Donald Trump will "totally accept" the results of the presidential election — assuming he wins, that is.
To date, Trump has flatly refused to confirm he will concede the election if Hillary Clinton wins and has continued to stoke debunked concerns of widespread voter fraud. At the final presidential debate Wednesday, when asked point-blank if he would accept a peaceful transition of power, Trump said he'd keep Americans "in suspense, okay?" The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and many other major newspapers ran the quote as a banner headline, with The Associated Press declaring Trump is "threatening a fundamental pillar of American democracy."
Trump feigned Thursday morning as if he would clarify the whole scandal: "Ladies and gentlemen, I want to make a major announcement today," he began at a rally in Ohio. "I would like to promise and pledge to all my voters and supporters and to all of the people of the United States that I will totally accept the results of this great and historic presidential election ... if I win."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Trump is clearly pleased with his clever line — and maybe he'd have a right to be, if what he was saying wasn't so terrifying.
-
The IDF's manpower problemThe Explainer Israeli military's shortage of up to 12,000 troops results in call-up for tens of thousands of reservists
-
Quiz of The Week: 16 – 22 AugustQuiz Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
-
Can Soho House get its edge back?Talking Point The private members' club has lost its exclusive appeal – but a £2 billion buy-out could offer a fresh start
-
Third judge rejects DOJ's Epstein records requestSpeed Read Judge Richard Berman was the third and final federal judge to reject DOJ petitions to unseal Epstein-related grand jury material
-
Texas OKs gerrymander sought by TrumpSpeed Read The House approved a new congressional map aimed at flipping Democratic-held seats to Republican control
-
Israel starts Gaza assault, approves West Bank planSpeed Read Israel forces pushed into the outskirts of Gaza City and Netanyahu's government gave approval for a settlement to cut the occupied Palestinian territory in two
-
Court says labor board's structure unconstitutionalSpeed Read The ruling has broad implications for labor rights enforcement in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi
-
Feds seek harsh charges in DC arrests, except for riflesSpeed Read The DOJ said 465 arrests had been made in D.C. since Trump federalized law enforcement there two weeks ago
-
Trump taps Missouri AG to help lead FBISpeed Read Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has been appointed FBI co-deputy director, alongside Dan Bongino
-
Trump warms to Kyiv security deal in summitSpeed Read Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Trump's support for guaranteeing his country's security 'a major step forward'
-
DC protests as Trump deployment ramps upSpeed Read Trump's 'crusade against crime' is targeting immigrants and the homeless
