Donald Trump joked on Wednesday that he could stay in office for “10 or 14” years, saying it would be a good way to provoke the news media.
Trump told supporters at an outdoor rally that if he suggests he might stay in office past two terms, the media would respond by saying “see, he’s a despot.”
“There’ll be headlines tomorrow: ‘Donald Trump wants to break Constitution,’” Trump predicted, before adding that he was making the comments to annoy “fakers” in the media.
The Constitution limits the president to serving two consecutive terms in office.
“In six years, they’re all going to be out of business,” Trump said of news outlets.
The news media is a frequent target for Trump at his political rallies
WATCH:
After bashing the media, Trump "jokes" about serving more than 2 terms in office. Funny how that seems to be a recurring topic for him these days. pic.twitter.com/IBtGuMkGcI [1]
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 9, 2019 [2]
Twitter had some thoughts:
The only 10 to 14 years that I want Trump to have is a prison sentence.
— Owen M Rumelt (@OMRcomment) May 9, 2019 [3]
He’s not joking. And it’s not funny.
— Lulu (@Luluspeens) May 9, 2019 [4]
What he's doing with these comments is gauging public response. It is pure malice.
— Ekim Ollassav🌞 (@thelookout71) May 9, 2019 [5]
Don’t think he won’t try it. Think Putin, Erdogan, Xi Jinping and others. This is a person who wants to get rid of our Constitution because he doesn’t think it should apply to him. #VoteHimOut [6]
— Paul Barkley (@pdbarkley) May 9, 2019 [7]
Such "joking" by Trump is alarming. He is testing the waters, trying to get a reaction. https://t.co/qOCVJxiOAZ [8]
— Myra (@Bestsurvivor) May 9, 2019 [9]
This is not a joke, and probably one of the most compelling reasons to begin impeachment proceedings now and not later. https://t.co/UCkpHMwAYz [10]
— Ethan Grey (@_EthanGrey) May 9, 2019 [11]