Trump tells supporters to’cheat like hell’ in unprecedented election pledge
September 12, 2026 1:06 pm
United States President, Donald Trump. Photo: AFP
US President Donald Trump has urged his supporters to vote in the November 3 election, telling them he did not care whether they were registered to vote and encouraging them to “cheat like hell.”
Trump made the remarks while leading supporters in a mock pledge at a Republican gathering in Dallas, Texas, according to a Reuters report on Friday.
During the pledge, Trump asked attendees to raise their right hands and repeat after him.
He told the crowd to pledge to support “the greatest president in the history of the United States,” before urging them to get their families and friends to vote.
“I don’t care if I’m registered or not. I’m going to try and cheat like hell like they do. They’ve never—there’s never been bigger cheaters. I don’t care,” Trump said.
“I am going to go out, and I’m going to get my friends, my family, and we are going to vote on November 3rd, or we are going to vote before that. So help me God,” he added.
The crowd repeated the final phrase of the pledge before Trump joked about the consequences of failing to vote.
“Now I know. Now, I’d say just about everybody who…you know what happens if you don’t vote? You go to hell, you know that. Okay?” he said.
The remarks came as Trump sought to rally Republican supporters ahead of the November election, with control of Congress at stake.
Fawzi is a journalist and subeditor covering a wide range of beats including politics, metro, and international news, among others. He also optimises stories for digital audiences.
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