Recently, Donald Trump called the democratically elected president of Ukraine, Volodomyr Zelenskyy, a dictator. He has since backtracked on this, stating he "can't believe [he] said that"
Will he baselessly call another democratically elected leader of a country a dictator (or an unambiguous variation such as 'tyrant', 'autocrat', 'totalitarian', 'führer' or 'despot') before the end of his current term? A verified (reported on credible media), public recording must exist. Will not resolve YES on third-party testimony, rumors or hearsay.
For the purposes of this market, countries listed as 'authoritarian' in the most recent at the time Economist Democracy Index (notable 2024 mentions: Russia, Venezuela) will not count, even if they claim to have democratically elected their leader. Trump reinstating his sentiment towards Zelenskyy will not resolve the market YES, either. EDIT: Trump embracing such title himself, and/or calling himself a dictator also won't count.
Trump's current term ends when he steps down, dies, or on the 29th of January 2029, 12pm ET, whichever occurs first.
1,000People are also trading
@Marnix the topic and description are about him calling 'another' leader a dictator, which IMO rules him out. I also did not mean to include him, and I think a YES resolution for that would be against the spirit of the market as most bettors would have interpreted it.
I don't really see an argument for a YES resolution on that condition, can you steelman it for me?
@dgga I was under the impression that "another" here just meant "a democratically elected leader other than Zelensky," based on the fact that the description takes care to elaborate that Trump walking back his walk-back on Zelensky being a dictator isn't enough for a YES. Trump's a democratically elected head of state for a country that's not currently listed as authoritiarian by the economist. I feel like him embracing the term "dictator" (i.e. using it to describe himself, not just saying other people are calling him a dictator) could fit the spirit of the market (though I understand if you'd prefer to keep this market related to foreign affairs instead of letting domestic affairs drip in).
@Marnix I see your point. However, what I originally meant, how the Zelensky callout was widely interpreted, and how at least I see the spirit of the market as, calling a truly democratically appointed leader a dictator is a particularly offensive insult. If he were to embrace the title, there wouldn't be anything insulting there. It would hardly be possible for him to insult himself with that title while he is in power himself.
Anyways I do think you raise a good point and I will clarify the market description to omit him as per the spirit of the market. Enjoy your tip.