Donald Trump, the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination, told his supporters on Saturday to "go into" Philadelphia and two other Democratic-run cities to "guard the vote" in 2024, repeating his unfounded claims of widespread election fraud in 2020 as justification for the call to action.

Speaking at a campaign event in Iowa, Trump said it was important to scrutinize the vote in the battleground states likely to determine the general election. He singled out the biggest cities in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Georgia.

“So the most important part of what’s coming up is to guard the vote. And you should go into Detroit and you should go into Philadelphia and you should go into some of these places, Atlanta,” Trump said in Ankeny, a suburb of Des Moines.

Trump’s comments foreshadow what is likely to be a contentious election in November 2024. Despite the failure of dozens of lawsuits filed by Trump and his allies challenging the outcome in 2020, Trump continues to claim, without evidence, that he lost to U.S. President Joe Biden due to fraud.

  • Clbull@lemmy.world
    1091·
    9 months ago

    To everyone who called Trump a Nazi seven years ago, I owe you all an apology for dismissing your concerns as hyperbole, because I legitimately thought this guy was saying outrageous shit just to rile up the Republican crowd and clinch the Republican nomination against all odds.

    After what happened with Jan 6th, it seems Donald is hell-bent on usurping democracy and bringing about the Fourth Reich, and now I’m seriously worried that America is going to sleepwalk straight into Fascism.

    2021 should have been a wake-up call.

    • SasquatchBanana@lemmy.world
      133·
      9 months ago

      And with all you said, and the evidence we have of Trump being a fascist, people will still not vote Biden as a “symbolic act”. We may have a hellish few years coming ahead of us.

      • MrBusiness@lemmy.zipEnglish
        2·
        9 months ago

        A good chunk of the accounts I see posting those comments are probably bots judging by their post histories. You’d either have to be in favor of a fascist dictatorship or willfully ignorant at this point not to vote for Biden. I don’t like Biden or most of the Democrats, but Republicans have done little to nothing for Americans that are not rich. At least with Democrats there’s a sliver of a chance with future generations that we’ll get more than a shitty two party system, with Republicans now there won’t be anything but regression and fear mongering.

        • SasquatchBanana@lemmy.world
          11·
          9 months ago

          I have talked to too many people on here, reddit, and in person to know there is a significant amount of people thinking and advocating for this. It is going to be 2016 Hilary again.

        • JonEFive@midwest.social
          71·
          9 months ago

          He’s still got my “not-Trump” vote. I don’t particularly like him or how well he has performed, but considering the alternative? It’s no contest for me.

        • Patches@sh.itjust.works
          41·
          9 months ago

          If you think that whole ‘Israel thing’ is going to get better with a literal facist in charge - you’re a moron.

        • SasquatchBanana@lemmy.world
          2·
          9 months ago

          I am referring to all the individuals who are saying they won’t vote for Biden in the next election as a protest vote. People would can or have voted for him in past, or in an election. I am not talking about disenfranchised individuals but people privileged enough to throw their vote, and countery, away.

          I am making the argument America will be much worst if Republicans take helm. The chances of not being able to vote again is way too high. If people really care about Palestinian people and not virtue signaling, then they will agree that Trump or any Republican would make it worse.

          • voidMainVoid@lemmy.world
            1·
            9 months ago

            I am referring to all the individuals who are saying they won’t vote for Biden in the next election as a protest vote.

            I have never, ever heard anyone say this, though. Who is saying this?

    • Echo Dot@feddit.uk
      107·
      9 months ago

      Fascism and dictatorships are not good for business. International trading partners won’t want anything to do with businesses located in the United States if this happens. A democracy provides a trustable and reassuring legal framework to ensure stability of contracts. International complaints are not going to be upheld under a Trump government.

      This is why everyone knows you don’t do business with China.

      Although if you have to have a dictator I suppose Donald Trump is probably the best dictator since he and his staff are regularly outwit by squirrels and things found growing under stones.

      • orrk@lemmy.world
        84·
        9 months ago

        damn Poe’s law, I can’t tell if your serious and stupid or just making a joke.

        as I’m sitting here, with my phone made in Chinese sweatshops

        • archonet@lemy.lol
          1013·
          9 months ago

          *you’re

          when calling other people stupid, it is best to know basic grammar. Just a tip!

