It's no secret that people have been throwing around that eight-letter D-word to describe Donald Trump for quite some time now.
From announcing he'd be reviewing Smithsonian exhibitions so they align with his interpretation of history, to deploying the National Guard across US cities, firing or attempting to fire officials who oppose him, and even raising the idea of an unconstitutional third term, many have argued he has pushed the limits of presidential power. And on Monday, Trump officially acknowledged the comparison at the Oval Office.
After criticizing the reaction to his ongoing threats to deploy troops in US cities, he told reporters in a now-viral clip, "They say, 'We don't need him! Freedom, freedom! He's a dictator! He's a dictator!'" Then, he suggested, "A lot of people are saying maybe we'd like a dictator." As for himself, he clarified, "I don't like a dictator. I'm not a dictator. I'm a man with great common sense, and I'm a smart person."...Despite his denials, many remain skeptical, arguing that this is his way of normalizing the idea, particularly after repeating it two days in a row...
"Trump just said the quiet part out loud: he wants to be a dictator. America needs to wake up," wrote California Rep. Jimmy Gomez.
