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Where Things Stand: Winding Down Loudly

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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 05: Former campaign adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, Corey Lewandowski (R) and former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi speak to the media about a court order giving the ... PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 05: Former campaign adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, Corey Lewandowski (R) and former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi speak to the media about a court order giving the Trump campaign access to observe vote counting operations on November 5, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With no winner yet declared in the presidential election, all eyes are on the outcome of a few remaining swing states. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images) MORE LESS

November 9, 2020 1:43 p.m.

Those closest to President Trump know he’s a powerful man, with a powerful, but brittle, ego.

And they knew if he lost the election, he would need something to cling to in order to maintain some cushioning for his inevitable belief that he didn’t actually lose.

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