After a brutal day at the US Capitol yesterday, after which four people died and Capitol security and Senate/House chambers were breached by insurrectionists and supporters of Donald Trump, Trump promised there would be an orderly transition of power to Presidential election victor Joe Biden.
In very nearly the same breath, Trump declared his one term as President had been the "greatest first term" in history.
...fight to ensure that only legal votes were counted. While this represents the end of the greatest first term in… https://t.co/tQXXetwWpu— Dan Scavino🇺🇸🦅 (@Dan Scavino🇺🇸🦅) 1610009361.0
People across the board are responding to say, "hmmm...not quite."
@ddale8 While continuing his lies about the election not being free or fair, lies about votes being fraudulent, and… https://t.co/gamCgeMnS8— Editra Lin (@Editra Lin) 1610009784.0
"represents the end of the greatest first term in presidential history" Does it though? Was it the greatest? https://t.co/KeakrdZLHw— gem✨ (@gem✨) 1610010957.0
@ddale8 The greatest first term in presidential history? We have our first domestic terrorist atta j, a suicide bom… https://t.co/IYyV1HaZVw— Impeach Trump❄️ (@Impeach Trump❄️) 1610017599.0
For the record, anyone claiming "the greatest first term in history" has *obviously* never listened to "James K Pol… https://t.co/RhzwYL4OHQ— Mike Nelson (@Mike Nelson) 1610011151.0
Trump's first term included such "wins" as 400,000 American people dead of a surging virus; withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, and the highest hate crime rates in the USA in more than a decade.
@DetHippieChick Even when he's conceding, he still adds a bit of his usual BS. "Greatest first term in presidential… https://t.co/XLFLZd2lWu— Lucas Nørskov Hansen (@Lucas Nørskov Hansen) 1610010546.0
“the greatest first term in American history” 350,000 people died this year, you ghoul https://t.co/JdRRWR9iUz— Claire Willett (@Claire Willett) 1610010257.0
@ddale8 he just can't quit. "The Greatest First Term in Presidential History" ... you were impeached, lost the ele… https://t.co/ptChS7NIl1— Miss Construed (No Lists!) 💉💉 (@Miss Construed (No Lists!) 💉💉) 1610009929.0
THE GREATEST FIRST TERM EVER? 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂— lalah hathaway (@lalah hathaway) 1610009670.0
@cnnbrk “The greatest first term”. I’m having trouble breathing after snorting my coffee.— always look at the other side (@always look at the other side) 1610010138.0
Trump's refusal to concede the election has been ongoing with no signs of opening up to real concession.
While some are reading this most recent statement as a concession speech, the more cautious among them are noticing his deliberate choice of words.
@DanScavino "The greatest first term in presidential history"????? How in the world can anyone self-assess that kin… https://t.co/h4s7SQz9IG— RaiseTheBar (@RaiseTheBar) 1610061393.0
Omg trump just released a statement saying there’d be an orderly transition on 1/20 and that this represents the en… https://t.co/tncQhEWljQ— Teddi (call me Ted or Teds) 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️👭 (@Teddi (call me Ted or Teds) 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️👭) 1610009664.0
This does not read as a concession. And the reference to “greatest FIRST term...only the BEGINNING of our fight” so… https://t.co/XQHADIXRcr— Jeff Yang (@Jeff Yang) 1610011682.0
@TrumperWavin @martingeddes i’m confused by all of this because, if i remember correctly, reading his statement, he… https://t.co/k8FWJcNBog— 0qulus (@0qulus) 1610050709.0
I wanna hear him say, "Joe Biden won, I concede." I didn't hear a concession. I heard obfuscation & slippery, pse… https://t.co/af9Hg8JgOc— Bat-tech Rider (not a doc) Doc McVinny (@Bat-tech Rider (not a doc) Doc McVinny) 1610032648.0
Trump's rhetoric has already incited violent insurrection leading to five deaths, including a Capitol police officer.
What will be the long-term consequences if his supporters hang onto the idea he was the best President of their lifetime and his lies about winning an election he overwhelmingly lost?