What Trump Will Do When He Loses the Election

Published by PolisPandit on October 28, 2020October 28, 2020

We used to joke about whether President Donald J. Trump would actually leave office should he lose the 2020 election.  Now that the moment of truth is merely days away, the reality of Trump not leaving grows more troubling by the moment.  He has refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he loses.  Would the military storm the White House and forcibly remove him if called upon?  Could American democracy survive a constitutional crisis of this magnitude?  

If there is a protracted vote count and/or recount, with both sides disputing the results, what will happen on January 20, 2021 when the terms of both the President and Vice President end under the 20th Amendment?  In that scenario, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi might actually be in line to assume the Presidency under the Presidential Succession Act.  But would order reign supreme, allowing that to happen?  The potential outcomes terrify me.  

But let us assume the election plays out as most polls expect – contrary to what happened in 2016 – and Trump loses gracefully (hey, anything is possible).  Enough people have analyzed what might happen if Trump won’t leave.  In the event, however, he loses and actually concedes to President Joe Biden, what will he do with himself?  Will he return to New York City and Trump Tower after depicting the city as an “anarchist jurisdiction”?  What does the future hold for Donald Trump?  Let me tell you. 

He Will Run Again.   

Hate to say it, friends, but it is almost certain.  Trump is “only” 74 years old, while Biden is about to turn 78 in November.  In four years, Trump will be Biden’s age now.  Moreover, he abstains from alcohol and doesn’t smoke.  He may be overweight, but it’s safe to assume that with some of the best medical care in the world at his disposal, he will be ready, willing, and able in four years.

Most importantly, the Republicans need him.  Trump is the party.  I previously described why I am no longer a Republican, and it is largely because the party sold out to Trumpism and the MAGA base.  The GOP has no viable candidates – aside from maybe Ivanka or Don Jr. – capable of carrying the torch, which comes equipped with racist dog whistles and all.  You think Vice President Mike Pence has the gravitas to lead the Republicans into the future?  

In order to inspire their base of aging white men with racist tendencies, the party needs a Donald Trump clone.  Until that person appears, the party will be stuck with “The Donald.”  They may have to redeploy the Obama era stall tactics of do nothing government for four years while a Biden administration attempts to govern.  In that time Trump will have likely recharged and positioned himself to reenergize the base.  Don’t worry, everyone.  He will continue tweeting the entire time.

There is even historical precedent for this occurring.  President Grover Cleveland is the only President to leave the White House and return four years later.  Trump might be number two come 2024.   

Trump TV Will Be a Thing. 

What better way to grab headlines than by making them yourself.  To succeed in his 2024 campaign, Trump will need to attract the attention of his base for four years straight.  Bring on “Apprentice 2.0”, now called Trump TV.  This reality show channel will star all things Trump and lambaste the “fake news” media and anyone who doesn’t subscribe. 

Even if he doesn’t start his own network or online media company, he may join the cast of “Fox & Friends”, host his own segment on Breitbart, or appear nightly somewhere on the conservative media circuit.  The point is – not only does the Republican party need Trump, conservative media does too.  Their entire infrastructure is built around him and his base.  They crafted their message from the minute Trump announced his 2016 campaign and declared that Mexican immigrants were “bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime, they’re rapists, and some, I assume, are good people.”  It was as if conservative media finally received permission to more overtly address what they had been thinking and feeling for years.  

The core remaining base of the Republican party has eyeballs to offer someone.  Trump will capitalize on this demand by supplying the world with a channel that celebrates dictators, criticizes democratic institutions, and preaches messages about immigrants and citizens alike with racist undertones.  The only question is how he will capitalize on it.  Even in defeat, he will hold a powerful position not only politically within his party, but in the eyes of conservative media subscribers.  

He Will Prep Ivanka and Don Jr. For Future Presidential Runs.

As mentioned, there is literally no Republican successor in line to replace Trump apart from members of his own family.  Some people might make the case for Senator Josh Hawley from Missouri or Senator Tom Cotton from Arkansas, but these white guys are too prim and proper for the moral depravity required to lead Trump’s people.  Washed up candidates like “Little” Marco Rubio and “Lyin’” Ted Cruz have no future, while moderates like John Kasich belong to a different era.  There is nobody to save the Grand Old Party from itself.

Which is why Trump, in typical dictatorial fashion, will insert his children as his successors.  If for whatever reason he does not rerun for President, rest assured he will do everything in his power to ensure his family carries on tradition.  He is incapable of going away.  So unfortunately, even if and when he does lose on November 3rd, that will not be the end of Trump and Trumpism.  It will only be the beginning of another chapter.