along with progressive Democratic lawmakers, were "destroying our country."

"When China looks at woke they see the biggest problem we have is Dr Seuss - in the meantime they are building factories and trying to kill us in so many different ways," Trump told Fox News on Monday.

"They laugh at us. They think we're so ... Frankly, they think our country is stupid when they look at this, when our competitors look at what's going on in our country. Taking down the statues to great heroes and so many other things."

The president was a frequent critic of China during his time in office, most recently criticised for its role in the coronavirus pandemic, which he has referred to as "the kung flu" and the "China virus."

Trump's reference to Dr. Seuss references a row about the late author after his estate said they would stop publishing several of his books due to their racist and offensive imagery.

Dr. Seuss Enterprises said it took the decision to remove six books from sale because they "portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong."

The decision drew criticism from multiple conservative pundits and politicians including Sen. Ted Cruz and Donald Trump Jr., who said the move demonstrated that the "woke mob" had caught up with the author, who died 30 years ago.

-Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) March 3, 2021

The publicity caused several Dr. Seuss books which had not been pulled from sale to rise to the top of Amazon's list of best-selling books, a fact which was celebrated by Sen. Cruz, who posted a picture of the list on Twitter with the caption: "Could Biden try to ban my book next?"