          • Mossheart@lemmy.ca
            11·
            9 months ago

            Like capitalization of ‘When’? :D

            Aside from that, fully support your point.

          • orrk@lemmy.world
            22·
            9 months ago

            so, I am going to conclude that you think echo dot’s take is a real argument and even support said stance.

            so why, if you look at reality, are authoritarian shitholes always the darlings of corporations.

            • archonet@lemy.lol
              44·
              9 months ago

              oh I don’t care about that, I just thought you looked like you needed the help

      • voidMainVoid@lemmy.world
        2·
        9 months ago

        This is why everyone knows you don’t do business with China.

        Really? That must be news to the thousands of US companies who do business with China all the time.

      • DogMuffins@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
        2·
        9 months ago

        Fascism and dictatorships are not good for business.

        I don’t think that this is really true at all.

        It may pose additional risks for small businesses but that’s not so for multinationals. looking to exploit populations, resources, or markets.

    • Riccosuave@lemmy.world
      787·
      9 months ago

      One can only hope…

      Edit: I feel compelled to make it clear that I don’t want anyone to die due to political violence. However, if someone has to die I would prefer it be those who seem hell-bent on undermining the democratic process.

      • CleoTheWizard@lemmy.world
        31·
        9 months ago

        It’s sad that I knew what you meant before reading your edit. Like we all know that this next election will result in violence. We can all only hope that it’s against the right people…

    • Neato@kbin.social
      432·
      9 months ago

      Probably. But for every Trump fascist getting arrested or making a video “patrolling” a ballot box drop-off, for every fascist getting killed, those are huge news stories that will make voters reconsider if it’s even safe to vote. It’ll have a massive chilling effect on voters who aren’t obvious Trump supporters. Which is the point: fear.

      • Neato@kbin.social
        191·
        9 months ago

        Yes, they should be. But it depends on the state. That’s specifically for mail-in ballots.

        In California, it’s an issue of fairness to count ballots cast by people who then die before election day, Secretary of State Alex Padilla said. He said it’s just as conceivable that someone who votes early in person also dies before election day, and there is no way to identify and reject that ballot.

      • CileTheSane@lemmy.ca
        11·
        9 months ago

        What a funny thing to do right after a judge announces he does NOT have immunity.

        Actions speak louder than words. I’ll believe it when he actually has to face consequences.

  • ikidd@lemmy.worldEnglish
    30·
    9 months ago

    Perhaps these people should wear some similiar clothes so we know they’re there to “guard the vote”. May I suggest some brown shirts?

  • ExfilBravo@lemmy.world
    291·
    9 months ago

    the 3 people that didn’t die from COVID or go to jail for Jan. 6 related crimes will definitely do that Donny lol.

    • bmsok@lemmy.world
      381·
      9 months ago

      It’s funny to say that and you, of course, deserve credit.

      But this is too serious to ignore. The idea of him getting a second term will be the beginning of something truly awful.

      Everyone, please vote. The two party system sucks but it’s where we’re at right now. The US swinging wide right to embrace a grifter can NOT be the answer.

        • PoliticalAgitator@lemm.ee
          98·
          9 months ago

          You going to shoot the ballots too? All those guns and the best you can offer is pagentry.

          You haven’t stopped a fascist running. You haven’t stopped the gerrymandering. You haven’t stopped corporate lobbying. You haven’t stopped far-right mass shootings.

          But apparently we’re supposed to line up to suck your dick because you’re going to puff out your chest and also fail to prevent voter intimidation?

          You’re the same problem in a blue shirt.

        • doctorcrimson@lemmy.today
          57·
          9 months ago

          If Republicans successfully cause voter intimidation in a Democratic stronghold then those individuals are charged with a federal crime and the election continues regardless of their stupidity. If Democrats enter armed conflict with those Republicans, people fucking die for no good reason.

          • CileTheSane@lemmy.ca
            41·
            9 months ago

            If Republicans successfully cause voter intimidation in a Democratic stronghold then those individuals are charged with a federal crime

            Oh good, I’m sure the Republicans wouldn’t do something illegal like try to alter the outcome of an election!

            and the election continues regardless

            So if Republican civilians successfully cause voter intimidation, those civilians go to jail. Meanwhile the election continues regardless, and those intimidated voters would still help Republican politicians win their seats. And you say that like that’s okay.

