Donald Trump was continuing his four-state trip out west Thursday evening with a rally in Colorado Springs, Colo., shortly after signaling he might pardon his former advisor Roger Stone and openly celebrating Democrats’ intra-party squabbling at the Las Vegas primary presidential primary debate.
Trump’s rally has been the normal lineup, slamming Democrats, “Mini” Mike Bloomberg, and calling the media in attendance the “fake news.”
Trump then made the “joke” that he would remain in office for another 26 years, which means he would be about 100 years old when he left office.
And this is by far the first time he’s made this same “joke”.
Fresh from being acquitted of all impeachment charges in the Senate in early February, Trump tweeted a victory video. The video hints at his presidency running to 2048 and ‘4EVA’.
pic.twitter.com/JDS4zUXXJG [1]
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 5, 2020 [2]
Trump’s most obvious comment came at a private gala at Mar-a-lago. Speaking of Chinese president Xi Jinping’s limitless terms [3], he said:
“He’s now president for life. President for life. No, he’s great. And look, he was able to do that. I think it’s great. Maybe we’ll have to give that a shot someday.”
At a Republican rally, he asked the crowd if America should extend the two-term limit [4].
“Should we go back to 16 years? Should we do that? Congressman, can we do that?”
In other statements, he’s hinted at serving “maybe 10 or maybe 14 years [5].” In a more serious tone, he said he should “be given his stolen time back” for the distracting Comey investigation, retweeting a demand for a two-year extension.
As with many things, Trump jokes about these radical policy ideas. But there’s a serious undertone. He plants the seed of possibility and puts it on the agenda. It widens the “Overton window,” making extreme policies like this a reality.
Look at how he responded to news reports about extending his term.
“No, I’m not looking to do it. Unless you want to do it, that’s OK.”
He plants the seed that it could happen if there was public support. He did the same thing in a tweet last year.
Do you think the people would demand that I stay longer? KEEP AMERICA GREAT.
…..news is that at the end of 6 years, after America has been made GREAT again and I leave the beautiful White House (do you think the people would demand that I stay longer? KEEP AMERICA GREAT), both of these horrible papers will quickly go out of business & be forever gone!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 16, 2019 [6]
He’s quietly encouraging his base to support longer terms.
Anyway, this is sick. And remember, it’s not a “joke.”
"When we leave office in 26 years or so, they're going to miss us" — Trump jokes about shredding the Constitution and serving more than 2 terms pic.twitter.com/APckvRSXBz [7]
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 21, 2020 [8]