You know that one overly dramatic, conspiracy-loving acquaintance from high school who rants in all caps about “the deep state” and shares wild theories? It’s astonishing how much the 45th president of the United States has in common with that person. Seriously, it’s quite the spectacle.
This individual, seemingly stuck in an alternate reality where logical reasoning only applies when it suits him, managed to lead the executive branch for four years. It’s mind-boggling. We all foresaw that Trump wouldn’t easily accept defeat—his supporters share a similar delusion, making it even harder to remove him from office. Once we finally voted him out, we anticipated he would resist leaving in every possible way. If there were a language for frivolous lawsuits, Trump would be fluent. While he can barely string together a coherent thought, he thrives in the realm of legal chaos.
Currently, he’s trying to swamp Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, and Arizona with legal challenges to stall the electoral process. Normally, lawsuits get him what he wants—it’s how he’s always done business. But a presidential election isn’t a property deal, and his cases are failing left and right, with judges dismissing them for lack of substance. Although he might call for a recount in Wisconsin, experts say it likely won’t change the outcome. The same applies to Georgia.
Trump’s behavior reminds me of when my son, as a child, got frustrated while playing Monopoly and flipped the board when he realized he was losing. It’s as if this grown man is attempting to flip the board and disrupt the whole game.
But what does this mean for democracy and the majority of Americans who chose Biden? How do we get Trump to recognize his defeat and leave the White House? Here’s a fun fact: he doesn’t actually have to concede. There’s no requirement for him to admit defeat, either verbally or in writing. Biden will become president regardless of whether Mr. Grumpy Pants gives a concession speech. Isn’t that amusing?
The reality is that we’ve had enough—enough falsehoods, enough violence, enough bullying, and enough racism. Wouldn’t it be nice if Trump displayed even a hint of decency and conceded like every president since 1896? It would reaffirm our faith in the resilience of democracy. However, we don’t need his concession to ensure a smooth transition to Biden.
There are established procedures for this. The U.S. government has a timeline set by federal law that allows for resolving disputes but also sets firm deadlines to prevent disruption of the democratic process. This system was put in place after the contentious 1876 election between Samuel J. Tilden and Rutherford B. Hayes. Following that election, the Electoral Count Act of 1887 was enacted, outlining a clear process with specific deadlines.
This year, any disputes must be resolved by December 8, 2020. By December 14, ballots will be cast by state electors, and those ballots must be delivered to the U.S. Senate by December 23, 2020. On January 6, Congress will meet to finalize the winner for any states with unresolved issues.
These deadlines have been tested in the past. In the 2000 election, Florida was still recounting votes by the December 12 deadline, leading the Supreme Court to halt the count, resulting in Bush’s victory by a mere 537 votes. Gore conceded afterward.
The U.S. has a solid and complex process for managing election disputes, and while Trump may not like it, he has to accept it. So do his followers. A gracious concession would be welcome, but it’s not a prerequisite for democracy to function without Trump.
Summary
In conclusion, Donald Trump does not need to concede for democracy to proceed smoothly. Established federal laws and processes dictate a timeline for resolving electoral disputes, ensuring that the transition of power will occur regardless of Trump’s actions. While a concession would be a dignified gesture, it is not a requirement for Biden’s presidency, as the democratic system is designed to function without it.