Trump Pledges to Accept ‘Clear’ Election Results, But Reserves His ‘Right to Contest’

Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images

Less than a day after Donald Trump said he’d keep America in suspense about whether he’ll accept the results of the presidential election, he ended that suspense in a speech today.

“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,” he said.

Well, that’s halfway there.

Trump returned to the topic later in the speech, this time with a statement that sounded less dictator-like. “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,” he said.

From a reasonable person, that would be a reasonable statement. Coming from Trump, though, the definition of a “clear” election result is anything but.

Trump Pledges to Accept ‘Clear’ Election Results