- " target="_blank"authoritarian leader"
Bernie Sanders says the 'simple truth' is Trump is an ‘authoritarian leader,’ and several experts tell INSIDER they largely agree
Sen. Bernie Sanders on Monday said the "simple truth" is that President Donald Trump is an "authoritarian leader" who does not care about democracy.
Sen. Bernie Sanders on Monday said the "simple truth" is that President Donald Trump is an " target="_blank"authoritarian leader" who does not care about democracy, and several experts on authoritarianism tell INSIDER they largely agree with his assessment.
The Vermont senator's comments come amid ongoing election drama in several states and the president's baseless claims of voter fraud. On Monday, Trump called for a recount in Florida to cease and for the Senate and gubernatorial elections to be called in favor of the Republican candidates.
In what was seemingly a response to Trump's remarks, Sanders tweeted, "Here is the simple truth. Donald Trump, like his friends in Russia, Saudi Arabia and North Korea, is an authoritarian leader who does not believe in democracy."
Sanders called for election officials in states where results are still being reviewed to "ignore the rantings of this president" and "COUNT EVERY VOTE."
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from INSIDER.
Trump has drawn global ire for his praise for autocrats, embrace of nationalism, and attacks on the press and electoral process
Beyond the backlash over Trump's recent attempts to discredit the electoral process in the US, he's also faced repeated criticism for his anti-media rhetoric and routine praise for autocratic rulers such as North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un, whom the president in September said he's " target="_blank"in love" with.
In August, experts at the UN warned his rhetoric against the press could increase violence against journalists. Correspondingly, some critics have blamed Trump for recent acts of violence or attempted acts of violence against media outlets.
The president's recent proud embrace of being labeled a "nationalist" has also stirred controversy, and led to a veiled rebuke from French President Emmanuel Macron as Trump visited France over the weekend.
In this context, some experts are applauding Sanders' characterization of Trump as an authoritarian.
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