Guess who said that? referred to whom?

Saw this yesterday, Wish I were able to do such fine calibrated flattery

 

“He turned out to be a courageous person,” said *****, referencing $$$$$’s ... ... . “People show who they are in extraordinary circumstances. This is where a person reveals himself. And he showed himself, in my opinion, in a very correct manner, courageously. Like a man.”

 

Guess who said? referred to whom?