Instead of denying unequivocally that he would abuse power if reelected president, Donald Trump pivoted and brought up a popular talking point about what he feels is his own personal persecution by the Biden government in the form of multiple criminal indictments. Hannity came back to the question later in the town hall, prompting Trump again, "You are promising America tonight, you would never abuse power as retribution against anybody," to which Trump said, "except for day one. [...] We're closing the border and we're drilling, drilling, drilling. After that, I'm not a dictator." He repeated the claim about being a day-one dictator in regard to the border and drilling in his keynote speech at the New York Young Republican Club's 111th Annual Gala.
As for why the question of Trump acting like a dictator as president would come up at all, it comes down to statements he's made during his campaign. At CPAC in March 2023, he said ( via CSPAN), "In 2016, I declared I am your voice. Today, I add I am your warrior, I am your justice. And for those who have been wronged and betrayed, I am your retribution." He repeated the retribution statement at a rally in Waco, Texas later that month.
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