In a statement that caused reactions, Mr Donald Trump in an interview with the American network Fox News. “If I am elected I will not be a dictator – Except for the first day” he said characteristically.

“Will you promise America tonight that (when elected) you will never abuse power in retaliation against anyone?” Sean Hannity asked him. “Except for the first day, except for the first day’ Trump replied, repeating the phrase.

Asked for clarification by the Fox News reporter, Trump said: “I want to close the border and I want to drill, drill, drill.”

Moments later, Trump returned to his controversial comments.

“I love this guy,” Trump said, referring to Hannity. “He says, ‘You’re not going to be a dictator, are you?’ I said, “No, no, no. Except for the first day.” We close the borders and drill, drill, drill. After that, I’m not a dictator.”

Trump’s comments came after he did not directly answer an earlier question from Hannity about whether he had plans to “abuse power, break the law, use government to go after people.”

“You mean the way they’re using it right now?” Trump replied, apparently referring to Democrats.

Biden’s “camp” quickly seized upon the former president’s remarks, publishing an excerpt of the controversial poem on X. Biden’s campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, blasted Trump in a statement.

“Donald Trump has told us exactly what he’s going to do if he’s re-elected and tonight he said he’s going to be a dictator on day one,” he said. “Americans must believe him.”