Donald Trump (Jim Watson:AFP)
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany is facing backlash for refusing to say President Donald Trump would accept defeat in November.
McEnany was asked on Wednesday whether Trump would accept the results of the 2020 election if he was defeated by his rival Joe Biden, but she refused to directly answer the question.
"The president has always said he'll see what happens and make a determination in the aftermath,” the press secretary said.
Former GOP congressman Joe Walsh said the statement was “tantamount to an act of war by a President against his own country.”
@WalshFreedom He didn't accept the results of the last election, and he won!— Nonacrophobic (@Nonacrophobic)1597861373.0
“This is so scary,” said Michael McFaul, who served as the United States Ambassador to Russia from 2012 to 2014.
This is so scary. Trump doesn't get to decide if the election is free and fair. That's NOT his job. (& he would not… https://t.co/gssMRqHSqo— Michael McFaul (@Michael McFaul)1597860371.0
Many other people also expressed their concern on Twitter:
Question for Biden: Let's say the 2020 election is the same as the 2000 election. Same margins, same states. But in… https://t.co/Q7C8loLmmu— Greg Pollowitz (@Greg Pollowitz)1597860432.0
@AnaCabrera This scares the hell out of me Ana— DJ Mike Bills (@DJ Mike Bills)1597859706.0
Why is Kayleigh McEnany not resigning? https://t.co/us4Kt21zSB— Alexa O'Brien (@Alexa O'Brien)1597859870.0
A White House press secretary echoes American president's comments undermining the sanctity/security of the preside… https://t.co/rY9cdf3Wy1— Jonathan Landay (@Jonathan Landay)1597859414.0
Seems clear Trump will probably call any election he loses a fraud. But he could also just leave and continue to ho… https://t.co/2yPvDdo5wZ— Ben White (@Ben White)1597860293.0
It seems like the White House is saying Trump will take a look at the election results and then determine if they a… https://t.co/KDaRbk2bL6— Joan Greve (@Joan Greve)1597860501.0
When some states threaten to secede will Trump accept a loss? Putin will advise accordingly. https://t.co/tZWG2iH2p4— David Carroll 🗳 (@David Carroll 🗳)1597860312.0
@sam_vinograd When Trump says he wants 2 more terms, when he says he won't accept the election results, when he say… https://t.co/PvTqorSYi3— Danielle Candela (@Danielle Candela)1597861130.0
@MarkSZaidEsq Translation: Unless Trump wins, he will NOT accept the election results. Everyone else should plan accordingly.— Honest Politics (@Honest Politics)1597860005.0
Does anyone else think we are going to need to escort Trump out of the oval office in handcuffs, when he doesn't ac… https://t.co/LPEkkFSBGg— Chip Franklin InsideTheBeltway.com (@Chip Franklin InsideTheBeltway.com)1597861712.0
No, would be the only correct answer from Kayleigh. But we all know Trump will absolutely refuse to leave when he l… https://t.co/Y0H4HFwa9J— Dan Gau (@Dan Gau)1597861652.0
