Look who’s talking.
Stacey Abrams, the controversial Democrat from Georgia, made waves again this week during an interview on MSNBC, downplaying President Donald Trump’s victory in the 2016 election. Abrams claimed that Trump’s win was not a “seismic shift” in American politics, arguing that it was not a mandate from the people. “Yes, Donald Trump won, but it wasn’t a landslide,” she stated, suggesting the nation remained divided and that Trump’s victory didn’t represent a clear majority. According to Abrams, Trump’s win did not reflect the overwhelming consensus of the American electorate, despite the fact that Trump captured both the popular vote and the Electoral College.
This revisionist take from Abrams comes despite Trump’s sweeping success in both battleground states and traditionally blue areas, securing a broad national coalition that extended far beyond his base. Trump’s second presidential victory was marked by significant gains for Republicans in both the House and Senate. His appeal grew even in Democratic strongholds, defying expectations and demonstrating a major shift in the political landscape. Trump’s victory was widely seen as a decisive mandate by millions of Americans frustrated with the economy, illegal immigration, and a dysfunctional political system.
In a further attempt to downplay Trump’s triumph, Abrams claimed that less than half of voters wanted Trump to win, despite the fact that he secured 49.9% of the national vote, according to the Associated Press. This rhetoric ignores the reality of Trump’s broad, cross-party appeal and his ability to unite a diverse coalition of working-class voters, conservatives, and independents.
Abrams’ comments on MSNBC also included reflections on the late President Jimmy Carter’s legacy, urging Democrats to embrace “decency” in politics. Yet, her own record remains tainted by her refusal to concede the 2018 Georgia gubernatorial race to Republican Brian Kemp, despite losing by 60,000 votes. In a move that raised eyebrows across the country, Abrams suggested that Kemp had manipulated the election process in his role as Secretary of State, but failed to provide any conclusive evidence.
Abrams has continued to shape her career around the issue of election reform, though she remains a polarizing figure. Her rhetoric now focuses on the idea that “decency” should be the guiding force in politics, but many conservatives view her actions and statements as hypocritical, especially given her refusal to accept her own electoral defeats. For those of us who value honesty and respect for the democratic process, her continued denial of the 2018 results leaves much to be desired.