AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Republican Maine Gov. Paul LePage says he meant to use the word “authoritative” — not “authoritarian” — to describe GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump.
LePage on Wednesday clarified comments he made a day earlier on a radio show. He said Trump’s “powerful personality” and “authoritative persona” mean he wouldn’t have to “go behind closed doors with community activists to get things done and hurt American people.”
The governor blamed reporters for making too much of his slip of the tongue, telling them “I have no respect for you at all” and that they they’re out to “destroy people.”
LePage also called Democratic President Barack Obama a “dictator” for his use of executive orders.
LePage has opposed the Obama administration’s actions on overtime pay and which bathrooms transgender students can use.
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