“There are many people who will say, oh, the president was just joking…But there are statements in the past that Donald Trump has made where he has praised Xi for consolidating power” host Joe Scarborough said. “China has become more and more autocratic over the past six months to a year. He’s made conscious moves to become more and more autocratic.”

“When Republicans ignore the fact that this man is talking about being president for life, if they think that Donald Trump is joking, then they’re fools,” Scarborough added. “And I don’t think they’re fools. I think they know exactly what he’s saying.”