Trump denies rumors about delayed election, says it's propaganda made up by Biden advisors
With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to ravage life in America, the Donald Trump administration has been caught firefighting. Amid the chaos, the opposition has predicted that the president could change the date of the general election which is now just over six months away. There were even debates whether the constitution would permit such a change. Trump, however, ended all speculation on Monday, April 27, saying he had never even thought about altering the election date.
Trump was asked by one reporter at his press conference at the White House whether the fear of the presumptive Democratic nominee, Joe Biden, that he could change the date could come true. To that, the Republican commander-in-chief, who is seeking re-election, said: “I never even thought of changing the date of the election. Why would I do that? Nov 3. It’s a good number. No, I look forward to that election.”
“I’m not thinking about it at all,” he added. “Not at all.”
Trump then took a dig at Biden’s advisors saying it was a propaganda that was made up by people around the Democratic candidate. He said Biden himself doesn’t make such statements but those around him. However, Trump did not forget to call his likely presidential opponent Biden “Sleepy Joe” - something he always does.
'Trump thinks only way he can win is by kicking back election'
It was only last week that Biden predicted Trump would try to delay the 2020 election. Speaking at a virtual fundraiser, he said a delaying tactic by Trump would not be surprising for he thinks that’s the only way he can win the election.
“Mark my words: I think he is going to try to kick back the election somehow; come up with some rationale why it can't be held. Imagine threatening not to fund the post office. Now, what in God's name is that about? Other than trying to let the word out that he's going to do all he can to make it very hard for people to vote. That's the only way he thinks he can possibly win,” the 77-year-old former vice president said.
A recent USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll has shown Biden gaining a six percentage point lead over Trump nationwide (44 percent to 38 percent). In December, too, Trump was leading by three points in the survey -- at a time when he was impeached by the House. The Democrats have started feeling positive that Trump’s controversial response strategy to the coronavirus crisis has boosted Biden’s electoral chances.
Meanwhile, the debate continues over the mechanism to conduct the election at a time when social distancing is a priority. Mail-in voting and absentee ballots are being preferred but while that raises questions whether all states have the capacity to conduct such a voting, Trump is not convinced because he believes such an arrangement could see fraudulence and harm the Republicans’ cause.
However, experts have cautioned that the results of this year’s election could be delayed by at least a week because of the COVID-19 pandemic.