Former President and Republican candidate Donald Trump on Friday courted controversy as he urged Christians to "get out and vote" because if they voted for him in November, they wouldn't have to vote again. The remarks went viral on social media as Democrats claimed he was implying about ending elections in the United States.
Trump's statement came during a speech to a gathering of religious conservatives in West Palm Beach, Florida. While lamenting how Christians do not vote in large numbers, a complaint he always raised, Trump said: "Christians, get out and vote. Just this time. You won’t have to do it anymore. You got to get out and vote. In four years, you don’t have to vote again. We’ll have it fixed so good you’re not going to have to vote," he said while warning them about the perceived threat from the Left.
"They don’t vote like they should," Mr. Trump said of Christians. "They’re not big voters."
He’s telling us he’ll be a dictator. HE’S TELLING US. America wake up. Let’s tell him this is NOT who we are.
— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) July 27, 2024
This is what a dictator sounds like:
Trump said "Christians, get out and vote, just this time. "You won't have to do it anymore. Four more years, you know what, it will… pic.twitter.com/FGKe1pozGJ
However, the remark triggered a row with Democrats suggesting that Trump was hinting at how he would end elections in the country if he won another term. Some claimed his statement reflected the "authoritarian, anti-democratic" attitude of the former President.
Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung later clarified that Trump was only talking about "uniting this country and bringing prosperity to every American as opposed to the divisive political environment that has sowed so much division and even resulted in an assassination attempt."
But Kamala Harris's campaign spokesman said Trump's statement was an assault on Democracy. James Singer in a statement said Trump had promised violence if he loses and the end of elections if he wins. Singer said Trump was talking about terminating the Constitution to empower him to be a dictator to enact his dangerous Project 2025 agenda on America.
More Democrats rallied against Trump. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who is running for Senate, shared the clip of Trump’s speech on X, stating that democracy was on the ballot this year. "If we are to save it, we must vote against authoritarianism. Here Trump helpfully reminds us that the alternative is never having the chance to vote again."
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) also called Trump’s comments “terrifying.”
The social media also highlighted Trump's earlier statement during an interview with Sean Hannity where he said he "would not be a dictator other than Day 1."
"We’re closing the border. And we’re drilling, drilling, drilling. After that, I’m not a dictator."
