WASHINGTON — President Trump spoke in approving terms of his Chinese counterpart’s consolidation of power Saturday, telling campaign donors in Florida that maybe the United…
WASHINGTON — President Trump spoke in approving terms of his Chinese counterpart’s consolidation of power Saturday, telling campaign donors in Florida that maybe the United States should follow suit.
Calling Chinese President Xi Jinping “a great gentleman” and “the most powerful president in 100 years,” Trump suggested that he’d like to follow Xi’s example and abolish term limits.
“He’s now president for life. President for life. No, he’s great,” Trump said. “And look, he was able to do that. I think it’s great. Maybe we’ll have to give that a shot some day.”
It was not clear whether the comment was made in jest.
The remarks came in a closed-door luncheon fundraiser at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla. Saturday. CNN obtained a recording of Trump’s speech.
Last month, the 64-year-old Xi proposed that China abolish term limits for president, reversing a precedent established after the death of Chairman Mao Zedong in 1976. The ruling National People’s Congress could ratify that change as early as this week.
The 22nd amendment to the U. S. Constitution, pushed by a Republican Congress in response to President Franklin Roosevelt’s unprecedented election to four terms, was ratified by the states in 1951. It holds presidents to two full terms in office.
More: Why China’s president may never have to retire — and what that means
