Trump determined to create all-out chaos 'if he loses': analysis

When CBS News' Caitlin Huey-Burns interviewed Donald Trump on Monday — the opening day of the 2024 Democratic National Convention — she asked him if he would accept the election results if Vice President Kamala Harris defeats him in November.

Trump responded that he would need to "see that we had a fair and free election."

Trump told Huey-Burns, "I think things have been done over the last four-year period that will make this a free and fair election. And certainly if, for some reason, I lose — and I think if I lose, this country will go into a tailspin, the likes of which it's never seen before, the likes of 1929."

In an article published the following day, The New Republic's Hafiz Rashid describes that response as the latest troubling example of Trump refusing to "commit to accepting election results as legitimate if he loses."

READ MORE:'Did you fall on your head?' Megyn Kelly blasted for racist response to senator’s DNC speech

"Trump's comments were quickly picked up and posted by Kamala Harris' campaign to show that the man who famously instigated the 'Stop the Steal' movement and the January 6 Capitol riots hasn't changed much at all," Rashid observes. "Trump has repeatedly dodged the question of accepting the 2024 election results, even after being asked three times during his debate with President Biden."

Rashid goes on to say that Trump and his allies are prepared to create major chaos if Harris wins.

"The former president and convicted felon's cronies are making moves to undermine and even sabotage November's election in Republicans' favor," Rashid warns. "Several of them are working as election officials in key states, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. And they're looking to Trump and his campaign for direction."

Rashid adds, "Supporters of democracy will have to be vigilant to ensure that the results are free and fair in less than three months."

READ MORE: Meet the prominent Republicans who are backing Harris at DNC