The Conversation (0)
Joshua Zitser
Sep 24, 2020
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Donald Trump has refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he loses the election in November.
Responding to a reporter at a news conference, he said: "Well, we'll have to see what happens."
Q: Will you commit to a peaceful transfer of power after the election? TRUMP: "We're gonna have to see what happen… https://t.co/5AgCiRUxcW— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1600900029
Trump is currently polling behind Joe Biden in national opinion polls.
But if the president were to lose the election, he could be the first presidential candidate in modern history not to concede.
People online were astonished and appalled.
Some called it impeachable.
Trump should be impeached right now. No hearings necessary. Just play the video clip: Doesn't agree to peaceful… https://t.co/McLpw7soG9— Michelangelo Signorile (@Michelangelo Signorile) 1600906865
Not agreeing to a peaceful transfer of power is about as unconstitutional as you can get. Impeach the MF! Again. And again.— Brian O'Sullivan (@Brian O'Sullivan) 1600914638
Trump has just been asked, as no president has ever had to be asked in the modern era, whether he will commit to a… https://t.co/p46oiDj3fc— Tom Nichols (@Tom Nichols) 1600899962
Others expressed their concern about the effect on American democracy.
The president refuses to commit to a peaceful transfer of power. Next week, Republicans will praise Donald Trump's… https://t.co/zcp1fiVMyh— Bill Kristol (@Bill Kristol) 1600901858
Peaceful transfer of power is a hallmark of our democracy. This thinly veiled threat from the sitting President sh… https://t.co/dFWrV2tPeu— Tammy Duckworth (@Tammy Duckworth) 1600914686
The peaceful transfer of power is essential to a functioning democracy. This statement from the president of the U… https://t.co/bB99JtqqSM— ACLU (@ACLU) 1600907852
Many people urged newspapers and broadcasters to lead with it in their coverage.
Literally every front page tomorrow and every newscast tonight should lead with “PRESIDENT REFUSES PEACEFUL TRANSFER OF POWER”— David Weiner (@David Weiner) 1600900874
"Trump Won't Commit to Peaceful Transfer of Power" should be on the front page of every newspaper in America. how… https://t.co/VFktkRedog— Eric Boehlert (@Eric Boehlert) 1600912881
Some people even read it as a threat of civil war.
What President of the United States has EVER refused to say there will be a peaceful transfer of power if he loses… https://t.co/XHHXaSLQLf— Jen Wood - est optimum simpliciter (@Jen Wood - est optimum simpliciter) 1600945726
We need an overwhelming blue wave this November. Trump has just indicated he will not commit to a peaceful transfer… https://t.co/fCCgJmWg7D— Fiona Whelan Prine (@Fiona Whelan Prine) 1600900691
Lots of people think reporters should bring it up every time they question a Republican lawmaker.
Every single GOP Senator and Representative should be pushed by reporters to answer: Do you believe in and are you… https://t.co/j3uFNSDgr5— Steven Beschloss (@Steven Beschloss) 1600928568
Not a day should go by that the discussion in the public square, in the media, and among ourselves, isn't about the… https://t.co/dYX8gAgf02— Tom Nichols (@Tom Nichols) 1600903718
When pressed on his answer, Trump said:
Get rid of the ballots, we'll have a very peaceful transfer.
There won't be a transfer, frankly, we'll have a continuation.
People were equally horrified by this.
Rather than commit to a peaceful transfer of power, the president just said that if you get rid of the ballots, he… https://t.co/bFgkIaU1nW— Chris Hayes (@Chris Hayes) 1600901104
People who are very chill about the President not committing to the peaceful transfer of power unless they “get rid… https://t.co/Ds5Oo2ITMu— Brian Schatz (@Brian Schatz) 1600904500
President just refused to commit to a peaceful of power. "There will not be a transfer of power. The ballots are ou… https://t.co/GY7ClrpT61— (((Howard Forman))) (@(((Howard Forman)))) 1600899976
Rhetoric such as this even prompted some to compare Trump to a dictator.
Donald J. Trump: “Get rid of the ballots and you’ll have a very — we’ll have a very peaceful — there won’t be a tra… https://t.co/JcQdgEI02D— Laurence Tribe (@Laurence Tribe) 1600945161
Trump isn’t even pretending to be President. He has completed his shift to dictator. Many Americans don’t understan… https://t.co/zjhggWn9t6— Bryce Tache (@Bryce Tache) 1600946074
Dear America: it’s crystal clear that #Trump wants to be a dictator. The question is, do you want a dictator? It’s… https://t.co/8VOsX8CSvO— Andy Ostroy (@Andy Ostroy) 1600945495
Authoritarian sounds harmless. Let's call Trump what he is...a fascist dictator trying to overthrow our democracy.… https://t.co/XLJFIhZ4SA— Doug Christi (@Doug Christi) 1600920168
There were those who wanted you to be sure that this wasn't a joke by Trump.
While others urged voters to call their representatives.
WE are in a democratic emergency- the peaceful transfer of power is the bedrock of democracy. Trump cannot destroy… https://t.co/4P83JbobbL— Rachel Bitecofer 📈🔭🍌 (@Rachel Bitecofer 📈🔭🍌) 1600943357
I wanted to encourage all of you to CALL YOUR SENATORS AND HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES and request that they do everythin… https://t.co/oRt79prGvA— BERTA (@BERTA) 1600913804
The idea of a landslide for Biden to ensure a peaceful transfer of power was suggested.
Anyone who still supports Trump after this statement where he doesn’t guarantee the peaceful transfer of power shou… https://t.co/7Z9H5F5hl3— Andrew C Laufer, Esq (@Andrew C Laufer, Esq) 1600901082
The president* suggested we “get rid of the ballots and have a continuation of power”... rather than answer a quest… https://t.co/F9hU9sWOaR— Mo Reilley (@Mo Reilley) 1600914042
A landslide for either candidate would make a peaceful transfer of power more likely – but we'll have to wait and see what November brings.
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