Donald Trump says he will be a DICTATOR if re-elected 'but only on day one'
The former president was asked to deny that he would use ‘power as retribution’
Reuters
Donald Trump said he will be a 'dictator' if he returns to the White House - but only on 'day one'.
The former president was speaking at town hall event in Iowa with Fox News host Sean Hannity.
Mr Hannity asked Mr Trump twice during the televised town hall event in Iowa to deny that he would abuse power to seek revenge on political opponents, if re-elected.
It comes as the Republican presidential frontrunner has previously talked about targeting his rivals, referring to them as "vermin", and vowed to seek retribution if he wins a second term.
Trump has promised to prosecute Biden if he wins a second term in the White House.
Reuters
Mr Hannity asked Mr Trump: "Under no circumstances, you are promising America tonight, you would never abuse power as retribution against anybody?"
The former president responded: "Except on day one." He added would use his presidential powers to close the southern border with Mexico and expand oil drilling.
Trump then repeated his assertion. "I love this guy." he said of the Fox News host.
Hannity said: "You’re not going to be a dictator, are you?" Trump responded: "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."
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Trump’s campaign rhetoric and sweeping plans for a second term that include firing large swathes of the federal bureaucracy
Reuters
The former president was asked if he had "any plans whatsoever, if re-elected president, to abuse power, to break the law to use the government to go after people."
Trump responded saying: "You mean like they’re using right now?"
It comes as Trump said a large part of his reforms would include large cuts to federal bureaucracy.
Joe Biden's campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez said: "Donald Trump has been telling us exactly what he will do if he’s re-elected and tonight he said he will be a dictator on day one. Americans should believe him."
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Meanwhile Trump has tried to turn the tables on Biden who he said was a: "destroyer of American democracy".
He has promised to prosecute Biden if he wins a second term in the White House.
Trump is planning to skip the Republican debate later today and will spend the evening at a fundraiser in Florida instead.
Trump has been dominating his rivals both nationally and in Iowa, which will kick off the election with its caucuses on January 15.