Name a leader he has anything positive to say about who isn't brutal dictator.

Orbán isn't brutal AFAIK.

Meloni of Italy, Milei of Argentina, Shinzo Abe of Japan, Modi of India, etc etc not hard at all to find plenty of examples

He seems to quite like Keir Starmer and Meloni.

Milei was democratically elected and he praises him all the time.

Anthony Albanese.

Alexander Stubb, Finish President

Must? its a choice. Even more of a choice when you're on top.

Trump might not have a choice not because they don't exist, but because he is incapable of understanding them. He's clear on not believing in win/win scenarios.

Trump has stated his admiration for Putin, Xi and Kim Jong Un.

He respects them to the extent that you must for competent opponents. Sometimes, you have to play politics. You have to try to get what you want with compliments before you rush to sacrifice American lives and treasure over what might have been settled diplomatically. And sometimes, you have to bide your time for the right moment to show your full hand.