Internet aghast as Donald Trump 'clarifies' he only wants to be 'dictator for a day'

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Former President Donald Trump stirred controversy once again during an eyebrow-raising speech at the 111th annual New York Young Republicans Club Gala in New York City.

Disputing reports and clarifying intentions

The 45th president, known for his rhetorical flair, revisited his recent claim of wanting to be a "dictator for one day" while addressing the crowd filled with notable figures such as Reps Matt Gaetz and Lauren Boebert.

"[Peter] Baker today in the New York Times said that I want to be a dictator," Trump complained, disputing a report from the news outlet. "I said I want to be a dictator for one day because I want a wall, and I want to drill, drill, drill," he clarified.

Trump dismissed accusations that he poses a threat to democracy, calling it the Democrats' "newest hoax." The audience, enthusiastic with MAGA supporters, including Gaetz and Boebert, applauded the former president's remarks.

The controversy began last week when Trump, in a town hall with Fox News' Sean Hannity, expressed his desire to be a dictator but clarified that it was limited to day one. “I want to close the border and I want to drill, drill, drill,” Trump said at the time. “Other than that, I am not a dictator.”

Social media reactions

The statement sparked fierce reactions on social media, with users expressing concerns about the implications of such a remark.

"Just don’t vote for this guy," one posted on X (formerly Twitter).

"If you can be a dictator for one day, what’s stopping you from two days? Who’s going to stop you? You? No thanks," another wrote.

"Day one dictator is what Dumpty said. Which in English means he will be a dictator from day one- not for one day," someone else added.

"If you’re a dictator on day one, you’re usually a dictator on day two, etc," another offered. 

Trump's critics pointed to past events, including the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021, his denial of the 2020 election results, and his praise for international dictators, as evidence supporting their claims.

President Biden humorously responded to the controversy at a fundraiser in Los Angeles, saying, "Thank God, only one day."

However, Trump's ally, Steve Bannon, criticized Hannity for even posing the question, labeling it as idiocy. “Sean Hannity actually thought he was helping Trump,” Bannon said afterwards. “Even to ask that question shows you’re an idiot. And we don’t have time for idiots, bro. This is a war, and we don’t have time for sunshine patriots and this nonsense.”

In his speech, Trump also addressed his past comments praising leaders like Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and Emmanuel Macron. He defended his statements, emphasizing that he couldn't say "bad things" about these leaders.

Denying threats to democracy amid legal challenges

Despite facing 91 criminal counts, Trump argued that he is not a threat to democracy, pointing the finger at President Biden as the "real threat."

“The radical left Democrats, their fake news allies have unveiled their newest hoax that Donald J. And the Republican Party are a threat to democracy,” the former president complained.

“This is their new line. Here we go again — ‘Russia, Russia, Russia,’ ‘Mueller, Mueller, Mueller,’ ‘Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine.’ One hoax after another,” he added. “But no, I’m not a threat. I will save democracy. The threat is Crooked Joe Biden.”

Trump, currently the frontrunner for the 2024 GOP nomination, took shots at his rival Florida Gov Ron DeSantis, suggesting he looks like a "bobblehead doll." Trump's lead in the 2024 GOP primary is significant, with a 47.6 percentage point advantage in the latest RealClearPolitics aggregate, the New York Post reported.

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