It's been nearly two weeks since the Associated Press and every major news network, on the counsel of elections and data experts, projected that President-elect Joe Biden had defeated President Donald Trump in the 2020 election.
Trump has yet to acknowledge this reality, opting instead to fire off lies on Twitter that widespread voter fraud—of which there is no evidence and which his own administration assures doesn't exist—tipped the election to Biden.
The swing state of Michigan—which Biden won by nearly 150 thousand votes—is the latest target of Trump's lies.
On Tuesday night, Trump thought the state's most populous county—Wayne County—could reverse Biden's victory in the state.
The two Republicans on the county's four person Board of Canvassers initially voted not to certify its results, citing mismatched numbers between those who signed in to vote and the ballots actually cast. This irregularity occurred as recently as 2016 and Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson assured that it was "not an indication that any votes were improperly cast or counted."
The numbers were off by around 300 votes. Biden won Wayne County by over 320 thousand votes.
One of the Board's Republican members—Monica Palmer—said she would be open to certifying results from districts in Wayne County that didn't include Detroit, which is around 80 percent Black. Nearby Livonia—a 90 percent white suburb—had a greater number of irregularities than Detroit.
After public outcry, accusations of political impetus, and a premature celebration from Trump, the Board returned and unanimously certified the county's results.
Trump erupted on Twitter, propping up the delusion that he won the state of Michigan and the (nonexistent) level of widespread fraud had mucked it beyond repair.
He said the state of Michigan should be switched to red.
In Detroit, there are FAR MORE VOTES THAN PEOPLE. Nothing can be done to cure that giant scam. I win Michigan!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 18, 2020
The Great State of Michigan, with votes being far greater than the number of people who voted, cannot certify the election. The Democrats cheated big time, and got caught. A Republican WIN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 18, 2020
Wrong! At first they voted against because there were far more VOTES than PEOPLE (Sad!). Then they were threatened, screamed at and viciously harassed, and were FORCED to change their vote, but then REFUSED, as American patriots, to sign the documents. 71% MESS. Don't Harass! https://t.co/n5frpesHfD
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 18, 2020
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN)—a frequent target of Trump's rhetoric—rebuked Trump with a brutal fact-check, while crediting her colleague and friend, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI).
This is pathetic and a lie. @RashidaTlaib's team organized like hell to win Michigan for President-elect Joe Biden, running a massive, grassroots-fueled operation that made more than 664,000 connections with voters.
You lost, and you lost big. https://t.co/YR1zYUgcH8
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) November 18, 2020
Tlaib represents Michigan's 13th Congressional District, which contains half of Detroit. Omar cited Tlaib's efforts to turn Michigan back to blue after Trump won the state in the 2016 election. Like the campaign that catapulted her to Congress, Tlaib harnessed the power of grassroots organization and interpersonal voter connection to help secure the state for Biden and down ballot Democrats.
Tlaib later retweeted Omar, adding her own response.
Khalas (enough) with all his lies. Biden won Michigan by 14 times Trump's margin in 2016 (146,000 votes!).
His attempt with the help of @MIGOP to completely disenfranchise the votes of an 80% Black city shows how far they will go to destroy our republic using Jim Crow tactics. https://t.co/sLidUtS9Jy
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) November 18, 2020
People applauded Omar's rebuke and joined calls for Trump to acknowledge he lost.
You lost big @realDonaldTrump https://t.co/Og3uCvqZlr
— Grant Smith (@GrantSmith16) November 18, 2020
So tired of his lies, can't wait until he goes. This is why Michigan voted him OUT. https://t.co/KIrAarCslF
— Sheila E. Pic | VOTED TO SAVE DEMOCRACY (@SheilaEee) November 18, 2020
#TrumpConcede #TrumpLiesEverytimeHeSpeaks #BanTrumpsTwitterAccount https://t.co/owQTTlcwg9
— Chris Anderson (@CLanceAnderson) November 18, 2020
✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾 https://t.co/MILb4VhrFx
— ⚪️55% Jonathan (@JonathanBeeGood) November 18, 2020
Amen to that!!! Fight on sisters. You make us all so proud. Your courage transcends race, gender and age. ✊🏻
— katherine (@kathedden) November 18, 2020
get his ass ma'am
— sam (@theokmullins) November 18, 2020
Omar wasn't the only one to roast Trump's misinformation.
This is just pathetic. I can't imagine having to live in La La Land.
— Scott Dworkin (@funder) November 18, 2020
Tweet by a guy who fails to prove his claims in court where judges actually examine evidence, not spin. https://t.co/CjE2511K8r
— Glenn Kessler (@GlennKesslerWP) November 18, 2020
SHUT YOUR PUMPKIN LOOKING ASS UP
Pack Your Bags Sir
Moving Day Is Wednesday January 20th 2021
12PM SHARP https://t.co/mJr3I3KMZ4
— Marcus (@LilMarco20x) November 18, 2020
Trump's last day in office will be January 20th.