            • doctorcrimson@lemmy.today
              11·
              9 months ago

              I’m not sure if there has ever been a case in the last several decades where a voter intimidation attempt altered an election outcome, it’s kind of difficult to search for. Probably because all such attempts are inevitably ineffective under a system of laws.

              Please correct me if I’m wrong. Plenty of people convicted of the crime all the time, but almost no information on what happens afterwards if the impact were significant: would it go into special election?

            • PoliticalAgitator@lemm.ee
              53·
              9 months ago

              How many have you killed so far then? Don’t be coy.

              Is the answer “zero” despite your “really good reason”?

                • PoliticalAgitator@lemm.ee
                  13·
                  9 months ago

                  “War is when overweight, middle aged men with no training, coordination or chain of command, parade around with small arms while the other side does a mass shooting”.

              • PoliticalAgitator@lemm.ee
                23·
                9 months ago

                I think the fantasy is probably “far-right extremist kills an expendable minority, granting me a free murder with my cool guns”.

                • KeriKitty (They(/It))@pawb.socialEnglish
                  1·
                  9 months ago

                  I think the fantasy is “I go to vote and some far-right extremist, intent on gunning me down for being trans, gets an argument against doing that promptly offered or constantly visible in opposition instead of simply killing me.” At the very least, people willing to put themselves “out there” as willing to fight/kill/die could then be the ones to do so rather than your method of just watching us die. “Expendable minority” you say, offering nothing for any of us.

                  Seriously, am I supposed to want you watching me get murdered saying “at least no centrists got hurt” over IHadTwoCows keeping me from getting murdered or, hell, shooting the person who did it? I really don’t understand how you think “instead of shooting people for doing murder or trying to stop them from it, just quietly let it happen” will help anyone. I wasn’t going to post, even, but this baffles the hell out of me especially since you’re suggesting that minorities dying is what you expect, difference being the reaction will be either “shoot the killer [before they make a mass shooting of it?]” or… what? Thoughts & prayers to the family of the deceased?

                  tl;dr: What are you gonna do for your “expendable minority” other than just watch them die? Seems like you’re the one happy to throw people’s lives away for nothing.

  • BeautifulMind ♾️@lemmy.worldEnglish
    231·
    9 months ago

    ‘Guard the vote’, here, seems pretty likely to mean go into liberal areas and do what it takes to prevent them from voting

  • Vant@lemm.ee
    22·
    9 months ago

    He’s basically asking for another Jan 6, but on a micro scale. Show up, disrupt the process, give them hell. If his dumbass followers take heed it won’t be pretty.

    What does “guarding the vote” even look like? Showing up with a gun and harassing minorities? If there is secret, insidious voter fraud occurring you’re not going to able to spot it by standing guard at the door (of course, there isn’t ). It would be happening behind the scenes. He is inciting political violence, just like he did in his speech before he set his mob loose on the capital.

  • Snapz@lemmy.world
    20·
    9 months ago

    4 years, no credible evidence (outside of the handful of republicans that were caught interfering with elections/ballot mail).

  • ArugulaZ@kbin.social
    224·
    9 months ago

    Any kill-billy who tries to intimidate me to vote for Trump will be RETURNED to Trump, horizontally.

    • shalafi@lemmy.worldEnglish
      246·
      9 months ago

      I’ll be at the polls, taking the day off. And I will be armed (concealed). And I will have questions for any men intimidating any sorts of voters.

      Some of us have truly been bullied. Not talking about getting called names on social media, or pushed around in school hallways. I’m talking ass beatings while teachers watched.

      Some of us fought back. And those that have? We know bullies cave like rotten tomatoes.

      Some of us have been educated in history. And we see where this is going.

      If I have to help a little old lady to cast a Trump vote? I will do so. But after 01/06, I will never take America’s democracy for granted again.

      And for anyone that thinks that’s “tough guy” talk? I’m old, with 2 small children and a fine new wife, but I will not allow them to grow in a facist hellscape. So yeah, it’s worth my life to end this shit.

