CNN has released an audio file claiming that Donald Trump referenced Xi Jinping's lifetime presidency in a private meeting, sarcastically suggesting, "Maybe we should try this method in America one day." The audio is said to be from a fundraising event held privately in Florida on March 3. The White House and other news sources have not commented on the authenticity of the file. According to the audio, Trump praised Xi Jinping, the President of China, and noted the recent action by the Communist Party to abolish the two-term limit for the presidency, stating, "He is now the lifetime president. Lifetime president. He is a great personality." The U.S. President added, "And look! He succeeded in doing this. I think it's a great thing. Maybe we will try this one day." Following these remarks, laughter and applause from attendees can be heard. It is unclear whether these comments were made in jest. Several American media outlets have reported that the White House has yet to respond to their requests for comments on the audio file. The two-term limit for the presidency in the U.S. has been a tradition since George Washington, with Franklin Roosevelt's four terms during World War II being the only exception. An amendment added to the U.S. Constitution in 1951 limited the presidency to a maximum of two full terms. About a week ago, the Chinese parliament voted to abolish the two-term limit for the presidency, which must be approved by the annual congress set to take place today (Sunday). Throughout his thirteen months as President, Trump has consistently attacked mainstream media, labeling several outlets, including CNN, as purveyors of "fake news." About a month ago, he asked a CNN reporter to leave a press conference. On Saturday, he referred to mainstream American media as "a laughingstock around the world" in his latest tweet. Approximately four months ago, he called CNN a "major source of fake news outside of America" and criticized the network for portraying the American people as "very weak" to the world. In response to Trump's tweet, CNN stated that introducing America to the world is "the President's duty" and added, "Our duty is to report the news."
CNN: Trump Praises Lifetime Presidency in China
Donald Trump has been recorded praising Xi Jinping's lifetime presidency and jokingly suggesting that the U.S. might try a similar approach. This remark was made during a private fundraising event in Florida. The implications of such comments raise concerns about the future of democratic norms in the U.S.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Donald Trump was recorded praising Xi Jinping's lifetime presidency and jokingly suggested that the U.S. might adopt a similar system. This remark was made during a private fundraising event in Florida.
- Trump's comments were made in a private setting and have not been officially confirmed by the White House.
- The Chinese parliament recently voted to abolish the two-term limit for the presidency.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The U.S. has a long-standing tradition of limiting presidential terms to ensure democratic governance, while China has recently moved towards consolidating power under Xi Jinping.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%