Day One: A Promise to Dictate Only If Re-elected

Former president Donald Trump emphasized that he would only act as a dictator on “Day One” if reelected in 2024. Trump’s latest comments came during an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News. Hannity asked Trump if he would use power against his political enemies if reelected. “You are promising America tonight you would never abuse power as retribution against anybody?” Hannity questioned. “Except for Day One,” Trump replied. “I want to close the border, and I want to drill, drill, drill,” he added. “I love this guy,” Trump said. “He says, ‘You’re not going to 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. After that, I’m not a dictator.”

Hannity also asked Trump if he has “any plans whatsoever if reelected president to abuse power, to break the law, to use the government to go after people?” Trump referenced his numerous indictments but sidestepped the question. “I often say Al Capone, he was one of the greatest of all time — if you like criminals,” Trump said. “And he got indicted once. I got indicted four times.” The Biden campaign responded to the interview on social media, with campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez stating, “Donald Trump has been telling us exactly what he will do if he’s reelected and tonight he said he will be a dictator on day one. Americans should believe him.”

Trump’s interview with Hannity took place ahead of the fourth Republican debate, which Trump said he will skip.