The morning after the 2016 election, Donald Trump was declared winner of the presidential election. Soon after, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton spoke with Trump to concede and honor the voice of the American people. Forty-eight hours later, Barack Obama would acknowledge his successor in an effort to provide a smooth transition of power.
Unlike this election, in 2016 Trump was offered a fast passage into the oval office. Four years later and as sitting president, Trump has ended a long-standing tradition by refusing to a formal concession speech.
“He only won the election in the eyes of the FAKE NEWS MEDIA,” Trump said on Twitter. “I concede NOTHING! We have a long way to go. This was a RIGGED ELECTION!”
It appears the president of the United States has little confidence in the integrity of our voting system, as he began to rally his lawyers to court just days after Joe Biden was announced the projected winner. Lawsuits were filed in several states where the president came short, continuing the pipe dream that he can sway the results in his favor.
According to a survey conducted by Politico, 46 percent of registered voters say President Trump should concede “right away.” Just 32 percent say he should only concede if he is “unable to back up his claims of widespread fraud.”
An historic first statewide audit took place in Georgia confirming the original election results projecting Joe Biden as the winner. The Peach State, along with Arizona and Pennsylvania, rejected the election related lawsuits on the baseless claims of voter fraud. As the American people know, President Trump won’t go down without a fight.
The president has his eyes set on two major Democratic counties in Wisconsin for another attempt to prolong his concession. Without a formal transition of power from the commander-in-chief, America could become more divided than ever as right-wing conservatives undermine democracy.
“I am confident he knows he hasn’t won and he’s not going to be able to win, and we’re going to be sworn in on Jan. 20,” Biden said in a Washington Post story.
The 2020 election has been a long, drawn out process with a sitting president who can’t handle a loss. If it’s not for his routinized golfing trips, Trump has remained bunkered in the White House canceling public appearances as he knows his time has come to an end. He previously claimed “great” confidence in the American democracy. He should give the people what they want: a concession speech.