Donald Trump Signals Intent to Interfere Again in the 2024 Election
With a stunning admission, Trump justifies past interference and hints at repeating his actions.
By Bess Levin
September 3, 2024
When special counsel Jack Smith reindicted Donald Trump last month for alleged interference in the 2020 election, he might have expected a defiant reaction from the former president. What he likely did not anticipate was Trump effectively admitting to the interference and defending it as entirely within his rights. Yet, this is precisely what Trump did in his recent interview with Fox News.
During an appearance on Sunday night with host Mark Levin, Trump declared, “It’s so crazy that my poll numbers go up. Who ever heard you get indicted for interfering with a presidential election, where you have every right to do it — you get indicted and your poll numbers go up?” His statement was a stark reminder that Trump feels justified in his actions during the 2020 election — and appears ready to employ similar tactics again.
It is important to clarify: Trump does not have “every right” to interfere in a presidential election. Representative Ted Lieu quickly responded on social media, writing: “Dear @realDonaldTrump: Are you seriously this stupid? You think President [Joe] Biden has the right to interfere in the upcoming election? Do you want VP [Kamala] Harris to do what you tried to get former VP Mike Pence to do? Are you really this dumb? Also, interfering in elections is illegal.” On CNN, legal expert George Conway called Trump’s remarks “an admission that he tried to interfere with the election and that he wasn’t trying to enforce federal law,” further stating, “And that’s a crime.”
For anyone paying attention over the past few years, Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election outcome were evident — from repeated false claims of a “stolen” election to a violent insurrection attempt. However, the real concern now is his unapologetic stance as the 2024 election approaches, suggesting he is prepared to disrupt the democratic process once more if the results are not in his favor.
Preparing for a Repeat: Trump’s Strategy for 2024
Trump’s recent comments are part of a broader pattern signaling that he may not accept the results of the 2024 election if he loses. Over the last year, Trump has taken deliberate steps to undermine confidence in the electoral process and lay the groundwork for contesting the outcome:
Choosing a Running Mate Who Echoes Falsehoods: Trump selected a running mate who continues to promote the unfounded claim that the 2020 election was “stolen” and refuses to commit to accepting the results of the 2024 election.
Positioning Family Members Strategically: Trump has strategically placed his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, in a significant role at the Republican National Committee (RNC). Lara Trump has already begun casting doubt on the integrity of the upcoming election and speaking openly about prosecuting supposed “cheat[ers].”
Refusing to Acknowledge a Fair Process: Trump himself has repeatedly declined to commit to accepting the election results, setting a precedent for rejecting any unfavorable outcome.
Cultivating a Loyal Base that Rejects Opposing Realities: By convincing his supporters that he alone determines what is true or false, Trump is laying the foundation to delegitimize any result he does not favor.
What Does This Mean for the 2024 Election?
As the countdown to the 2024 election continues, Trump’s recent remarks suggest that he sees no problem with repeating the same tactics he used in 2020. With less than 70 days until voters head to the polls, Trump appears more than willing to challenge the integrity of the election process if the outcome doesn’t suit him.
So, with time ticking down, it is crucial for Americans to prepare for the potential of another post-election crisis. Trump has made it clear: he’s ready to dispute the results again if things don’t go his way. This leaves the nation facing a stark question — will history repeat itself, or can democratic principles hold firm in the face of unprecedented challenges?