Trump concedes 'nothing' on election; Biden team to meet vaccine makers

[webfact]

Trump concedes 'nothing' on election; Biden team to meet vaccine makers

By Sarah N. Lynch, Susan Heavey and Trevor Hunnicutt

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump walks down the West Wing colonnade from the Oval Office to the Rose Garden to deliver an update on the so-called "Operation Warp Speed" program, the joint Defense Department and HHS initiative that has struck deals with several drugmakers in an effort to help speed up the search for effective treatments for the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, at the White House in Washington, U.S., November 13, 2020. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

 

WASHINGTON/WILMINGTON, Del. (Reuters) - President Donald Trump appeared on Sunday to acknowledge losing the U.S. election but then backtracked and said he concedes "nothing," while President-elect Joe Biden focused on tackling the coronavirus pandemic and set meetings with pharmaceutical companies developing vaccines.

 

Ron Klain, Biden's pick for White House chief of staff, urged Trump's administration to allow a seamless transition, calling it vital for national security and combating COVID-19.

 

The pandemic will be a paramount concern for Biden, who takes office on Jan. 20. Klain said Biden's scientific advisors will meet with Pfizer Inc <PFE.N> and other drugmakers starting this week to prepare for the "giant logistical project" of widespread vaccination against a virus that has killed more than 245,000 Americans and left millions more unemployed.

 

Biden defeated Trump in the Nov. 3 election by winning a series of battleground states that the Republican incumbent had won in 2016. The Democratic former vice president also won the national popular vote by at least 5.5 million votes, or 3.6 percentage points, with some ballots still being counted.

 

Trump, pursuing long-shot litigation contesting election results in several states, made conflicting statements in a series of Twitter posts.

 

He initially appeared to admit for the first time publicly that Biden won, then reversed course. Trump also repeated unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud.

 

"He won because the Election was Rigged," Trump wrote, not referring to Biden by name, adding a list of complaints about vote counting.

 

About 90 minutes later, Trump wrote, "He only won in the eyes of the FAKE NEWS MEDIA. I concede NOTHING! We have a long way to go. This was a RIGGED ELECTION!"

 

"WE WILL WIN!" added Trump, who then went on a golf outing at a club he owns in Virginia.

 

Speaking on NBC's "Meet the Press," Klain said, "Donald Trump's Twitter feed doesn't make Joe Biden president or not president. The American people did that."

 

The decision by the General Services Administration, headed by a Trump appointee, not to recognize Biden as president-elect has prevented Biden and his team from gaining access to government office space and funding normally afforded to an incoming administration to ensure a smooth transition.

 

Without explicitly mentioning the transition, Trump praised the agency's administrator Emily Murphy, writing on Twitter: "Great job Emily!"

 

Klain said Murphy's agency must formally recognize Biden, saying it is critical to ensure the president-elect receives intelligence briefings before taking office and to facilitate coordination with the White House coronavirus task force. Klain urged Congress to pass bipartisan coronavirus relief legislation by year's end. Talks on such legislation stalled before the election.

 

VACCINE CHALLENGE Klain previously said a smooth transition is necessary to ensure the government is prepared to roll out a COVID-19 vaccine early next year. Pfizer announced last week that its vaccine candidate proved more than 90% effective in initial trial results, giving hope that widespread vaccination in the coming months could help get the pandemic under control.

 

Other companies also are in advanced stages of developing promising vaccines.

 

"You know, it's great to have a vaccine, but vaccines don't save lives. Vaccinations save lives," Klain said. "And that means you've got to get that vaccine into people's arms all over this country."

 

The mechanics of manufacture and distribution lies with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Klain added, making it important for Biden's team to be able to coordinate with current HHS officials.

 

Speaking on CNN's "State of the Union" program, Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious diseases expert and a White House task force member, underscored the importance of a smooth transition in pandemic control efforts.

 

"Of course it would be better if we could start working with them," Fauci said of coordination between the existing task force and Biden's team.

 

Fauci welcomed Klain's selection, saying he had been "terrific" under former President Barack Obama in managing the U.S. response to a 2014 Ebola outbreak.

