Accustomed to outrageous outings, Donald Trump provoked a new controversy on Saturday during a meeting in Ohio, promising a “bloodbath” in the event of Joe Biden's re-election.
If his Democratic opponents immediately made the link with the assault on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, believing that the Republican candidate was launching a barely veiled call for violence.
But his comments were clearly taken out of context since the former president was speaking about the economic situation in the country, and more particularly about the American automobile industry which he considers to be targeted by unfair competition from Chinese brands producing cars in Mexico for sell them in the United States.
In his speech, he says he wants to
“impose a 100% customs duty on every vehicle that leaves the factory”
and promises that these cars will be
“unsaleable”
if he is elected.
Then, after applause and the approval of his audience, Donald Trump asserts that if he is not elected,
“it will be a bloodbath”
and that in this case, the threats to the automobile industry will be
“the least of worries
.
“The mainstream media lies
,” Elon Musk said on X, who made a series of tweets to explain that Donald Trump's remarks had been misinterpreted.
In this same meeting, Donald Trump also once again described
those convicted in the attack on the Capitol as
“hostages” and suggested that American democracy could die if he was not re-elected.
“I don't think there will be another election, or at least no meaningful election
,” he said.
Trump defends himself
Faced with his ambiguous remarks widely commented on social networks, President Biden's campaign team reacted in a press release, calling Donald Trump a
"loser"
of the 2020 presidential election, who
"redoubles his threats of political violence"
.
Also read: Viktor Orban is banking on Donald Trump to find a place in the sun
“He wants another January 6
,” said Joe Biden’s team, referring to the attack on the Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump in 2021,
“but the Americans are going to inflict another electoral defeat on him in November because they continue to reject his extremism, his taste for violence, and his thirst for revenge
.
Joe Biden then spoke directly during a dinner in Washington, during which he also warned of
“an unprecedented moment in history”
.
“The fake media and their Democratic partners in the destruction of our nation pretended to be shocked by my use of the word BLOODBATH
,” Donald Trump reacted, saying that he was
“simply referring to imports authorized by the crooked Joe Biden, who are killing the auto industry
.