Former President Donald Trump wants us to believe he would like to see President Joe Biden succeed so much, he would essentially be happy to lose an election.
Trump sat down with Fox News’ Sean Hannity for an interview where he was asked if he would like to see Biden succeed.
“I would rather have him succeed incredibly, even if it meant…maybe even a loss. I want to see what’s good for the country,” Trump responded.
He went on, “This country’s a mess. This country’s not going to survive. The way it’s going right now, it’s not going to survive.”
Watch the video below:
Trump is asked if he wants Biden to succeed:
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) September 23, 2022
"I would rather have him succeed incredibly, even if it meant a much tougher and maybe even a loss. I want to see what's good for the country." pic.twitter.com/yqXrZCBaTy
His comments would undoubtedly be welcome if he meant them.
This is what we should expect our politicians to say.
It’s not realistic. But it would be great if every politician would be willing to say, “I’d rather have the country doing so well economically and socially, even if it meant that I lose.” That would be much better than the dark predictions we hear from politicians of both parties about the country falling apart if they do not win.
The problem with Trump is his comments do not match up with his behavior after his loss in the 2020 election.
Had Trump simply conceded the election and wished Biden a successful presidency, Americans might have a better view of him.
Of course, that is not what happened.
It took roughly a month for the Trump administration to authorize the beginning of the transition, as Trump declined to concede the election and insisted it was stolen through widespread fraud.
Even after then-Attorney General William Barr told The Associated Press there had been no evidence of widespread fraud uncovered, and after the Electoral College voted, Trump still pushed his claims about the election being stolen.
His claims about the election allegedly being stolen fueled the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to overturn Biden’s win.
So yes, it is nice to hear Trump express this sentiment.
But given what happened after the 2020 election, it is hard to picture him delivering a gracious concession speech after a potential loss in 2024.