During the contentious final presidential debate, moderator Chris Wallace asked the two candidates if they would accept the outcome of the election even if they lost. Donald Trump did not offer a straight answer to Wallace, simply saying he “will look at it at the time.”
Generally, during a presidential election, a candidate will concede to their opponent if they see there is no chance of coming out on top. It’s the adult thing to do. Unless there is a repeat of the 2000 election results, and we surely hope not, it would be assumed Hillary Clinton or Trump will accept the outcome of the election if they lost. The topic was brought up as Trump has been ramping up his rhetoric about this election being rigged. But Trump did not give a straight answer to Wallace’s question, saying he will keep the American public in suspense and proceeded to rant:
I will look at it at the time. I’m not looking anything now I will look at it at the time. What I’ve seen what I’ve seen it so bad. First of all the media is so dishonest and so corrupt and the pile on is so amazing that the New York Times actually wrote an article about it that they don’t even care.
Wallace himself seemed a bit perplexed by Trump’s answer, explaining to him accepting the outcome is a tradition and ensures a peaceful transition. Clinton was a bit more straightforward in her answer, even calling Trump’s response “horrifying.” Clinton criticized Trump for his comment saying its Trump’s MO to find a scapegoat if things don’t go his way, even pointing out he said the Emmys were rigged when The Apprentice didn’t win an award. Whatever the outcome of November is, we may be in store for a messy few months afterward.
