Opinion
Former President Donald Trump promised not to abuse power as a way to exact revenge on his political opponents, saying he won’t act like a “dictator” … “except on day one.”
Somebody do a wellness check on Liz Cheney!
Trump made the comments during a town hall hosted by Fox News personality Sean Hannity on Tuesday.
Hannity, perhaps referencing recent remarks by Cheney on her book tour, cornered Trump with a question about retribution and the abuse of power.
“Under no circumstances, you are promising America tonight, you would never abuse power as retribution against anybody?” he asked.
“Except for day one,” Trump fired back almost immediately.
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What Does Trump Mean That He’ll Act Like a Dictator on Day One?
There is quite a bit to break down in his comments because you just know the media is going to run with the Trump “dictator” line and turn Inauguration Day, 2024 into some sort of Day of Rage for liberals.
It’s fairly obvious that Trump is trying to make a clever pivot from Hannity’s question. His answer isn’t even referencing political payback as he further explains.
“I want to close the border and I want to drill, drill, drill,” he added.
That is more than likely a reference to the whirlwind of executive orders most presidents issue on day one in office.
President Joe Biden, you may recall, acted like a “dictator on day one” by issuing executive orders requiring masks in federal buildings, requiring “equity” in government, and making a proclamation to stop the construction of the border wall.
Hannity goes on to acknowledge that what Trump is referring to doesn’t exactly answer the question.
“That’s not retribution,” he replied.
The GOP frontrunner then did the ol’ “look at this silly little man” shtick.
“We love this guy. He says, ‘You’re not gonna be a dictator, are you?’ I said, ‘No, no, no, other than day one.’ We’re closing the border and we’re drilling, drilling, drilling,” said Trump. “After that, I’m not a dictator, ok?”
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Liz Cheney Must Be Beside Herself
Hannity’s query stems from a recent book by former Wyoming Representative Liz Cheney who remarked that Trump’s returning to the White House would be evidence that Americans are “sleepwalking into dictatorship.”
She’s reiterated those thoughts on her media book tour with a stop on NBC’s “TODAY” show with host Savannah Guthrie.
“I think it’s a very, very real threat and concern,” she said of the possibility the United States turns into a dictatorship under Trump. “And I don’t say any of that lightly and frankly, it’s painful for me…”
Cheney added that “there’s no question” Trump will try to remain in power beyond the four years of a second term.
In his interview with Hannity, Trump points out that everything the left accuses him of doing is exactly what President Biden has done to him and his supporters.
Political retribution? Jailing your opponent and his supporters? That’s dictator-esque, Liz.
When initially asked if he intends to use the power of the government to go after political opponents Trump replied, “You mean like they’re using right now?”
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