Trump slammed for latest ‘frightening’ press conference:
‘The most sickening briefing we ever have witnessed’
September 23, 2020 By Matthew Chapman
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump gave a new press conference, during which he refused to commit to a peaceful post-election transition of power and ducked out early as he was questioned about the Breonna Taylor grand jury decision.
The president’s performance drew outrage on social media — particularly his refusal to promise he would peacefully honor the upcoming election.
This is the most frightening answer I have ever received to any question I have ever asked. I’ve interviewed convicted killers with more empathy. @realDonaldTrump is advocating Civil War. https://t.co/8eMY9Csuhp
— Brian J. Karem (@BrianKarem) September 23, 2020
Trump just threatened to throw out ballots and prevent a peaceful transfer of power but the press corps is asking Trump about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle?
— Tommy Vietor (@TVietor08) September 23, 2020
I have to go, my home planet needs me. pic.twitter.com/9inDlPBC4Q
— Adam A. Donaldson (@adamadonaldson) September 23, 2020
Although Trump told us he was ending his remarks at the press briefing because "I have to leave for an emergency phone call," he doesn't have an emergency, I'm told. He's got politicking to do. He's speaking on two tele-events tonight.
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) September 23, 2020
I want to see Trump dragged out of the White House ‘Colonel Jessup-style’ while the press records everything https://t.co/TxDWtT88bu
— Andrea Kuszewski
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September 23, 2020 By Matthew Chapman
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump gave a new press conference, during which he refused to commit to a peaceful post-election transition of power and ducked out early as he was questioned about the Breonna Taylor grand jury decision.
The president’s performance drew outrage on social media — particularly his refusal to promise he would peacefully honor the upcoming election.
This is the most frightening answer I have ever received to any question I have ever asked. I’ve interviewed convicted killers with more empathy. @realDonaldTrump is advocating Civil War. https://t.co/8eMY9Csuhp
— Brian J. Karem (@BrianKarem) September 23, 2020
Trump just threatened to throw out ballots and prevent a peaceful transfer of power but the press corps is asking Trump about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle?
— Tommy Vietor (@TVietor08) September 23, 2020
I have to go, my home planet needs me. pic.twitter.com/9inDlPBC4Q
— Adam A. Donaldson (@adamadonaldson) September 23, 2020
Although Trump told us he was ending his remarks at the press briefing because "I have to leave for an emergency phone call," he doesn't have an emergency, I'm told. He's got politicking to do. He's speaking on two tele-events tonight.
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) September 23, 2020
I want to see Trump dragged out of the White House ‘Colonel Jessup-style’ while the press records everything https://t.co/TxDWtT88bu
— Andrea Kuszewski
\(@AndreaKuszewski) September 23, 2020
This piece of shit despot continues to lay out and prepare for his election day chaos and stealing of the election. Its truly outrageous that this thug was allowed to get this far. We need to win in a landslide because Trump and Barr are preparing everything
— Olga Lautman (@OlgaNYC1211) September 23, 2020
He (and the GOP) have been encouraging every possible type of election fraud and interference for months now.
This is it. This is that one moment in history. We are either going to pull through this or lose our country to fascism. This may be the last election we have.
— Felix Sturgeon (@FelixSturgeon) September 23, 2020
Trump is crazy
When Trump knows he is lying, the "you know it, everybody knows it" is one of his go to moves
Today he said mail in ballots are a disaster "you know it"
Have you ever thought of saying? "No, I don't know it, bc it isn't true, sir. What you are saying isn't true"
— Greg Wilson (@joke2power) September 23, 2020
Absolutely chilling. (And thank you for not removing your mask). I was amazed he called on you and must put it down to poor eyesight. Perhaps the most sickening briefing we have witnessed: the misogyny, medical disinformation and casual dismissal of norms.
— Carol-Anne Lennie (@carolannelennie) September 23, 2020
He needs to be impeached again, he needs to be removed because he is pretty much telling us all everyday now that he will not go. His camp is now looking into messing with the electoral college vote on top of it all. He will leave, trust us all, he won't have a choice.
— Dawn Forbrick
This piece of shit despot continues to lay out and prepare for his election day chaos and stealing of the election. Its truly outrageous that this thug was allowed to get this far. We need to win in a landslide because Trump and Barr are preparing everything
— Olga Lautman (@OlgaNYC1211) September 23, 2020
He (and the GOP) have been encouraging every possible type of election fraud and interference for months now.
This is it. This is that one moment in history. We are either going to pull through this or lose our country to fascism. This may be the last election we have.
