NEW: Trump campaign going v hard in a briefing call happening now about the election.
Campaign manager @BillStepien: "The Democrats lying, cheating and stealing is running rampant all over this country.”
Trump campaign setting up a hotline and website for people across the country to flag election irregularities.
Trump campaign manager @BillStepien on what they allege is happening as votes come in for Biden.
"It is a disgrace. The American people deserve better. Our democracy deserves better.”
(Short on specifics and of course contested by Dems)
This is what Trump campaign is spinning
- Trump has won Pennsylvania
- Trump 'on pace' to win Arizona
- Optimistic he will win Georgia + North Carolina
That would mean Trump stays president on current map
(BUT Biden ahead in Arizona, could win PA + G)
Trump campaign adviser @JasonMillerinDC says by end of tomorrow it will be clear Trump has won and will stay president.
Trump campaign is clarifying Trump's 'stop the count' tweet. Apparently that means stop counting *illegal* ballots.
“We should not be counting ballots that clearly came in after the election as being completely legitimate until we’ve had time to go through…” - @JasonMillerinDC
Earlier lots of hot rhetoric about Pennsylvania
(Where Trump's ahead but if Biden wins it's over)
- Called state official a “partisan hack” +“disgrace”
- Called Philadelphia “a corrupt place which is known for its shenanigans on election day and after"
(Lots of focus on Philly)
Trump campaign call over. Summary:
- They're arguing Trump will win
- Say he'll win Arizona, Georgia, N Carolina, Pennsy'
- V hard rhetoric alleging election fraud
- Setting up hotline / website to report
- But loose on the specifics of alleged fraud
They are not backing down.
One to watch.
Trump camp bullish about winning Pennsylvania + Arizona
But, to my ear on that call, less so about Georgia.
Similar to yesterday's call when they sounded less confident on Wisconsin + Michigan. Both later went Biden.
If Biden takes Georgia + Nevada he wins.
Last point: Above is of course all the Trump campaign spin. Dems strongly refute idea of election fraud + believe they will win. Do not take the above as fact. But useful I think for people to see their spin for themselves.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
John Bolton:
"...All candidates are entitled to pursue appropriate election-law remedies if they have evidence supporting their claims. They should certainly not lie. The 1st Republican president was called 'Honest Abe' for a reason"
1/
Mitt Romney, Repub Utah senator, on Trump
"He is wrong to say the election was rigged, corrupt and stolen - doing so damages the cause of freedom here and around the world... and recklessly inflames destructive and dangerous passions."
2/
Pat Toomey, Repub Pennsylvania senator
“There’s simply no evidence anyone has shown me of any widespread corruption or fraud"
“The president’s speech last night was very disturbing to me because he made very, very serious allegations without any evidence to support it"
3/
Good morning from Washington! 5.30am here. My dreams are now entirely made up of vote margins. US went to sleep Wednesday night with the 5 big states yet to call. Wakes on Friday to the same. But we are edging towards a result...
Big change of course is Georgia. Biden 917 votes ahead, 2ish% to count. This doesn’t guarantee victory there. Military ballots still to come in (likely good for Trump, don’t know how many). Biden team yesterday said it was touch+go. But 36hr trend has been towards Biden.
Worth noting just how remarkable it is Dems could win Georgia. Last blue in 1992. Republican win margins in last five elections: 11.7% (2000), 16.6% (04), 5.2% (08), 7.8% (12), 5.2% (16). Part of the Deep South may have flipped on Trump.
Good morning! The never-ending election continues. 5.30am in DC. Counting through the night. Both Trump + Biden still have pathways as Tuesday’s election stretches into Thurs. Harder for president, but not done yet. On and on and on it goes.
Where things stand
NEVADA
Biden 8k-ish up. 86% counted
ARIZONA
Biden 68k-ish up. 86% counted
(Win both, Biden is president)
N CAROLINA
Trump 77k-ish up. 95% counted
GEORGIA
Trump 18k-ish up. 96% counted
PENNSYLVANIA
Trump 165k-ish up. 89% counted
(Alaska tbc, will be R)
The basic dynamics:
Can Trump erase Biden’s margins in Nevada and Arizona? Both AP + Fox called Arizona for B. Trump camp insisting they’ll win.
Can Biden overtake Trump in Georgia + Pennsylvania? Every vote drop (mainly postal) narrows Trump’s leads.
NEW: Trump campaign briefing call going on. They claim Trump will Pennsylvania with 40k votes. "We feel like the president is in a very, very very good position." Very bullish. They are not backing down.
Trump campaign adviser @JasonMillerinDC says Trump will win Arizona. "Anyone who has called this race is just plain wrong.”
Trump campaign manager @BillStepien: "If we count all legally cast ballots we believe the president will win.”