Van Jones, a CNN political commentator and former member of the Obama administration, believes that President Donald Trump is “smarter than every one of his critics.”

He spoke to former CNN political commentator Chris Cillizza on his podcast when the host insinuated to Jones that he was befuddled by the president’s smarts.

“How the hell did Donald Trump figure out the mainstream media is now the fringe and the fringe is now the mainstream? How the hell did Donald Trump figure out — I mean, Joe Rogan is obvious, right? Like we knew the guy had a big audience, it’s not like we were stunned. But how was he — this 78-year-old guy who doesn’t even have a computer and still writes handwritten notes — how did he become the guy who cracked the code on, to your point, running a cultural (I don’t even want to say campaign) heading a cultural movement?” the host said

“It’s a movement. Every one of your people know: Elon, Elon, Elon,” Jones responded.

“The problem is you have this framework within your mind, “How can Donald Trump? How can Donald Trump? How can Donald Trump?” the CNN commentator said.

“Guys, can we cut it out? Donald Trump is not an idiot. Donald Trump, let me be very clear, Donald Trump is smarter than me, you, and all his critics. Do you know why we know? Because he has the White House, the Senate, the House, and the popular vote, he has a massive media ecosystem bigger than the mainstream built around him and for him, and a religious fervor in a political movement around him. And he is best buddies with the richest person in the history of the world. And the most relevant Kennedy is with him,” Jones said.

“This dude is a phenomenon. He is the most powerful human on earth, and in our lifetime, and we’re supposed to be like, ‘Well how did this guy…?’ We look like idiots,” he said.