O/T:- Covid Trump

[Mapperleypie]

Can anyone with some understanding of American politics explain to me what is the objective in claiming false votes or victory before the counts are in?

Is Trump merely doing a face-saving exercise in the event he loses? Does he want a civil war and he's rallying his troops? I don't get it. Once the votes are counted then whatever rhetoric is going on now is meaningless. Same as us arguing whether we're going to win at Aldershot or not - we may have different opinions but there's no point on going to court at 4.20 if we are 3-1 down.

See you in court at 4.20. It's fraud!

[Evesham Pie]

I think Trump is trying to cling on because of all the law suits that are probably awaiting him when he leaves office.

And possibly some criminal. He must be worried about what happens next when he can't manipulate the legal machine to make problems go away.

[upthemaggies]

And possibly some criminal. He must be worried about what happens next when he can't manipulate the legal machine to make problems go away.

Well, if he does concede defeat, which I think he will, he's still in office until January, which is worrying.

As for oldpie's football comparison, a perceived unjust incident in a football match is a huge deal if you lose by one goal, you don't wait until the end of the match to protest it if you think it's going to affect the outcome. If you end up losing 4-1, most people will accept it and move on.

[BigFatPie]

Can anyone with some understanding of American politics explain to me what is the objective in claiming false votes or victory before the counts are in?

Is Trump merely doing a face-saving exercise in the event he loses? Does he want a civil war and he's rallying his troops? I don't get it. Once the votes are counted then whatever rhetoric is going on now is meaningless. Same as us arguing whether we're going to win at Aldershot or not - we may have different opinions but there's no point on going to court at 4.20 if we are 3-1 down.

I wouldn’t like to get in his mind,,but from what I’ve read he genuinely thinks he’s been cheated. He can’t understand why he took large leads in some states only for Biden to overtake him when the mail ballots have been counted. He seems to have forgotten that he specifically told his supporters not to mail in their vote, and to vote in person.

He’s lived the life of a spoiled child, there’s no reason to think he’s going to change in his mid 70s.

[drillerpie]

Can anyone with some understanding of American politics explain to me what is the objective in claiming false votes or victory before the counts are in?

Is Trump merely doing a face-saving exercise in the event he loses? Does he want a civil war and he's rallying his troops? I don't get it. Once the votes are counted then whatever rhetoric is going on now is meaningless. Same as us arguing whether we're going to win at Aldershot or not - we may have different opinions but there's no point on going to court at 4.20 if we are 3-1 down.

I don't think you need to understand American politics, you just need to understand Donald Trump.

Everything is a zero sum game that he has to win, with no concern for ethical issues. This is the guy who as a billionaire rips off small contractors and when they sue him he counter sues them for more than they can afford to force them to give up - because he can.

[drillerpie]

I wouldn’t like to get in his mind,,but from what I’ve read he genuinely thinks he’s been cheated. He can’t understand why he took large leads in some states only for Biden to overtake him when the mail ballots have been counted. He seems to have forgotten that he specifically told his supporters not to mail in their vote, and to vote in person.

He’s lived the life of a spoiled child, there’s no reason to think he’s going to change in his mid 70s.

I don't think it's that. I think he knows he has lost but this is his only way of staying relevant and maintaining some leverage for the future.

[rorylee]

I think Trump is trying to cling on because of all the law suits that are probably awaiting him when he leaves office.

Exactly this IMO

With rumoured $300m debts, personally guaranteed by him to be paid back in the next 4 years to foreign banks and investors also. It's fairly easy to keep those away when you can dictate trade and tariffs with the very country those banks are from. Likewise, when you can use the US Justice Department as your personal toy to bat away potential indictments from the Manhattan DA and New York attorney general it's easy to see why he'd want to cling onto power. Likewise running to the Supreme Court when things don't go his way is another tactic. This has never been about what he can do for his country and all about what his country can do for him.

[Elite_Pie]

I think Trump would back down in those circumstances.

I don't. Even if Biden wins all the remaining states I can't see Trump ever conceding defeat, his massive ego just won't allow him to do it.

However overwhelming the numbers are he will still insist he was the rightful winner until his dying day.

[i961pie]

I don't. Even if Biden wins all the remaining states I can't see Trump ever conceding defeat, his massive ego just won't allow him to do it.

However overwhelming the numbers are he will still insist he was the rightful winner until his dying day.

I must admit on the news tonight he looked a lost and broken figure who knew his fate.

[sidders]

Exactly this IMO

With rumoured $300m debts, personally guaranteed by him to be paid back in the next 4 years to foreign banks and investors also. It's fairly easy to keep those away when you can dictate trade and tariffs with the very country those banks are from. Likewise, when you can use the US Justice Department as your personal toy to bat away potential indictments from the Manhattan DA and New York attorney general it's easy to see why he'd want to cling onto power. Likewise running to the Supreme Court when things don't go his way is another tactic. This has never been about what he can do for his country and all about what his country can do for him.

Excellent post, Rory.