Politics
Trump spills beans: ‘Was my decision’ to try to overturn 2020 vote
By Jake Beardslee · September 18, 2023
In brief…
- Former President Trump openly admitted to being the driving force behind efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, ignoring advisors who urged him to accept his loss.
- Trump appeared unconcerned about the legal battles he faces, insisting he does not think about the prospect of going to prison.
- Legal experts believe Trump's admissions create more controversy and could come back to haunt him in court.
In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump claimed responsibility for the decision to try to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. This admission could have significant implications for the multiple lawsuits he faces regarding efforts to challenge President Joe Biden’s victory two and a half years ago.
Trump recalled in detail the events that transpired on and after January 6, 2021, in an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” asserting he was the driving force behind the efforts to reverse his reelection loss.
“We have many people, and it’s my choice,” Trump said. “It was my decision. But I listened to some people.”
Trump said several administration officials and campaign lawyers advised him to accept his loss, but he disregarded their counsel, claiming he “didn’t respect them.” When confronted by host Kristen Welker about why he hired these individuals in the first place, Trump said he was unaware they were “Republicans in Name Only” (RINOs), and referred to them as turncoats.
Trump appeared undeterred by his many ongoing legal battles, which have resulted in four indictments this year. When questioned about the prospect of serving jail time, he confidently asserted the issue does not cross his mind. He maintained his belief that he will emerge victorious from his legal challenges, saying, “I truly feel that, in the end, we’re going to win.”
The revelations made by Trump not only shed light on his role in attempting to overturn the 2020 election, but also raise questions about the impact this could have on the difficult legal cases he will face in the coming year. As he continues to mount a national campaign for the 2024 presidential race, it remains to be seen how these admissions will shape his political trajectory, and whether they will come back to haunt him in court.