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Supporters of Donald Trump suggested they want him to be a dictator if re-elected to the White House after the former president received backlash over his previous remarks.
In a recent town hall with Fox News' Sean Hannity, Trump was asked to promise that he would never "abuse power as retribution against anybody" if he wins the next election, amid media concerns about the consequences of the frontrunner in the 2024 GOP primary becoming president again.
Trump replied: "Except for day one," adding: "I want to close the border and I want to drill, drill, drill," he added in reference to his vow to expand oil drilling in the U.S.
President Joe Biden, Trump's presumptive opponent in the 2024 election, has used Trump's remarks to suggest the Republican is a danger to democracy and should not be allowed back in the White House.
Trump also repeated the claim that he wants to be dictator for "one day" if he reenters the White House at speech at the New York Young Republican Club on Saturday, December 10.
"[Peter] Baker today in The New York Times, he said that I want to be a dictator. I didn't say that, I said I want to be a dictator for one day," Trump said. "And you know why I wanted to be a dictator? Because I want a wall, right? I want a wall and I want to drill, drill, drill."
In the wake of his comments, a number of Trump supporters online have said in recent days they would back the former president if he acts like a dictator in power.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, while sharing a picture of Trump on stage during the December 10 gala, Gavin Mario Wax, leader of the New York Young Republican Club, said: "I want to go on record and say I am fully supportive of President Trump becoming dictator for one day so long as he works with the @NYYRC on getting the best staging and optics. This is art."
In response, Reed Cooper, 19, a self-described "number one fan" of Trump, wrote: "I want to go on record and say I am fully supportive of President Trump becoming dictator for a lot more than one day."
I want to go on record and say I am fully supportive of President Trump becoming dictator for a lot more than one day. ?
— Reed Cooper (@ReedMCooper) December 10, 2023
Others have make less light-hearted comments that they would support Trump even as a dictator.
After Majid Padellan, better known as the popular left-wing X account BrooklynDad, condemned Trump for his dictator comments, fellow X user Meleighah Stephens wrote: "Damn right he is!!! When he wins that dictator will shut down OUR border and protect Americans before anyone else I for one can't wait to have Trump fight for us!!"
The @charliekulyrwah account posted: "I can't wait for the next Donald Trump Dictator Administration! Who agrees?" while sharing a gif of the former president wearing a crown and royal attire.
Another pro-Trump social media account wrote: "Demorat leftards are gonna be playing this clip from Hannity of Trump until election day. Trump said he'll be a dictator for one day to close the border and drill baby drill. I can't wait."
Trump's office has been contacted for comment via email.
During a recent speech in Philadelphia, Biden said that Trump's dictator comments show he is telling voters of his intentions "out loud."
"The other day he said he wants to be a dictator only on one day, wipe out the civil servants and a whole range of other things," Biden said, via Reuters. "He embraces political violence instead of rejecting it. We can't let that happen."
When asked about Trump's comments, White House spokesman Andrew Bates said Biden "has been working to protect American democracy and to unite people of all political views against these unprecedented threats," without mentioning the former president by name.
Senior Trump adviser Jason Miller previously rejected concerns Trump would become a dictator if he is re-elected president.
"It's August 2016 all over again. Skyrocketing cost of health care has millions worried. President Trump's Dem. opponent off the campaign trail & hiding from the press," Miller posted on X on December 4. "Dems & their media allies have given up on debating issues & have shifted to name-calling & rhetorical fearmongering."
About the writer
Ewan Palmer is a Newsweek News Reporter based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on US politics, and Florida ... Read more