In a recent tweet, Alex Skolnick commented on Donald Trump’s previous statements about dictatorship.
When a user said Trump praised Xi as China’s ‘President for Life’ and suggested the U.S. might try that someday, the guitarist retweeted and wrote:
“Yes thank you. I remember that moment so well, yet it’s so rarely mentioned, it feels like I imagined it. He dipped his toe in ‘dictator’ speak that day, then went quiet with it, now it’s back. It should’ve been disqualifying the first time.”
What Did Trump Say?
Trump is criticized for saying ‘in four years, you don’t have to vote again.’ Democratic lawmakers and Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign argue he suggested ending elections if he wins a second term. Trump made the comment at the Believers Summit in West Palm Beach, Fla, saying:
“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.”
Democrats and others saw the comments as a sign of how Trump would run a second term. They recalled him saying he wouldn’t be a dictator if re-elected, ‘except for Day One.’ Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), running for Senate, shared Trump’s speech clip on X, writing:
“This year democracy is on the ballot, and 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.) called Trump’s comments ‘terrifying.’ Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) said, ‘The only way ‘you won’t have to vote anymore’ is if Donald Trump becomes a dictator.’
The Trump campaign says his comments were about uniting the country. Campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said Trump meant to bring prosperity to all Americans and end political division.
You can see Alex’s tweet below.
Yes thank you. I remember that moment so well, yet it’s so rarely mentioned, it feels like I imagined it. He dipped his toe in “dictator” speak that day, then went quiet with it, now it’s back. It should’ve been disqualifying the first time.
— Alex Skolnick (@AlexSkolnick) July 27, 2024