Trump Is Back To Falsely Claiming The Election Was Stolen From Him
Topline
Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday repeated his false claim that he won the 2020 election, the first time he has made such a claim since conceding the election to President Joe Biden in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 04: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks on election night in the East Room … [+]
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Key Facts
Trump called into Fox News on Wednesday to eulogize conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, who died from lung cancer at age 70 on Wednesday – marking Trump’s first television interview since Jan. 6 and his first non-written public statement since leaving office.
During the interview, Trump lauded Limbaugh for his loyalty and amicable coverage of the Trump administration, and his belief that Trump could win the presidency when he was still considered a longshot.
But Trump also praised Limbaugh for espousing his false claim the 2020 election was stolen through widespread voter fraud, stating “Rush thought we won” and “Rush felt we won and he was quite angry about it.”
“And so do I, by the way,” Trump added to little pushback from Fox hosts Harris Faulkner and Bill Hemmer – the latter widely seen as one of Fox’s “straight news” personalities – adding, “I think we won substantially.”
Fox News, like all other major news outlets – including pro-Trump network Newsmax – has called the election for Biden, who won 306 electoral votes to Trump’s 232.
Key Background
Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives last month in part for spreading false claims of election fraud that eventually led his supporters to try to stop lawmakers from certifying Biden’s victory. He was acquitted by the Senate, but even some GOP senators who voted to acquit him still slammed his election fraud claims as dangerous.
Crucial Quote
“A new administration will be inaugurated on January 20,” Trump said in a Jan. 7 video widely labeled a concession, vowing to focus on “ensuring a smooth, orderly and seamless transition of power.” However, he left wiggle room for continued false claims of election fraud and said he “strongly believes we must continue to reform our election laws to verify the identity and eligibility of all voters.”
Tangent
Trump has put out only a handful of public statements through his “45 Office” since leaving the White House, most recently slamming Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell as an “unsmiling political hack” and promising to back right-wing primary challengers to Senate Republicans seen as insufficiently loyal.
What To Watch For
Trump’s Fox News interview is the latest indication he is emboldened by his acquittal by the Senate in an impeachment trial on Saturday and plans to return to many of his old habits as he makes a loud return to politics.
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