Fox News host Jesse Waters's attempt to put to rest the notion that Donald Trump might refuse to leave office should he be reelected was foiled Monday by an ominous choice of words.
Watters drew inspiration from the solar eclipse to rebut the concerns raised by people such as historian Michael Beschloss that the former president would not relinquish the White House should he regain it, video shows.
In Watters' segment, Beschloss is quoted as saying: "You hear Trump saying he's going to be a dictator for a day; which is not going to be a day if it happens....[it] could be for the rest of our lifetimes."
Watters replies: "Just like what happens after every eclipse —everybody knows Trump's going to leave office just like he did the last time."
This remark had the perhaps unintentional result of reminding viewers of the last time Trump left office, a day at the heart of special counsel Jack Smith's federal election interference case: Jan. 6, 2021.
Trump now stands accused of riling up a massive crowd assembled at the U.S. Capitol in a failed attempt to overthrow the peaceful transfer of power. He has pleaded not guilty to charges.
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Viewers took to social media Monday night to remind Watters of the events that spurred Beschloss' comment and share their concerns about the 2024 presidential election.
"That's what we're worried about," replied X user Machine Pun Kelly.
"He didn’t leave willingly," added Geoff Valent. "He just wasn’t successful with his coup. He won’t make that mistake next time."
"And in the words of Shakespeare," said Bruce Goldberg, "Aye...there's the rub."
"By spouting a big lie, attempting a coup, sending his followers after his vp, and stealing nat sec secrets?" asked @jgateskings. "That's not a plus."
