Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, addressed Christians in West Palm Beach, Florida, stating that if they vote for him in the upcoming election, they won't need to vote again in four years.
Trump made this claim during an event organised by the conservative group Turning Point Action. He expressed his confidence in resolving the country's issues within his next term, suggesting that future elections wouldn't be necessary for his supporters.
He told Christians on Friday that if they vote for him this November, "in four years, you don't have to vote again. We'll have it fixed so good, you're not gonna have to vote."
Trump said: "Christians, get out and vote, just this time. "You won't have to do it anymore. Four more years, you know what, it will be fixed, it will be fine, you won't have to vote anymore, my beautiful Christians."
He added: "I love you Christians. I'm a Christian. I love you, get out, you gotta get out and vote. In four years, you don't have to vote again, we'll have it fixed so good you're not going to have to vote," Trump said.
His remarks come amid accusations from Democrats that he poses a threat to democracy, especially after his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results led to the January 6th Capitol insurrection.
When asked to clarify, Trump's campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, stated that Trump was referring to uniting the country, deflecting from the divisive political climate and a recent assassination attempt on Trump.
Investigators have yet to give a motive for why the 20-year-old gunman opened fire on Trump.
In previous statements, Trump has joked about serving beyond the two-term limit set by the US Constitution, comparing himself to Franklin D. Roosevelt. The upcoming election sees a shift in dynamics with Kamala Harris becoming the presumptive Democratic nominee after President Biden decided not to seek reelection. Polls indicate a tightening race between Trump and Harris.
In an interview with Fox News in December, Trump said that if he won the November 5 election he would be dictator, but only on "day one", to close the southern border with Mexico and expand oil drilling.
Democrats have seized on that comment. Trump has since said the remarks were a joke.
Trump's remarks on Friday pointed to the need for both parties to energise their base voters ahead of what will likely be a closely fought election. Trump has enjoyed loyal support from evangelicals in the past two elections.
The race has abruptly tightened after the decision by Biden to end his reelection bid and with his vice president, Kamala Harris, becoming the presumptive Democratic nominee.
Recent opinion polls show Trump's significant lead over Biden has been largely erased since the torch was passed to Harris.
Jason Singer, a Harris campaign spokesperson, in a statement did not directly address Trump's remarks about Christians not having to vote again.
Singer described Trump's overall speech as "bizarre" and "backward looking".
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