 

LEGAL STRATEGY

Trump's campaign has filed lawsuits seeking to overturn the results in multiple states, without success. Legal experts have said the litigation stands little chance of altering the election's outcome. Election officials of both parties have said there is no evidence of major irregularities.

 

A laborious hand recount is underway in Georgia, where Biden has been projected as the winner and holds a margin of more than 14,000 votes. Patrick Moore, a Biden campaign legal adviser, said the recount has so far shifted vote totals "almost imperceptibly," and in Biden's favor, and that there had been no evidence of widespread irregularities or any indication the result will be reversed.

 

Control of the U.S. Senate will be decided by two January runoff elections in Georgia, which will be important for the fate of Biden's ambitious legislative agenda. Klain said Biden may campaign in Georgia ahead of the runoffs.

 

Senator Bernie Sanders, one of Biden's main challengers for the Democratic presidential nomination, criticized Trump's post-election conduct.

 

"Trump will have the distinction of doing more than any person in the history of this country in undermining American democracy. The idea that he continues to tell his supporters that the only reason he may have lost this election was because of fraud is an absolutely disgraceful, un-American thing to do," Sanders said on "State of the Union."

 

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch and Susan Heavey in Washington and Trevor Hunnicutt in Wilmington, Delaware; Additional reporting by Diane Bartz and Joseph Ax; Writing by Will Dunham; Editing by Timothy Heritage and Daniel Wallis)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-11-16

 

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[timendres]

I half expect to see Donald kicking his feet and waving his tiny hands, as the secret service drags him out of the oval office...

[AlexRich]

Can't wait to see this clown’s reign end. Next stop the Southern District of New York. 

[Jingthing]

Yeah, but he kinda did.

There he goes again with his endless gaslighting.

Wouldn't it be really great for America if after he's evicted from the white house that people finally stop listening to him?
I know.

Too much to ask. 

 

This pundit still thinks its possible that 45 can successfully stage a self coup.

 

One of his three dreadful scenarios. 

 

Egads.

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trump-wants-to-overturn-the-results-of-a-free-and-fair-election-theres-a-word-for-that/2020/11/13/cb94b77e-25b6-11eb-952e-0c475972cfc0_story.html

 

Trump is putting this country through something unprecedented. Here are three scenarios.

Edited November 15, 2020 by Jingthing

[Tug]

He can’t admit he lost he’s not done grifting his base gotta suck up that money after all he is what he is 

[PatOngo]

8 minutes ago, Tug said:

after all he is what he is 

A disgusting, degenerate human being!

[OneMoreFarang]

This is a wonderful article about the current USA situation. Enjoy!

 

Laugh? We nearly all died – why my US failed state Twitter thread went viral

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/nov/15/patrick-gathara-donald-trump-us-election-joe-biden-twitter-thread

 

Here is just one little example:

 

P.S.: Dear admin, if you don't like this please only delete the screenshot.

[teacherclaire]

U.S. President Donald Trump walks down the West Wing colonnade from the Oval Office to the Rose Garden to deliver an update on the so-called "Operation Warp Speed" program

 

Did he not understand that Biden should be in the White House? Kick him out by using Warp Speed. 

[Jeffr2]

15 minutes ago, teacherclaire said:

U.S. President Donald Trump walks down the West Wing colonnade from the Oval Office to the Rose Garden to deliver an update on the so-called "Operation Warp Speed" program

 

Did he not understand that Biden should be in the White House? Kick him out by using Warp Speed. 

Biden isn't suppose to be in the WH until January 20th. But the transition should be happening now.

 

The worst part of this are his lies about voter fraud. And how some are actually stupid enough to believe that.

[Scott]

Troll post reported and removed.

 

[Throatwobbler]

Trump and his supporters just showing what they really are. Just spoilt little brats. Reminds me of a toddler having a tantrum in a supermarket until he gets what he wants. Hopefully in the end normal sane people will just ignore them.

[Jeffr2]

5 minutes ago, Throatwobbler said:

Trump and his supporters just showing what they really are. Just spoilt little brats. Reminds me of a toddler having a tantrum in a supermarket until he gets what he wants. Hopefully in the end normal sane people will just ignore them.

