Trump drops BOMBSHELL election threat

Donald Trump's stated goal of never losing an election if the 'Save Act' passes is interpreted as a broader strategy to undermine democratic processes. This strategy encompasses legislative efforts like the 'Save Act,' executive orders (e.g., directing the USPS not to carry ballots, tying funding to state ID laws), and potentially illegal actions like seizing ballots or invalidating entire state vote counts based on ID requirements. The guest, Mark Elias, emphasizes that Trump is not constrained by norms or laws.

Trump's statement: 'We'll never lose a race for 50 years. We won't lose a race if they're able to pass the Save Act.' (0:11). Elias's interpretation: 'He's going to try to steal the election and he is telling you that.' (0:38). Discussion of executive orders, DOJ actions, and federalizing elections (1:17-1:28).

A central component of the 'Save Act' is a mandatory proof of citizenship law. This provision would require voters to present an original birth certificate or a passport, effectively disenfranchising tens of millions of Americans who do not possess these specific documents. The guest clarifies that common forms of identification like driver's licenses (even Real ID) are generally not accepted as proof of citizenship.

The 'Save Act' would 'impose a mandatory proof of citizenship law, which would disenfranchise tens of millions of voters who do not either have a passport or an original birth certificate.' (1:33). 'The only way to prove citizenship, an original birth certificate or a certified copy or a passport.' (2:12).

Legal teams, such as the one led by Mark Elias, are preparing extensive pre-emptive legal challenges to counter anticipated voter suppression tactics. They 'war-game' potential actions by the Trump administration, preparing legal pleadings in advance to file lawsuits immediately upon any executive orders or legislative changes. This rapid response aims to leverage the courts to block efforts that could interfere with elections, even if implemented at the last minute.

Elias's firm sued within an hour of Georgia's voter suppression law and six minutes after Florida's (8:01-8:05). 'We are constantly wargaming out potential actions on the other side. It's one of the ways we're able to litigate so fast is that we essentially prepare pleadings assuming certain things are going to happen.' (8:44).

Beyond legal and executive actions, a key part of the strategy is to spread lies and misinformation to distort reality for the public, especially those not closely following politics. The goal is to create a perception of corrupt elections, making people more receptive to claims of fraud when Republicans lose. This tactic aims to delegitimize election results and justify 'extraordinary' actions like seizing ballots or setting aside votes.

Trump 'wants to distort reality for people who are not paying attention to politics.' (13:03). 'He is trying to say that if the faithful tells people that there are corrupt elections, that the people who aren't paying a lot of attention will still walk away thinking, 'Oh, there must have been corrupt election.'' (13:27). 'Discourage people from voting, confuse people, but also inspire them as happened in January 6 to violence.' (14:10).