A Fox News host appears to have inadvertently stoked fear about whether former President Donald Trump would, if he were to win office again, cede power at the end of his term.
While the presidential election is still months away, thoughts have already turned to the end of the winner's term. Trump critics have warned that the presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee may try to cling to power indefinitely if he wins the election in November—with historian Michael Beschloss saying Trump could become a "dictator" who remained in power "for the rest of our lifetimes."
Jesse Watters, a Fox News host, dismissed Beschloss' fears, saying, "Everybody knows Trump's going to leave office, just like he did the last time." Rather than reassure viewers, his prediction seems to have sparked alarm online, with one viewer writing on X, formerly Twitter, "That's what we're worried about."
Trump left office after losing the 2020 presidential election to Democrat Joe Biden. But the former president continues to claim without evidence that the election was "rigged" and "stolen" from him. On January 6, 2021, thousands of Trump's supporters gathered in Washington, D.C., and he told them to "fight like hell" to save their country. More than 2,000 rioters stormed the Capitol, forcing politicians, including Vice President Mike Pence, to flee and hide from the mob.
Newsweek has contacted Trump's representatives for comment by email.
Trump was impeached by the House on charges of inciting violence against the U.S. government, and hundreds of rioters were charged. At a campaign rally in March, Trump described the imprisoned rioters as "hostages" and "patriots."
On April 8, Watters addressed the possibility of a second Trump presidency on his Fox News show, Jesse Watters Primetime. The host screened a clip of Beschloss speaking on NBC News, in which the historian referred to claims made by Trump that he planned to be a dictator only "on day one" by "closing the border."
Beschloss said: "You hear about Trump saying he's going to be a dictator for a day, which is not going to be for a day if it happens. It could be for the rest of our lifetimes, and our children's and more."
Linking the story to Monday's solar eclipse, Watters said that in ancient times, people feared the moon may never leave and reveal the sun again. He seemed unconcerned that he was comparing a Trump presidency to darkness. He added, "Just like what happens after every eclipse, everybody knows Trump's going to leave office, just like he did the last time." Watters shared the eight-minute segment on X.
Since the beginning of time, humans have seen solar eclipses as bad omens. But once the moon passes the sun, everything goes back to normal. It always does and it always will. But this year, Biden doesn’t want you to see what’s coming and he wants you to forget what happens next.… pic.twitter.com/scHk9bygcM
— Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) April 9, 2024
Commenters on the social media platform did not appear reassured by Watters' claim. One wrote on X that if Trump acted as he allegedly did the last time he left office, it would involve "spouting a big lie, attempting a coup, sending his followers after his vp, and stealing [national security] secrets."
"Let's be clear. He didn't leave willingly," another user wrote. "He just wasn't successful with his coup. He won't make that mistake next time."
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