What did Trump say could happen in the United States if he doesn’t win the election on November 5?

Hyperbole and exaggeration are the modus operandi of former President Donald Trump. It is an effective sales tool, and for most of his life, that is exactly what Trump has been. A salesman.

But where salesmen usually paint a picture far more rosy than it could possibly be, we have entered a phase of post-postmodernism (or are we beyond that already?) where the picture painted as a sales pitch is one of bleak destruction.

Incredibly, it works better than ever.

On Saturday, March 16, Trump spoke to supporters in Ohio, saying painting images of woe and anguish to one of the most impoverished parts of the country. The rust belt has seen more than their fair share of decay and they are ripe for these sort of fire and brimstone sermons. Trump upped the ante by promising that if he didn’t win the election in November, it would be the end of democracy in America.

In a speech about China, Trump promised “100% tarrifs on everything crossing the border,” a moment that drew a cheer from the crowd. “Now if I don’t get elected, it’s going to be a bloodbath for the whole… that’s gonna be the least of it,” said Trump. “It’s going to be a bloodbath for the country. That will be the least of it.”

Was he employing hyperbole and metaphor? Sure. Was it an insane thing for any politician to say? Absolutely. But then, Trump has always courted insanity.

Doubling down, Trump added, “If this election isn’t won, I’m not sure that you’ll ever have another election in this country.” In this case, I am not certain that you could even find the metaphor if you tried.

This is not the first time that former President Trump has issued predictions in the starkest of terms. Just a few weeks ago, he made similar threats in South Carolina, saying, “These are the stakes of this election. Our country is being destroyed. And the only thing standing between you and its obliteration is me. It’s true.”

Asked about the convicted serving jail sentences for their actions on Capitol Hill in January 2021, Trump said, “They’ve been treated terribly and very unfairly and you know that and everybody knows that. And we’re going to be working on that as soon as the first day we get into office, we’re going to save our country, and we’re going to work with the people to treat those unbelievable patriots.”

Over 890 people were charged with crimes ranging from misdemeanor offenses such as disorderly conduct and trespass all the way up to sedition and weapons offenses. Trump himself was indicted for his own actions where he was seen to incite the events. The Supreme Court is scheduled to begin hearing arguments on April 25 of this year.

Saying that undocumented immigrants were “not people,” Trump also lashed out at Catholics who would vote for Joe Biden, saying that they too were under attack. “Any Catholic that votes for this numbskull is crazy, because you are being persecuted,” said Trump.

President Biden is the second Catholic to ever be elected president.