He is primarily a political leader, in exile from China. People like him because: - they care about religious/political freedom - he's an underdog, and his en

He is primarily a political leader, in exile from China. People like him because: - they care about religious/political freedom - he's an underdog, and his enemy is a notoriously authoritarian government I don't think he is a controversial figure in the US. But his political advocacy is not supported by everyone in rest of the world, and his reputation is probably more notorious if you talk to people on China's side.