Trump warns of a rigged election. The idea isn’t so unbelievable.
At rallies, interviews, and on Twitter, Trump and several others have asserted that voter fraud will push the election towards Hillary. Thus, creating an illegitimate Clinton presidency.
In a tweet, he said there is “large-scale voter fraud happening on and before election day.” He further tweeted,
“Of course there is large scale voter fraud happening on and before election day. Why do Republican leaders deny what is going on? So naive!”
In Pennsylvania, Trump told the people at his rally that he could only lose “if cheating goes on.” His VP Mike Pence added, “Voter fraud cannot be tolerated by anyone in this nation.”
A History of Accusations
Samuel J Tilden Source: Wikipedia
Trump is not the first to warn of voter fraud. In 2008, John McCain claimed that ACORN was “on the verge of perpetrating one of the greatest frauds in voter history in this country, maybe destroying the fabric of democracy.”
A historian from Oklahoma State University, Laura Belmonte, said, “I really can’t think of another precedent where this rhetoric has been used so vigorously prior to the election. So the calls for poll watchers and the not-so-veiled threatening discourse — I really don’t think have an analogue.” She says that many who have lost the presidency have made up by calling for the unification of the nation to maintain faith in the system. Even Democrat Samuel Tilden who continuously complained about being the rightful winner called for a unification.
Revolting if Trump Loses
Many believe in Trump’s claim though. In Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, Sheriff David Clarke called for “pitchforks and torches.” He tweeted, “It’s incredible that our institutions of gov, WH, Congress, DOJ, and big media are corrupt & all we do is b***h. Pitchforks and torches time.”
Many are worried about Crooked Hillary winning the election. Understandably so.
*Editor’s Note: Post edited for accuracy after publication.
