March 17, 2024
Former United States president Donald Trump warned the nation of a "bloodbath" if he doesn't win the upcoming presidential elections in November, Politico reported.
During a rally in Dayton, Ohio, Trump, 77, said: "Now, if I don’t get elected, it’s gonna be a bloodbath. That’s going to be the least of it. It’s going to be a bloodbath for the country."
Trump’s bizarre comment during the rally was unclear but it came as he complained about the automobile industry. He then threatened China to ban imports of vehicles into the US if he is re-elected as president.
According to Politico, Trump continues to portray the country in a dark light as he presents his case against President Joe Biden, and uses heightened rhetoric to address felony charges he faces in his attempt to overturn the 2020 election results before the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
The 2024 Republican presidential candidate’s campaign events often feature January 6 events, as he decries the election he lost four years ago.
He opened Saturday's rally with a recording of January 6 prisoners singing the national anthem and vowed to issue pardons for Trump-supporting "hostages" on his first day of presidency.
"You see the spirit from the hostages. And that’s what they are — hostages," Trump said in the opening words of his rally.
The Biden-Trump rematch is expected to be a contentious affair, with both candidates focusing on the Capitol attack.
Biden has emphasised the importance of the November election for democracy and the potential political threat to both Republicans and Trump’s campaign.
The Biden campaign seized on Trump’s Saturday remarks.
"This is who Donald Trump is: a loser who gets beat by over 7 million votes and then instead of appealing to a wider mainstream audience doubles down on his threats of political violence," Biden campaign spokesperson James Singer said in a statement.