Trump says ‘sometimes you need a dictator’ but insists, ‘I’m not a king at all’

DAVOS, SWITZERLAND: President Donald Trump said that “sometimes you need a dictator” while speaking to reporters at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, a remark that drew global attention and raised questions about his leadership rhetoric, according to media reports.

Trump later said that he is not a dictator while defending a lengthy speech he delivered earlier in the day.

The president made the remarks while speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday, January 21.

Trump reacts to praise for Davos speech

Trump told reporters he was mildly shocked that his speech earlier in the day received “great reviews,” saying he is usually portrayed as a tyrant. He offered insight into how he views his role as president while taking questions from the press after his address to the World Economic Forum on Wednesday.

The president made the remarks amid a broader, at times contentious, speech in which he reiterated his policy positions on international issues. “I can’t believe it, we got good reviews on that speech. Usually they say he’s a horrible dictator-type person,” Trump said.

“But sometimes you need a dictator, but they didn’t say that in this case.”

Critics accuse Trump of acting like a king

Beyond being labeled a dictator, many of Trump’s critics on the left have accused him of acting like a king.

There have been multiple “No Kings” rallies since he began his second term last year, with protesters from Los Angeles to New York City expressing frustration over Trump’s presidency. “By the way, I’m not a king,” Trump said at the time. “I’m not a king, I work my a** off to make our country great, that’s all it is. I’m not a king, at all.”

During his speech, Trump insisted he would not use force to take control of Greenland, though he repeatedly referred to it as “Iceland” by mistake.

Still, he continued to push the idea that the US should take over the “piece of ice, for world protection.”

He also issued a warning to Denmark, saying, “we will remember” if the country does not hand it over. When a reporter later pressed him on what he meant, Trump responded, “You’ll have to figure that out for yourself. You’re a smart guy.”

While some found it alarming that Trump suggested dictators have their place, the comments were not entirely surprising given his past praise of authoritarian leaders and comparisons of himself to royalty online. During his 2024 campaign, he openly said he wanted to be “dictator for one day.”