  • jeffw@lemmy.worldM
    191·
    9 months ago

    I’ve been a poll watcher in PA a bunch of times. I welcome any Trumpies to join me. It’s really not that exciting lol

    • Neato@kbin.social
      261·
      9 months ago

      Depends on your state’s laws. But peaceful dudes in red caps are not what people are worried about. They are groups of aggressive people, potentially visibly armed, near to polling places or mail-in boxes that will scare voters away. If you have to walk past a line of lifted pick-up trucks, all with huge Trump flags in the backed, filled with angry redcaps with assault rifles, you might rethink voting. Which is the goal of the facists.

      • jeffw@lemmy.worldM
        91·
        9 months ago

        Sure, but I’m talking about the legal way we “guard the vote”. It’s incredibly effective and not super exciting.

      • kent_eh@lemmy.caEnglish
        1·
        9 months ago

        If you have to walk past a line of lifted pick-up trucks, all with huge Trump flags in the backed, filled with angry redcaps with assault rifles, you might rethink voting. Which is the goal of the facists.

        Or it might make me want to vote against their asshole lord and savior even more resolutely than I already do.

      • shalafi@lemmy.worldEnglish
        57·
        9 months ago

        I’ll be there. And I will be armed as well. If it’s a bloodbath that ends in my extinction? So be it. I will not stand for such a scenario as you describe.

        Struggling to live with myself after 01/06 as is. Give me a chance to fight back? I’m all in.

    • Uranium3006@kbin.social
      112·
      9 months ago

      You’re missing the point. Trump’s calling on th to show up with guns and intimate minority voters

    • FuglyDuck@lemmy.worldEnglish
      323·
      9 months ago

      look, I know, you find annoying them with pictures of fake grand kids amusing… but really… could you at least maybe make the stories more interesting, since, you know. it’s gonna be slow…

      asking for everyone else.

        • FuglyDuck@lemmy.worldEnglish
          51·
          9 months ago

          you ever get stuck sitting next to a very friendly old lady whose got about thirty pictures of her grand kids, and insists on telling you everything about what happened the day they were taken?

          I’m proposing torturing the trumpian poll watchers with such… as a for of entertainment, because poll watching is really boring. Like. watching paint dry boring.

        • theneverfox@pawb.socialEnglish
          2·
          9 months ago

          I missed it too, but I think I want to start showing people pics of my “grandkids”. Maybe get some hyper realistic ai pics and backstory…

          I just want to watch people get confused and try to do the math while also trying to figure out how old I am

  • girlfreddy@lemmy.caOP
    203·
    9 months ago

    Trump is setting the stage for Detroit, Philly and Atlanta to become round 2 of the Capitol riot.

    Jayzuz. :/

    • Mirshe@lemmy.world
      2·
      9 months ago

      Because he’s entirely assured that if the big cities hadn’t voted, he would’ve won literally every state. That’s been his assumption since he lost - that the “city liberals” are who was voting against him.

  • Queen HawlSera@lemm.eeEnglish
    17·
    9 months ago

    Well, we both know how this ends, with people with guns patrolling up and down polling places with firearms asking a whole bunch of questions, refusing to leave, and only being escorted out by police once the polls close.

    Why? Same reason why the police department is suspiciously empty during a klan meeting, the same reason why Bruce Wayne is never in his office during a Batman sighting.

  • LillyPip@lemmy.ca
    16·
    9 months ago

    People will be shot at polling places in 2024 because of this.

    The chatter in their group chats is already out of control. They want blood and they will have it.

    This isn’t just some dipshit spouting off without caring what his words mean. He sees the bloodthirsty calls for violence amongst his supporters, because it’s happening on his channels. This is an intentional, fascistic call for violence from a crowd he knows is willing and ready to do it. People really need to start believing him.

    I keep saying this, but if this was 1932 Germany and you knew what you know now, what would you do as a German citizen? That’s not hyperbole. Seriously, please think about it.

    • Queen HawlSera@lemm.eeEnglish
      6·
      9 months ago

      I guarantee this, what will happen is people with guns will show up at polling places, they will threaten staff, and they will not be able to get police to get them to leave until it’s time for the polls to close. Kind of like how the police just stood there and did nothing when people got into the capital on January 6th, just like how the military was never deployed. The people who are trying to steal power for themselves, are the people who already have power, they just want more

      • Cranakis @lemmy.one
        3·
        9 months ago

        In Atlanta? Detroit? Philly? No I don’t think so. Ppl with guns will show up and shit will go down. Hope those chucklefucks are ready.