Trump’s Victory Dance: Harris Campaign Warns of Manipulated Outcomes

WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign anticipates that former President Donald Trump will declare victory on election night, regardless of actual results, according to a senior campaign official on a Friday call with reporters.

The official suggested that Trump’s actions could mirror his 2020 election behavior, where he claimed victory amid uncertainty in key states. “This should be no surprise, because he lies all the time and wants to sow doubt about a loss that he anticipates is coming. He did this before. It failed,” the official stated.

Warnings from the Harris campaign fit into a broader narrative echoed by Democrats and democracy advocacy groups. Many have expressed concern over possible litigation from Trump’s allies should he lose, with seasoned election lawyers preparing to counter what they term “illegitimate” lawsuits.

“The pre-election election-denial litigation tsunami has begun,” commented Norm Eisen, an election lawyer involved in House Judiciary Committee proceedings during Trump’s first impeachment. George Conway, an anti-Trump Republican attorney, indicated that much of the legal action expected from the GOP would be more for show than substantive challenges.

Amid these preparations, the Harris campaign claims to have amassed a substantial number of legal resources. “We have literally thousands of pages of pleadings customized to particular states ready to address literally anything and everything that the Trump campaign throws at us,” the senior official noted.

In addition to legal issues, election experts, during a panel convened by Democracy Communications Collaborative and Issue One, voiced concerns about misinformation and potential violence at polling sites. Instances of ongoing threats surfaced in Colorado, where a criminal investigation is underway regarding fraudulent ballots, and related acts of vandalism were reported in Oregon and Washington.

The FBI also confirmed concerns about foreign interference, reporting activities by Russian actors aimed at undermining electoral integrity. Fake videos purporting to show illegal voting practices circulated online, contributing to heightened tensions around election security.

Nina Jankowicz, a disinformation expert, emphasized that misinformation is proliferating, especially across social media platforms, where safeguards appear diminished. “Musk’s purchase of X has made the platform a veritable firehose of election disinformation,” she remarked.

Despite the tumultuous climate, senior Harris campaign officials expressed optimism, citing internal polling suggesting positive trends among undecided voters. “Our internal data is telling us that we are winning battleground voters who have made up their minds in the last week,” a senior campaign member reported.

Both campaigns gear up for a final push before Election Day. Trump’s rallies in swing states, including Greensboro, North Carolina, and Las Vegas, are coupled with vigorous campaigning from Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who will make appearances in Arizona and Michigan.

As both candidates prepare for the concluding days of the campaign, they will focus their efforts on mobilizing voters in key battleground states, setting the stage for what promises to be a contested and closely watched election night.