Sadly, things won't change quickly. Politics has changed the country for a long time. Especially with many now getting their "news" from divisive media outlets. Many of which support insane conspiracy theories. Like election fraud.

[Throatwobbler]

17 minutes ago, Jeffr2 said:

Sadly, things won't change quickly. Politics has changed the country for a long time. Especially with many now getting their "news" from divisive media outlets. Many of which support insane conspiracy theories. Like election fraud.

Unfortunately what you say is true. You can see that on here as every lie that Trump tells is pedaled as absolute truth by his supporters. The hero worship he has is bordering on a cult. If Trump says it it must be true and the disciples must act accordingly.

Edited November 16, 2020 by Throatwobbler

[Scott]

Off-topic, troll posts removed along with replies.

 

[Skeptic7]

Not a single redeeming quality about this fool. Never has been never will be. A bad loser, a bad winner. Overall just an awful excuse of a human being. Arrogant, immature, zero integrity, no smarts and even less scruples. A cheater, stealer and the king of lies, deceit, deception, false claims and BS. 

 

Good riddance. Eviction Day can't come soon enough. Hopefully in cuffs! 

[nobodysfriend]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

"He only won in the eyes of the FAKE NEWS MEDIA. I concede NOTHING! We have a long way to go. This was a RIGGED ELECTION!"

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The decision by the General Services Administration, headed by a Trump appointee, not to recognize Biden as president-elect has prevented Biden and his team from gaining access to government office space and funding normally afforded to an incoming administration to ensure a smooth transition.

 

He just can't swallow that he did not win .

He is a psycho , who does not care much about anything but himself .

The only way to avoid that he takes social unrest to the streets is to tell him that he can represent himself at the 2024 elections and that he will win , of course ...

[PatOngo]

1 hour ago, Jeffr2 said:

And how some are actually stupid enough to believe that.

Yes, seventy million stupid people, that is scary!

[Bluespunk]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

"He won because the Election was Rigged," Trump wrote, not referring to Biden by name, adding a list of complaints about vote counting.

Strike 1

 

5 hours ago, webfact said:

About 90 minutes later, Trump wrote, "He only won in the eyes of the FAKE NEWS MEDIA. I concede NOTHING! We have a long way to go. This was a RIGGED ELECTION!"

Strike 2

 

5 hours ago, webfact said:

"WE WILL WIN!" added Trump, who then went on a golf outing at a club he owns in Virginia.

Strike 3

 

You're out.

[newatthis]

Just now, Bluespunk said:

You're out.

Hopefully that will MAGA.

[Opl]

3 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

This is a wonderful article about the current USA situation. Enjoy!

 

Laugh? We nearly all died – why my US failed state Twitter thread went viral

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/nov/15/patrick-gathara-donald-trump-us-election-joe-biden-twitter-thread

 

Here is just one little example:

 

P.S.: Dear admin, if you don't like this please only delete the screenshot.

 

As unpleasant as it can be to Americans, second to none ... 

back to June 2017: 

"The genius of Trump is that he understands what adept guerrilla leaders figured out ages ago – do that which the opponent thinks is impossible or so unthinkable, they have not planned how to defend it."

"Trump – or indeed any leader in an “advanced” democracy – can turn into an Idi Amin."

https://theconversation.com/idi-amin-and-donald-trump-strong-men-with-unlikely-parallels-78004

Edited November 16, 2020 by Opl

[Silurian]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

"He won because the Election was Rigged," Trump wrote, not referring to Biden by name, adding a list of complaints about vote counting.

 

So is that as close as we will get to a concession speech? Donald actually admitting Biden has won. Good, now we can all move on.

[Sujo]

At least the president elect is jumping the obstacles and working on it, while president plays golf.

[placeholder]

30 minutes ago, Opl said:

 

As unpleasant as it can be to Americans, second to none ... 

back to June 2017: 

"The genius of Trump is that he understands what adept guerrilla leaders figured out ages ago – do that which the opponent thinks is impossible or so unthinkable, they have not planned how to defend it."

"Trump – or indeed any leader in an “advanced” democracy – can turn into an Idi Amin."

https://theconversation.com/idi-amin-and-donald-trump-strong-men-with-unlikely-parallels-78004

I think it would be genius if Trump were capable of doing otherwise. It's more like a case of natural selection where his pathology gives him an edge.

