Trump lashes out at 'pathetic gambit' after attempt to kick him off Michigan ballot fails

Donald Trump on Wednesday hailed a widely expected Michigan Supreme Court ruling that keeps him on the state's primary ballot, although his candidacy could still be at risk for the general election.

The justices declined to review an appeals court ruling that upholds a Court of Claims finding that state law doesn't give election officials authority to determine the eligibility of presidential primary candidates — differing from a ruling by Colorado's Supreme Court last week that disqualified him from holding elected office in that state under Section Three of the 14th Amendment.

"The Michigan Supreme Court has strongly and rightfully denied the Desperate Democrat attempt to take the leading Candidate in the 2024 Presidential Election, me, off the ballot in the Great State of Michigan," Trump posted on his Truth Social network.

"This pathetic gambit to rig the Election has failed all across the Country, including in States that have historically leaned heavily toward the Democrats."

"Colorado is the only State to have fallen prey to the scheme," Trump added. "That 4-3 Colorado Supreme Court decision, which they themselves stayed, thus keeping me on the ballot as we go up to the U.S. Supreme Court, is being ridiculed and mocked all over the World."

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Democratic-nominated justice Elizabeth Welch explained that the Michigan plaintiffs had not identified any provision in state election law to attest their legal qualification for office, although Colorado law does allow a candidate to be removed from the ballot, and the Michigan ruling left open the possibility that the challenge could be renewed if Trump wins the Republican nomination.

"We have to prevent the 2024 Election from being Rigged and Stolen like they stole 2020 - just look at the complete mess we have as a result with Crooked Joe Biden violently destroying everything in his sight, from our once-great Economy to our once-fair Justice System," Trump posted. "We have to save our Country from decline and the Radical Left. Make America Great Again!"