'Cheat like hell': Trump asks supporters to commit voter fraud
What's the story
President Donald Trump has asked his supporters to "cheat like hell, like they do" during the upcoming midterm elections. The controversial statement was made during a speech at the Republican National Committee midterm convention in Dallas. Trump asked his supporters to recite a pledge that essentially encouraged voter fraud. "I don't care if I'm registered or not, I'm going to try and cheat like hell," he said, urging them to vote with family and friends on November 3 or before.
Pledge backlash
Trump's pledge draws criticism
Trump's pledge has drawn widespread criticism online, with some detractors questioning his health and calling for the 25th Amendment to be invoked.
Critics also slammed Trump for asking voters to treat the midterms as a referendum on his presidency, as he repeatedly instructed them to "pretend that I'm on the ballot."
He even offered a $5,000 check to every US adult if Republicans won both chambers of Congress, an idea critics have called a bribe.
Convention controversy
Backlash from Republican Party
Trump's remarks have also drawn criticism from within the Republican Party. Some lawmakers have boycotted the convention, believing it would be better to distance themselves from a president with low approval ratings.
Despite the backlash, some supporters defended Trump on social media, calling him "Funniest President of all time."
However, some Americans are worried about his recent declaration given his history of alleging election fraud in 2020.
Strategy scrutiny
Concerns over Trump's health
Trump's midterm strategy has been widely criticized, with detractors calling his supporters a "cult."
Some critics have expressed concern over Trump's health for office.
Despite the backlash, some MAGA accounts defended Trump on social media even as he faced flak over the oath administered during the RNC convention.
The president's controversial remarks have left some Americans worried, with one user saying that it "should have everyone paying very close attention to the f***ery they're planning for November."