[OneMoreFarang]

4 hours ago, Jeffr2 said:

The worst part of this are his lies about voter fraud. And how some are actually stupid enough to believe that.

They voted for Trump. They obviously believe a lot of BS.

[Isaan sailor]

Liberals must be happy about new mail-in voting rules.  It sure got Joe Biden lots more votes.

[placeholder]

7 minutes ago, Isaan sailor said:

Liberals must be happy about new mail-in voting rules.  It sure got Joe Biden lots more votes.

 

7 minutes ago, Isaan sailor said:

Liberals must be happy about new mail-in voting rules.  It sure got Joe Biden lots more votes.

You mean because only Democrats were allowed to use mail-in ballots? I got news for you: that's not the case.

[Jingthing]

17 minutes ago, Isaan sailor said:

Liberals must be happy about new mail-in voting rules.  It sure got Joe Biden lots more votes.

The republican strategy is to suppress as many votes as possible.

The democratic strategy (much more democratic actually) is to make it easier for more people to vote.

Republicans know the only way they win is to limit the votes, especially of the poor and minorities.

I would love to see the Australian system in the U.S. What a sea change that would mean. 

Even Mr. Trump admitted this:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-election-voting-republicans-us-2020-a9437881.html

Quote

 

Trump says Republicans would never win election again if it was easier to vote

Donald Trump admitted what many Democrats believe to be true 

 

 

In other words, the democrats are the party of real democracy.

The republicans, under the continued toxic leadership of Mr. Trump even assuming he goes away January 20, the party of autocracy.

I'm sure the founders were not trying to have an American autocracy.

Edited November 16, 2020 by Jingthing

[johnnybangkok]

19 minutes ago, Isaan sailor said:

Liberals must be happy about new mail-in voting rules.  It sure got Joe Biden lots more votes.

There was nothing particularly 'new' about them and as has already been pointed out, Republicans had the same rules.

Despite widespread coverage of the reasons for the large swing to Dems, almost all Trump fans (including yourself) are choosing to ignore the facts. So let me clear it up for you.

Trump demonised mail-in voting so most of his supporters showed up on the day to vote. They then had a healthy lead early on as they get counted first. Biden supporters, fearing Covid and voter intimidation, voted largely by mail. Their votes got counted second and in some cases, didn't even get started on until after election day, however once they did get counted, they swung 'bigly' to Biden.

Nothing to do with new rules. Nothing to do with fraud. Understand?  

Edited November 16, 2020 by johnnybangkok

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

23 minutes ago, Isaan sailor said:

Liberals must be happy about new mail-in voting rules.  It sure got Joe Biden lots more votes.

 

For the good of the democracy, the various states should be doing everything they can to encourage ALL people who are legally entitled to vote to do so.  And that's especially true in the midst of a devastating CV pandemic in the U.S.

 

To the extent that expanded mail-in voting encourages more Americans of all stripes to vote, that's good for the country and good for its democracy.

 

As others have noted, Republicans have exactly the opposite political philosophy and have taken myriad actions in the various states designed to suppress and impede citizens from voting.  That's an anathema to democracy in the U.S. system.

 

Edited November 16, 2020 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[placeholder]

2 minutes ago, johnnybangkok said:

There was nothing particularly 'new' about them and as has already been pointed out, Republicans had the same rules.

Despite widespread coverage of the reasons for the large swing to Dems, almost all Trump fans (including yourself) are choosing to ignore the facts. So let me clear it up for you.

Trump demonised mail-in voting so most of his supporters showed up on the day to vote. They then had a healthy lead early on as they get counted first. Biden supporters, fearing Covid and voter intimidation, voted largely by mail. There votes got counted second and in some cases, didn't even get started on until after election day, however once they did get counted, they swung 'bigly' to Biden.

Nothing to do with new rules. Nothing to do with fraud. Understand?  

Actually that's only true for states such as Pennsylvania where the tallying of ballots can only begin on election day. Democrats in Pennsylvania fought to have that changed so the mail-in ballots could be tallied as they came in. Republicans nixed that. I guess they didn't want to adopt the practices of leftie socialistic states like Iowa.