WASHINGTON (US) – As on Saturday Democrat Joe Biden was projected to be the President, Republican President Donald Trump and his allies made it clear that it does not plan to concede anytime soon.
Trump said in a statement released by his campaign around midday, “The simple fact is this election is far from over. Joe Biden has not been certified as the winner of any states, let alone any of the highly contested states headed for mandatory recounts, or states where our campaign has valid and legitimate legal challenges that could determine the ultimate victor.”
One Trump advisor said, “He should allow the recounts to go forward, file whatever claims there are, and then if nothing changes he should concede,” said.”
The Trump campaign and Republicans have brought numerous lawsuits with regard to alleged election irregularities. Judges tossed cases in Georgia, Michigan and Nevada.
Meanwhile, Republicans are trying to raise at least $60 million to fund legal challenges, sources told.
Another former White House official said, “He should make sure every vote is counted and demand transparency. That puts him on solid rhetorical grounds.”
Trump re-entered the White House wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat, even as Biden supporters gathered and celebrated loudly near the White House.
Fox News host Laura Ingraham, a staunch Trump defender, on Friday urged the president to accept an unfavorable outcome with “grace and composure,” and the Wall Street Journal’s conservative editorial board wrote that Trump “needs evidence to prove voter fraud.”
It said, “If Mr. Biden has 270 Electoral College votes at the end of the counting and litigation, President Trump will have a decision to make. We hope in that event he would concede gracefully.”
One Trump adviser said White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows is likely to be the aide who would talk it out with Trump the idea of conceding.
Ari Fleischer, who was a White House press secretary in the George W Bush administration, “President Trump is entitled to take the time he wants to absorb this. It was close and it’s not productive to demand an immediate concession.”
“The best thing to keep this country together is to give the president a reasonable period of time to accept the results.”