— Felix Sturgeon (@FelixSturgeon) September 23, 2020
Trump is crazy
When Trump knows he is lying, the "you know it, everybody knows it" is one of his go to moves
Today he said mail in ballots are a disaster "you know it"
Have you ever thought of saying? "No, I don't know it, bc it isn't true, sir. What you are saying isn't true"
— Greg Wilson (@joke2power) September 23, 2020
Absolutely chilling. (And thank you for not removing your mask). I was amazed he called on you and must put it down to poor eyesight. Perhaps the most sickening briefing we have witnessed: the misogyny, medical disinformation and casual dismissal of norms.
— Carol-Anne Lennie (@carolannelennie) September 23, 2020
He needs to be impeached again, he needs to be removed because he is pretty much telling us all everyday now that he will not go. His camp is now looking into messing with the electoral college vote on top of it all. He will leave, trust us all, he won't have a choice.
— Dawn Forbrick
(@DForbrick) September 23, 2020
What will it take for Democrats, the press, etc, to call this what it is? If Trump said, "Look, I am making up this thing about faulty ballots so that I can steal this election and guarantee my continued tenure in power. I have no interest in democracy" would anyone even sit up
— Brian Merchant (@bcmerchant) September 23, 2020
What will it take for Democrats, the press, etc, to call this what it is? If Trump said, "Look, I am making up this thing about faulty ballots so that I can steal this election and guarantee my continued tenure in power. I have no interest in democracy" would anyone even sit up
— Brian Merchant (@bcmerchant) September 23, 2020
HE ANNOUNCED HIS PLANNED COUP ELECTION DAY 2016
AND AGAIN AFTER HIS INAGURATION 2017
HE HAS CALLED FOR HIS MAGA FOLLOWERS TO
PROTECT HIM IN OFFICE NOT UNLIKE MUSSOLINI'S
FASCISTI MARCH ON ROME
When asked, President Trump refuses to commit to a peaceful transfer of power after the election
US President Donald Trump has refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he loses November's election.
"Well, we'll have to see what happens," the president told a news conference at the White House. "You know that."
Mr Trump also said he believed the election result could end up in the US Supreme Court, as he again cast doubt on postal voting.
More states are encouraging mail-in voting, citing the need to keep Americans safe from coronavirus.
Every losing presidential candidate in modern times has conceded.
If Mr Trump were to refuse to accept the result of the election, it would take the US into unchartered territory and it is not clear how it would play out.
However President Trump's opponent, Democrat Joe Biden, has previously said that in this scenario he believes the military would be deployed to remove Mr Trump from the White House.
US President Donald Trump has refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he loses November's election.
"Well, we'll have to see what happens," the president told a news conference at the White House. "You know that."
Mr Trump also said he believed the election result could end up in the US Supreme Court, as he again cast doubt on postal voting.
More states are encouraging mail-in voting, citing the need to keep Americans safe from coronavirus.
Every losing presidential candidate in modern times has conceded.
If Mr Trump were to refuse to accept the result of the election, it would take the US into unchartered territory and it is not clear how it would play out.
However President Trump's opponent, Democrat Joe Biden, has previously said that in this scenario he believes the military would be deployed to remove Mr Trump from the White House.
What did Trump say?
Mr Trump was asked by a reporter on Wednesday evening if he would commit to a peaceful transfer of power "win, lose or draw" to Mr Biden. The president currently trails his challenger in national opinion polls with 41 days to go until the election.
"I've been complaining very strongly about the ballots," Mr Trump, a Republican, said. "And the ballots are a disaster."
When the journalist countered that "people are rioting", Mr Trump interjected: "Get rid of the ballots, and you'll have a very - you'll have a very peaceful - there won't be a transfer, frankly, there'll be a continuation."
Back in 2016, Mr Trump also refused to commit to accepting the election results in his contest against the Democratic candidate, Hillary Clinton, which she characterised as an attack on democracy.
He was eventually declared the winner, although he lost the popular vote by three million, an outcome he still questioned.
Mitt Romney, a Republican senator who is a rarity in his party because he occasionally criticises the president, tweeted on Wednesday: "Fundamental to democracy is the peaceful transition of power; without that, there is Belarus.
"Any suggestion that a president might not respect this Constitutional guarantee is both unthinkable and unacceptable."
Mr Trump was asked by a reporter on Wednesday evening if he would commit to a peaceful transfer of power "win, lose or draw" to Mr Biden. The president currently trails his challenger in national opinion polls with 41 days to go until the election.
