By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Trump’s comment about Turkish President Erdoğan highlights his tendency to align with authoritarian leaders. Erdoğan, in power since 2003, has a history of suppressing dissent, jailing critics, and controlling information, including blocking access to various online platforms. The recent arrest of opposition leader Ekrem Imamoglu on questionable charges further underscores Erdoğan’s willingness to use any means necessary to maintain power. This situation reflects a pattern of Trump’s support for leaders with questionable human rights records.
Read the original article here
Trump “Jokes” About Rigging Elections With Turkish President
The whole idea of Trump “joking” about rigging elections, especially with the Turkish President, just feels off, doesn’t it? The consensus seems to be that there’s nothing humorous about it. He isn’t known for his wit, and the situations he’s talking about are incredibly serious. When you’re talking about undermining the very foundation of a democracy, it’s hard to see it as a lighthearted jest. Many people believe it’s a blatant admission of something he’s already done, and perhaps a signal of what he plans to do in the future.
This goes further than simply saying it wasn’t a joke; it’s a deeply troubling suggestion of collusion. The fact that the Turkish President, who is no stranger to accusations of election manipulation, seems uncomfortable in the situation speaks volumes. It is not even so much that he is actually joking, but more so what he is conveying. Trump, in his own words, has openly talked about rigging the last election, third terms, and suspending elections, among others. The gravity of this is compounded by the fact that there seems to be a lack of action to call out these statements for what they are: admissions of intent to commit acts that undermine democracy.
It is as if he is testing the waters, gauging the reaction to these ideas. He has no interest in being funny; he’s more interested in pushing boundaries and seeing how far he can go. This is a familiar pattern. The “joke” is just the tip of the iceberg, and what lies beneath is a dangerous disregard for democratic processes. It’s not just the election rigging, it’s the normalization of such talk. No other president has said such things.
The media has gotten too comfortable with this behavior, and many people believe it’s time to stop treating this kind of talk as trivial. There is a sense that Trump is being given a pass, treated with kid gloves. It is as if he is untouchable, and that the more he says and does, the less accountability there is. This goes further than not finding it to be funny; this is the problem. If the media starts normalizing that the leader of a free world can casually discuss rigging elections, then the media has some issues.
Some people feel that Trump is essentially admitting what he did in the past election, and is now teasing about what he could do in the future. The conversation surrounding the relationship is particularly worrying because the Turkish President is notorious for his own alleged election-rigging practices, so there is no moral high ground in this situation. It’s like they’re exchanging notes on how to undermine democracy.
One viewpoint is that this is just an open acknowledgment of the past, and a roadmap for the future. It’s a direct violation of the constitution. Yet, the response is muted. What should be considered scandalous and cause for a president to be in severe trouble is often shrugged off as typical. The fact that it’s happening at all is a severe problem.
It’s also about how these things get framed. The use of the word “joke” is just used to dismiss and turn a blind eye. It seems to be a way to avoid taking his words seriously. Every other president wouldn’t joke about such things, yet this is normal for Trump. The “jokes” are not jokes. It’s like watching a toddler carry themselves, and from what they say you can tell they are going to do something they know they shouldn’t. But no one is punished.
Ultimately, the core issue is the potential erosion of faith in democratic processes and the rule of law. The implications are severe. It’s not just about what he says; it’s about the precedent it sets and the message it sends to the world. Trump doesn’t understand humor, and is more like an Avatar movie than a joke.
The overall sentiment is that the media and the public need to take his words seriously, to hold him accountable for his statements, and to recognize that there’s nothing funny about undermining democracy. And, as the last line of the article implies, to hope he does not take any more notes on how to dismantle a democracy.