Trump Puts His 2020 Playbook Into Action

New York Times: “With Election Day only three days away, Mr. Trump is already claiming the Democrats are ‘a bunch of cheats,’ as his allies in battleground states spread distorted reports of mishaps at the polls to push a narrative of widespread fraud.”

“Mr. Trump and his most prominent supporters have pointed to partisan polling and betting markets to claim that he is heading for a ‘crushing victory,’ as his top surrogate Elon Musk recently put it. The expectation helps set the stage for disbelief and outrage among his supporters should he lose.”

“And in a direct echo of his failed — and, prosecutors say, illegal — bid to remain in power after the 2020 election, some of his most influential advisers are suggesting he will yet again seek to claim victory before all the votes are counted, a move that ushered in his efforts to deny his defeat four years ago and helped set the stage for the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.”