Trump Amplifies Baseless ‘Coup’ Claims to Undermine Kamala Harris’s Presidential Bid
As Vice President Kamala Harris emerged as the Democratic presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump intensified efforts to delegitimize her candidacy. Trump, who has a history of casting doubt on election integrity, has recently escalated his rhetoric, falsely framing Harris’s nomination as a “coup” rather than a legitimate political process. This tactic mirrors Trump’s previous attempts to erode confidence in the U.S. electoral system, raising concerns among political and national security experts.
At a recent rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Trump claimed, “This was an overthrow of a president. This was an overthrow… This was a coup.” His remarks are part of a broader strategy to paint the upcoming election as “rigged” against him, according to The Washington Post. Trump’s repeated use of such incendiary language is seen by experts as laying the groundwork for contesting the election results should he lose, potentially igniting another tumultuous post-election period similar to 2020.
Elizabeth Neumann, a former senior official at the Department of Homeland Security under Trump, noted, “This is Donald Trump’s playbook: ‘There’s a deep state, they’re all out to get me.’” Neumann, now a critic of Trump, emphasized that while some of this rhetoric might be “just for show,” it also sets the stage for what she calls the “next version of ‘Stop the Steal.’” This reference is to the movement that falsely claimed widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election and led to the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Trump’s strategy also includes casting doubt on Harris’s integrity, attacking her racial identity, and making baseless accusations about her campaign practices. Recently, Trump falsely accused Harris of using artificial intelligence to manipulate a campaign rally photo, claiming it was an attempt to inflate crowd size. He went so far as to call for her disqualification from the race, labeling the supposed photo manipulation as “ELECTION INTERFERENCE.”
In a statement, Trump’s campaign reiterated their confidence in winning the election while doubling down on characterizing Harris’s nomination as a “coup.” Trump’s persistence in pushing this narrative is particularly concerning to extremism experts, who warn that such language could energize his most fervent supporters in potentially dangerous ways.
Supporters at Trump’s rallies have echoed these sentiments, expressing beliefs that the Democratic Party orchestrated a coup to position Harris as their nominee. This notion feeds into broader conspiracy theories that falsely claim the Democratic Party bypassed proper protocol to nominate Harris. Despite these unfounded allegations, the reality is that Biden’s withdrawal allowed the Democratic delegates, chosen by primary voters, to select Harris as his replacement.
Experts warn that Trump’s rhetoric could inflame tensions among his base, drawing parallels to the events leading up to the Capitol insurrection. Joe Walsh, a former GOP congressman and critic of Trump, observed that the coup narrative is resonating strongly within Trump’s MAGA base. “They’re latching on to this, that what the Democrats just did, that’s a coup,” Walsh said, adding that this belief is becoming a key part of Trump’s strategy to counter the ongoing legal challenges he faces related to the 2020 election.
On far-right online forums, Trump supporters continue to share their views, often infusing their messages with references to battle and pledges of unwavering loyalty. However, many stop short of explicitly calling for violence, reflecting a mix of confusion and anger about Trump’s chances in the upcoming election.
Kieran Doyle, North America research manager for Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, noted that the political landscape has become increasingly volatile. “National politics has been more or less upended in the past month,” Doyle said, pointing to Trump’s continued narrative of a “corrupted system” attempting to block his return to power.
As the 2024 election draws nearer, Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric and unfounded accusations continue to pose a significant challenge to the stability of the electoral process. The potential for unrest remains a pressing concern, with experts urging vigilance as the campaign progresses.
