Donald Trump's 'dictator' claim seized upon by Joe Biden in bid to boost funds for campaign
Donald Trump's 'dictator' claim seized upon by Joe Biden in bid to boost funds for campaign
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Joe Biden has slammed Donald Trump's claim that he would be a "dictator" for a day as he attempts to woo donors.
The former president said he wanted "to be a dictator for one day" in order to push through his controversial migrant plans.
President Biden told donors at a political fundraiser on Monday that Trump is a threat to US democracy.
At the campaign event in Philadelphia, the President said "he's saying it out loud," when addressing Trump's remarks.
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President Biden said: "The other day he said he wants to be a dictator only on one day, wipe out the civil servants and a whole range of other things.
"He embraces political violence instead of rejecting it. We can’t let that happen."
During a speech on Saturday, Trump repeated a statement he made during a Fox News town hall last week that he did not intend to become a dictator if he wins the presidency again except "on day one".
Speaking at the New York Young Republican Club, Trump said: "I said I want to be a dictator for one day...and you know why I wanted to be a dictator? Because I want a wall, right? I want a wall and I want to drill, drill, drill."
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Trump was speaking at the New York Young Republican Club
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When asked about Trump's comments, White House spokesman Andrew Bates said Biden: "has been working to protect American democracy and to unite people of all political views against these unprecedented threats".
Bates did not mention the former Republican president by name.
It comes as Trump is headed for a likely election re-match with Biden in 2024.
The 77 year old has frequently promised "retribution" against political opponents if he gains power again.
Biden was speaking to donors in Philadelphia
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Trump has also called for the "termination" of parts of the Constitution over his false claims that his loss to Biden in the 2020 election was due to massive voter fraud.
Bates added: "And I want to say it is wrong to suspend the Constitution and abuse federal power to persecute critics and trample the First Amendment."
Despite being the Republican frontrunner, Trump has regularly skipped the Republican debates.
The US 2024 General Election is set to take place on November 5.