Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, speaking at an event organised by the conservative group Turning Point Action in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday, made a bold statement to Christians, suggesting that if they vote for him this November, they might not need to vote again in four years.
"Christians, get out and vote, just this time," Trump urged, as quoted by news agency Reuters. "You won't have to do it anymore. Four more years, you know what, it will be fixed, it will be fine, you won't have to vote anymore, my beautiful Christians."
Jason Singer, a spokesperson for the Harris campaign, described Trump's overall speech as "bizarre" and "backward-looking" but did not directly address Trump's remarks about Christians not needing to vote again, Reuters reported.
Trump's comments come amid accusations from his Democratic opponents that he poses a threat to democracy, particularly in view of his efforts to overturn his 2020 defeat to US President Joe Biden, which led to the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
Trump continued, "I love you Christians. I'm a Christian. I love you, get out, you gotta 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 stated.
When asked to clarify Trump's comments, campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung did not directly address them but mentioned that Trump "was talking about uniting this country" and attributed the "divisive political environment" to an attempted assassination on Trump two weeks ago, as per Reuters' report. Investigators have yet to provide a motive for the 20-year-old gunman's attack.
Democrats Seize On Trump's 'Dictator' Remark, He Hints On Possibility Of Serving More Than 2 Terms
In a December interview with Fox News, Trump said he would act as a dictator only on "day one" to secure the southern border with Mexico and expand oil drilling if he wins the November 5 election. Democrats have seized on this comment, though Trump later claimed it was a joke.
Under the U.S. Constitution, presidents are limited to two terms, consecutive or not. If Trump wins a second term, he can only serve four more years. In May, speaking at a National Rifle Association gathering, Trump referenced Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency, the only one to exceed two terms, quipping about the possibility of serving more than two terms himself.
"You know, FDR, 16 years - almost 16 years - he was four terms. I don't know, are we going to be considered three-term? Or two-term?" Trump asked the NRA crowd, as per the report.
Trump's Friday remarks come as he has previously enjoyed strong support from evangelical voters.
The race has intensified following US President Biden's decision not to seek reelection, with Vice President Kamala Harris becoming the presumptive Democratic nominee. Recent opinion polls indicate that Trump's lead over Biden has significantly diminished since Harris's emergence as the Democratic contender. ALSO READ | US Presidential Election: Kamala Harris In Tight Race With Donald Trump After Biden Steps Down