Donald Trump was asked about whether he would allow for a peaceful certification of election results if Kamala Harris defeats him in three weeks, during an interview at the Economic Club of Chicago. Trump did not directly answer the question and instead blamed the interviewer for not being a fan of his. He also falsely claimed that he allowed for a peaceful transfer of power in 2020 when Joe Biden defeated him, despite the violent events of Jan. 6, 2021, which he described as “love and peace” with only a few people causing trouble.
During the interview, Trump downplayed the size of the crowd that gathered in Washington to protest the election results, claiming that only a fraction of the protestors were involved in the breach and defacement of the Capitol. He also pointed out that no one besides Ashli Babbitt was killed during the riot, despite at least seven people dying in connection with the event. Trump asserted that because no one had guns and the protestors were non-violent, he considered Jan. 6 to be a peaceful event, despite the chaos and violence that unfolded.
While the audience booed and challenged Trump’s characterization of Jan. 6 as peaceful, the former president insisted that he left the White House on the morning he was supposed to, and that the situation at the Capitol was not as violent as portrayed. He also alleged that some of the rioters were waved into the Capitol by police, suggesting that the events were not as chaotic as reported by the media. Trump’s remarks during the interview indicated a continued refusal to accept responsibility for his role in inciting the violence that occurred during the Capitol riot.
Despite the interviewer’s attempts to hold Trump accountable for his actions and statements regarding the transfer of power, the former president remained steadfast in his defense of the events of Jan. 6. He insisted that the protestors were peaceful and denied any responsibility for the violence that occurred, emphasizing that he believes there is room for disagreement on the characterization of the Capitol riot. Trump’s unwillingness to acknowledge the gravity of the events that took place underscores his continued defiance in the face of criticism and accountability for his actions as president.