Democrats and their media allies have expressed strong reactions to President Donald Trump’s recent jest during a town hall-style interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity. In response to critics’ claims that he might become a “dictator” if re-elected in 2024, Trump humorously mentioned being a “dictator” on “day one” as he signs executive orders to reverse President Joe Biden’s policies.
Former Trump advisor Steve Bannon criticized Hannity, calling him an “idiot” for posing the question that generated a response giving Trump’s adversaries ammunition. Bannon argued that instead of helping Trump address accusations of authoritarianism, Hannity inadvertently played into the hands of Trump’s critics. The town hall event in Iowa saw Hannity referring to media reports about Trump’s potential authoritarian leadership in a second term and his alleged use of powers for “retribution” against political foes.
“To be clear, do you in any way have any plans whatsoever, if reelected president, to abuse power, to break the law, to use the government to go after people?” Hannity asked.
Trump replied without hesitation, “You mean like they’re using right now.”
Hannity later continued to press the topic:
“Under no circumstances, you are promising America tonight you would never abuse power as retribution against anybody?”
“Except for day one,” Trump joked in response.
“I want to close the border and I want to drill, drill, drill,” Trump added to cheers from the audience.
Trump seemingly mocked Hannity and said to the audience:
“I love this guy, 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,” he joked.
WATCH:
Hannity asks Trump for a second time if he has plans to abuse power. Trump admits he plans to do some dictatorial things on "day one" of his second term. pic.twitter.com/51b9I8bIJ7
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 6, 2023
Bannon then went on to knock Fox News itself saying “TV for stupid people.”
Bannon then said, “Sean Hannity actually thought he was helping Trump last night – ‘Let me ask you a question, will you be a dictator?’”
He noted that both Trump and the audience were laughing AT Hannity’s ridiculous question.
“By the way, Sean, they’re laughing at you,” Bannon noted.
“They’re laughing at the stupid, ridiculous question — of course, Trump’s not a dictator. It’s absurd.”
Bannon went on to say that Hannity was “an idiot” for even asking the question.
“We don’t have time for idiots, bro,” he said to Hannity.
“This is a war, OK? This is a war.
“We don’t have time for sunshine patriots in this nonsense, and don’t carry the water for the Murdochs and don’t carry the water for the Left.”
“How dumb are you?” he later asked rhetorically.
“This is real life. We’re playing for keeps here, dude.
“We don’t care about your $25 million contract.
“We’re playing for keeps, this is war, and you’re just not good enough and just not smart enough.”
