Trump Claims He Never Called for Clinton's Imprisonment Despite Multiple Incidents
Former US President Donald Trump, currently awaiting sentencing after being convicted on 34 counts related to hush money allegations, finds himself in the middle of another controversy. Trump recently claimed in a Fox News interview that he never called for the imprisonment of his 2016 election rival, Hillary Clinton, despite numerous public remarks to the contrary.
The Republican presidential candidate, set to be sentenced on July 11, could face up to four years in prison if convicted. Trump's assertions came during an interview aired on 'Fox & Friends Weekend,' where he was questioned about the infamous 'Lock her up' chant from his 2016 campaign rallies. Trump stated, 'I didn't say 'lock her up,' but people said lock her up, lock her up.' He further added that although he could have acted on the chants, he felt it would have been a terrible thing to do.
Historical Context of 'Lock Her Up'
However, media outlets like The Washington Post and CNN have pointed out several instances where Trump did, in fact, encourage the imprisonment of Clinton. During a Colorado rally in July 2016, as the crowd chanted 'Lock her up,' Trump remarked, 'You know what, I'm starting to agree with you.' Additionally, in the lead-up to the 2016 election, Trump repeatedly promised to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Clinton for using a private email server during her tenure as Secretary of State.
These repeated calls for Clinton's imprisonment persisted even after Trump's election. At a post-election rally when the crowd chanted, 'Lock her up,' Trump refrained from attacking Clinton and instead attempted to promote national unity, stating, 'Hillary has worked very long and very hard over a long period of time, and we owe her a great debt of gratitude for her service to our country. Now is the time for America to bind up the wounds of division.'
Despite these remarks, the chants for Clinton's imprisonment did not cease. During the 2020 presidential campaign, Trump faced similar demands from his supporters to imprison the Biden family and Clinton.
- Trump's legal team has vowed to appeal his recent conviction. New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan, who presided over Trump's trial, will also oversee his sentencing on July 11. The potential penalties for Trump's conviction include up to four years in prison, house arrest, probation, or a fine.
- The conflicting statements from Trump about Clinton's imprisonment highlight the complexities and contradictions often present in political rhetoric. It also underscores the sustained popularity of the 'Lock her up' slogan among Trump's base, which has continued to resonate with his supporters even years after the 2016 election.