"I've been complaining very strongly about the ballots," Mr Trump, a Republican, said. "And the ballots are a disaster."
When the journalist countered that "people are rioting", Mr Trump interjected: "Get rid of the ballots, and you'll have a very - you'll have a very peaceful - there won't be a transfer, frankly, there'll be a continuation."
Back in 2016, Mr Trump also refused to commit to accepting the election results in his contest against the Democratic candidate, Hillary Clinton, which she characterised as an attack on democracy.
He was eventually declared the winner, although he lost the popular vote by three million, an outcome he still questioned.
Mitt Romney, a Republican senator who is a rarity in his party because he occasionally criticises the president, tweeted on Wednesday: "Fundamental to democracy is the peaceful transition of power; without that, there is Belarus.
"Any suggestion that a president might not respect this Constitutional guarantee is both unthinkable and unacceptable."
What have Democrats said?
Speaking to reporters in Delaware, Mr Biden said Mr Trump's comments on the transition of power were "irrational".
His campaign said it was prepared for any "shenanigans" from the president.
The Democrat's team also said "the United States government is perfectly capable of escorting trespassers out of the White House".
Mr Biden has himself been accused by conservatives of stoking unrest over the election by saying in August: "Does anyone believe there will be less violence in America if Donald Trump is re-elected?"
Last month, Mrs Clinton urged Mr Biden this time not to concede defeat "under any circumstances" in a close race on election night.
She raised the scenario that Republicans would try "messing up absentee balloting" and mobilise an army of lawyers to contest the result.
Doubts about the fairness of November's vote come as another high-stakes political battle is fought - on whether or not to appoint a new Supreme Court justice before the election.
What did Trump say about the Supreme Court?
Earlier on Wednesday, the US president defended his decision to seek the appointment of a new Supreme Court justice before the presidential election, saying he expects the vote results to end up before the court.
"I think this [the election] will end up in the Supreme Court, and I think it's very important that we have nine justices," the president said.
"I think it's better if you go before the election, because I think this scam that the Democrats are pulling, it's a scam, the scam will be before the United States Supreme Court."
Mr Trump was apparently referring to his much-disputed claims that mail-in ballots are vulnerable to fraud.
The president has said he will name a female nominee for the court this Saturday. She would replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died last Friday.
Mr Trump's supporters hope his nominee, if confirmed by the US Senate, will cement a 6-3 conservative ascendancy on the nation's highest court for the foreseeable future.
In previous elections, losing presidential candidates have conceded even when the electoral results were very tight.
These include 1960 when John F Kennedy narrowly beat Richard Nixon and in 2000 when George W Bush beat Al Gore in Florida.
Is postal voting vulnerable to fraud?
The number of postal votes is expected to rise significantly this time round due to public health concerns over coronavirus.
But Ellen Weintraub, commissioner of the Federal Election Commission, has said: "There's simply no basis for the conspiracy theory that voting by mail causes fraud."
There have been isolated cases of postal ballot fraud, such as in the 2018 North Carolina primary, which was re-run after a consultant for the Republican candidate tampered with voting papers.
There was also a case this year in New Jersey which saw two Democratic councillors charged with alleged fraud in relation to postal voting, after hundreds of ballots were found stuffed in a post box.
But the rate of voting fraud overall in the US is between 0.00004% and 0.0009%, according to a 2017 study by the Brennan Center for Justice.
Postal ballots are more likely to go missing, however, according to research by Charles Stewart, a political scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
He calculated that the number of votes lost through the vote-by-mail system in the 2008 election may have been as many as 7.6 million, or one in five individuals who attempted to post their ballots
The number of postal votes is expected to rise significantly this time round due to public health concerns over coronavirus.
But Ellen Weintraub, commissioner of the Federal Election Commission, has said: "There's simply no basis for the conspiracy theory that voting by mail causes fraud."
There have been isolated cases of postal ballot fraud, such as in the 2018 North Carolina primary, which was re-run after a consultant for the Republican candidate tampered with voting papers.
There was also a case this year in New Jersey which saw two Democratic councillors charged with alleged fraud in relation to postal voting, after hundreds of ballots were found stuffed in a post box.
But the rate of voting fraud overall in the US is between 0.00004% and 0.0009%, according to a 2017 study by the Brennan Center for Justice.
Postal ballots are more likely to go missing, however, according to research by Charles Stewart, a political scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
He calculated that the number of votes lost through the vote-by-mail system in the 2008 election may have been as many as 7.6 million, or one in five individuals who attempted to post their ballots
.
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