Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
The White House says, it was a “joke” from the POTUS.
The U.S. president, Donald Trump, has again drawn attention to the November midterm elections, this time with remarks that prompted swift clarification from the White House.
His words, delivered in a wide-ranging interview with Reuters, landed as Democrats appear well positioned to make gains later this year.
Donald Trump during the interview, which was published Thursday, that the United States “shouldn’t even have” midterm elections in November.
He tied the comment to what he described as the achievements of his second term, telling Reuters, “When you think of it, we shouldn’t even have an election [in November].”
White House: It was a joke
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later sought to downplay the comments, saying Trump was “simply joking” and “speaking facetiously,” The Times reported.
Forbes cites Leavitt for telling reporters that the president meant, “We’re doing such a great job … maybe we should just keep rolling.”
Democratic concerns linger
Democrats have voiced alarm that Trump could seek to interfere in elections during his second term, pointing to his unsuccessful effort to overturn the 2020 result.
Trump has floated ideas about staying in office beyond a second term, though he acknowledged in October that he is “not allowed to run” again.
He has continued to promote unfounded claims of voter fraud. In January, Trump urged Republicans to pass the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote, despite evidence cited by critics that noncitizen voting is exceedingly rare.
Midterm pressure builds
Trump has repeatedly warned Republicans that losing Congress could have consequences for his presidency.
Earlier this month, he told GOP lawmakers that Democrats would “find a reason to impeach me” if they regained control, according to Reuters.
In that same speech, Trump said Republicans had “got to win the midterms,” while adding he would not say, “cancel the election, because the fake news will say, ‘He wants the elections canceled. He’s a dictator.’”
Republicans have also pursued structural strategies to blunt Democratic gains, including redistricting efforts aimed at creating more Republican-leaning House seats.
Sources: Reuters, Forbes, The Times
