Not Just Non-Citizens And Dems: Trump’s Got A GOP Guy To Blame If He Loses, Too

This is your TPM evening briefing.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 13: Republican National Committee co-chair Michael Whatley leaves the Fiserv Forum, which is scheduled to host the Republican National Convention (RNC), shortly after presumptive Republica... MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 13: Republican National Committee co-chair Michael Whatley leaves the Fiserv Forum, which is scheduled to host the Republican National Convention (RNC), shortly after presumptive Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump was injured at a rally in Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. According to Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger, the suspected gunman is dead after grazing former President Trump with a bullet, killing one audience member and injuring at least one other. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

It’s been clear to those paying attention for some time that Donald Trump has no intention of accepting the results of an election he loses. For two years now, he’s dodged repeatedly in public anytime he’s presented with a version of the now-very-familiar questions: “Will you accept the results of the election?” “Will you commit to a peaceful transfer of power?” These inquiries, of course, only became necessary after his failed attempt to cling to power four years ago.

He’ll only accept the results of a “fair election,” he’ll only accept the results if Democrats don’t “cheat.” He’s been telling us what to expect for a while now. And he’s been rather obvious about who he will blame, too. The Democrats. The “enemy from within.” His political rivals. Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff, specifically. The fake news. The non-existent hordes of non-citizens who are supposedly breaking the law, risking deportation, endangering their livelihoods and immigration status just to cast a vote for Vice President Kamala Harris. The tricksy RINOs and Never-Trumpers.

But its not just his perceived nemeses who will bear the brunt of the blame for any election result that doesn’t land him back in the White House. Axios has a few new nuggets of reporting in a piece published today that reveal the former president is setting himself up to blame the guy tasked with running the Republican National Committee if things don’t go well for him.

Michael Whatley, the chair of the RNC who has been running a slew of “election integrity” programs since his elevation to the job, is reportedly the intended scapegoat. Whatley has not only overseen the RNC’s strategic 180 towards embracing early voting programs, he’s also led an effort to recruit Trump supporters as poll watchers and poll workers. It’s widely believed that the fixation on poll watchers and workers is part of a scheme to gin up claims and supposed evidence of voter fraud.

If the scheme doesn’t produce results, Trump’s made it clear: Whatley will be to blame. He publicly said as much at a recent rally in North Carolina, Whatley’s home state.

“Where are you, Michael? Stand up. We’re counting on this guy. I didn’t take him from any other state. I took him right from here,” Trump said. “So Michael, you better win or you’re never going to be able to come back here. He doesn’t win, he won’t be at RNC and he will no longer be in North Carolina. He’ll be looking for a job.”

He’s saying it more explicitly in private, too. Per Axios:

In fact, in private conversations with allies recently, Trump has said he believes the only reason he could lose the election is if Whatley drops the ball on “election integrity” issues.

The Best Of TPM Today

Courts Shut Down Non-Citizen Voter Fear Mongering Efforts Across the Country

Threatening ‘The Enemy Within’ With Force: Military Ethicists Explain The Danger To American Tradition

Latest Person To Give Alito A Gift: German Princess And ’80s Party Scenester-Turned-Catholic Reactionary

ICYMI from Emine Yücel: What To Know About The Ballot Drop Box Incidents In Oregon And Washington

Yesterday’s Most Read Story

Trump’s MSG Rally Incited MAGA To Do Whatever It Takes To Seize Power

What We Are Reading

The Very Real Scenario Where Trump Loses and Takes Power Anyway

Why it would be difficult for Trump to reverse the 2024 election results

Puerto Rico’s G.O.P. Chairman Demands Apology From Trump for Comic’s Remarks

Latest Where Things Stand

Notable Replies

  1. So What…

  2. I think that I’m in love with Baldura

  3. It is never him. He didn’t do it and so he is not to blame. It is always the other guy.
    Sounds like a 6 year old to me.

  4. Trump and Republicans will blame everyone but themselves, because they believe that they are right and should be able to force their will onto the rest of us. It’s in line with their Christian theocracy push, so they think they are on a Misson From God and anything that gets in the way is the work of Satan. That’s the core that the rest of the MAGA movement is built from, and it’s why they can never be granted power again, because they really will undo our nation and replace it with something that has no real resemblance to a democracy.

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

39 more replies

Participants

Avatar for system1 Avatar for ajm Avatar for mondfledermaus Avatar for becca656 Avatar for drriddle Avatar for jkrogman Avatar for stradivarius50t3 Avatar for brucea Avatar for bboerner Avatar for dsfinley Avatar for careysub Avatar for califdemdreamer Avatar for fiftygigs Avatar for uneducated Avatar for brian512 Avatar for tpr Avatar for drtv Avatar for jstrummer Avatar for davidn Avatar for evave2 Avatar for bcgister Avatar for moshok Avatar for ladyfair Avatar for enceladus

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: