Former president is making plans
Trump wants to become a dictator if re-elected – for one day
December 6, 2023, 7:56 a.m
Listen to article
This audio version was artificially generated. More info | Send feedback
Democrats see Donald Trump’s return to the White House as a threat to democracy. If he is re-elected as US President, the 77-year-old has a lot planned – from day one.
According to his own words, former US President Donald Trump will not become a dictator if he is re-elected – except on the first day of his term in office. “No. No. Except for the first day,” Trump said at a Fox News event in Davenport when asked whether he would become a “dictator” if he won the election in November. He would use his presidential powers on “day one” to close the southern border with Mexico and expand oil drilling. “We’re going to drill, drill, drill,” Trump said.
During the televised event, Trump had to be asked twice to deny that he would abuse his power to avenge political opponents if he returned to the White House. Trump is seeking a second term as US president and could run again against incumbent Democratic President Joe Biden. He has frequently threatened his political opponents with “retaliation” if he comes to power again.
Immediately after the event, Biden’s campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez said: “Donald Trump has told us exactly what he will do if he is re-elected, and tonight he said he will be a dictator on day one. Americans should believe him.” Biden has repeatedly warned that Trump is a threat to democracy and that a second Trump term could usher in an unprecedented and dangerous era of American autocracy.
Warnings are also coming from the Republican side: Former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney, who has openly criticized Trump and led the investigation into the Capitol attack, said this week that a Trump dictatorship was a “very real threat” if he wins re-election.