US. President Donald Trump has said lots and lots of controversial things since he started running for office almost three years ago. But, something he said over the weekend at a party fundraiser at his MaraLago resort has struck some as particularly tone‑deaf and dangerous.

Speaking about China's President Xi Jinping, who led the charge to repeal the country's term limits law last month, Trump said he is now president for life.

CCN reports that it is not totally clear whether Trump was half‑joking or not. Trump's speech was behind closed doors.

CNN obtained a recording of his remarks, and in the news story on the speech, CNN reported that the speech was upbeat, lengthy, and peppered with jokes and laughter.

But, it is not obvious at least to some that Trump was joking about his power grab.