Donald Trump told his supporters Thursday that he will accept the results of next month’s election, but only if he wins, the New York Times reports.
During the Donald Trump vs. Hillary Clinton final presidential debate on Wednesday night, the GOP candidate sparked controversy and outrage when he said that he might not accept the results of next month’s election.
Donald Trump said he’ll only accept the presidential election results “if I win” https://t.co/uIrrmwoqYa
— Salon (@Salon) October 21, 2016
In his first speech since the third and final debate against Clinton, Trump sounded as if he was going to take his controversial statement back until he delivered his caveat.
“I would like to promise and pledge to all of my voters and supporters and to all of the people of the United States that I will totally accept the results of this great and historic presidential election if I win,” Donald said.
Trump said numerous times in the past that he believes the 2016 presidential election results next month will be rigged, even though he hasn’t offered any convincing evidence to support his claim.
Donald then said that he would accept a “clean election result” but made it clear that he reserves the right to “file a legal challenge” if the results turn out to be questionable.
“Of course, I would accept a clear election result, but I would also reserve my right to contest or file a legal challenge in the case of a questionable result,” Trump said. “And always, I will follow and abide by all of the rules and traditions of all of the many candidates who have come before me. Always.”
His running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, reiterated Trump’s statements while giving a talk in Reno, Nevada.
“Of course, we will accept a clear election result, but we also reserve the right to contest or file a legal challenge in the case of questionable results,” Pence said.
Numerous critics have spoken out their condemnation of Trump’s statements. The Reverend Jesse Jackson, a civil rights leader and Democratic Party member, told Al Jazeera that the Republican candidate’s unwillingness to accept the election results could “sabotage the entire American process.”
“The biggest issue [from the debate] is his unwillingness to accept the outcome of the election. That could sabotage the entire American process.”
Donald Trump’s poll results have recently gotten more dismal as the campaign season winds down. If there’s any other indication that his 2016 presidential campaign has taken a nosedive, it was the way Trump was booed at the annual Alfred E. Smith fundraiser in New York on Thursday, as reported by Guardian .
WATCH: Donald Trump booed at annual Alfred E. Smith charity dinner: https://t.co/NRmli8lLUW https://t.co/b30OGsbVkZ
— Good Morning America (@GMA) October 21, 2016
It started out swimmingly. In fact, Trump even earned some laughs from the crowd when he delivered his speech at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. It all went downhill when he started attacking Hillary Clinton, as he got booed and jeered by the audience.
Watch Donald Trump get booed while awkwardly roasting Hillary Clinton at Al Smith dinner https://t.co/KUpok6SyFQ pic.twitter.com/PtSLbP5bf6
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) October 21, 2016
“Hillary believes it’s vital to deceive the people by having one public policy and a totally different policy in private,” Trump said in his speech, reminding the crowd about the emails that were illegally published on WikiLeaks.
“That’s okay,” Donald said after hearing the boos.
“I don’t know who they’re angry at, Hillary, you or I?” Trump asked.
“You!” someone screamed from the crowd.
Trump continued by telling the crowd that Clinton is once again “pretending not to hate Catholics.”
The non-partisan charity event has gained a reputation for its white-tie atmosphere, but this year the atmosphere was anything but, considering the animosity between Trump and Clinton.
After being introduced, Trump and Clinton went into their seats on the dais but didn’t acknowledge each other’s presence.
Hillary threw some barbs at Trump herself when he delivered her speech.
“It’s amazing I’m up here after Donald. I didn’t think he’d be OK with a peaceful transition of power,” Clinton said. “After listening to your speech I will also enjoy listening to Mike Pence deny you ever gave it.”
[Featured Image by Evan Vucci/AP Images]
