At one of his events, US presidential candidate Donald Trump appealed to Christians to vote in the elections now so that in 4 years they do not have to vote again. Writes UNN with reference to Washington Post.
Christians, get out and vote, just this once. You will not have to do it again. ... You must go out and vote. In four years you will not have to vote again. We will make sure that you do not have to vote
Democrats and others interpreted the comments as a signal of how Trump's second presidency would be run, recalling that he had previously said he would not be a dictator upon returning to office, "except for the first day.
This year's election is about democracy, and if we want to save it, we must vote against authoritarianism. Here Trump helpfully reminds us that the alternative is to never be able to vote again
MP Pramila Jayapal called Trump's comments "appalling".
Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) said: "The only way 'you don't have to vote anymore' is if Donald Trump becomes a dictator.
Trump's campaign says that his speech at the event, organized by the conservative group Turning Point Action, was aimed at discussing the unity of the country. Stephen Cheung, a spokesman for the campaign, clarified on Saturday that the former president spoke about bringing the nation together and striving for the common prosperity of Americans, amid political divisions that he said led to the assassination attempt.
Trump also continues to claim, without evidence, that the 2020 election was rigged against him and points to Democrats' reluctance to implement voter ID as an opportunity for electoral fraud, saying, "Democrats don't want voter ID because they want to cheat. But the Republicans need to win a landslide victory that can't be challenged.
When Vice President Harris says this election is about freedom, she means it. Our democracy is under attack from the criminal Donald Trump: After the last election, which Trump lost, he sent in a mob to overturn the results. In this campaign, he promised violence if he loses, the end of our elections if he wins, and the suspension of the Constitution to allow him to become a dictator and implement his dangerous Project 2025 agenda in America
Trump's comments also caused some concern among the Christian right.
David Lane, an organizer of conservative Christian pastors, said in a text message that Trump "may have gone a little overboard" in his remarks, as it could discourage conservative Christians from participating in shaping the outcome of the upcoming election.
Recall
Former US President Donald Trump said on Friday that if he does not win the November election, a major war and possibly World War III will break out in the Middle East.