Democrats are preparing a swift response plan to counter any premature declaration of victory by Donald Trump. According to officials from Kamala Harris’s campaign and the Democratic Party, if Trump claims victory on Election Day before all votes are counted—similar to his actions in 2020—they are ready to launch a widespread campaign calling for patience and emphasizing the importance of a full vote count.
Earlier this week, the Republican candidate expressed his hope to announce a win on Election Day. However, election experts have noted that the final results may take days, especially if key regions call for recounts. Trump is in a close race against Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.
In the U.S., election results are typically announced by major media outlets after they analyze vote counts from election officials. While candidates sometimes make early victory claims, it is rare unless a win appears evident.
“We’re prepared if he tries to manipulate the press or the public consensus. If he does, we are ready to respond,” Harris told ABC on Wednesday.
Although Harris did not share specific details, six Democratic Party and campaign officials confirmed that the initial response would target public opinion. Their plan includes a strong presence on social media and television, urging that all votes be counted before any victory is declared.
“As soon as he (Trump) falsely claims victory, we’ll be on TV to set the record straight and mobilize a broad network to counter him,” a top Democratic National Committee official stated.
In a call with reporters, a senior Harris campaign official expressed confidence that Trump would attempt a premature victory claim on Tuesday, though not all votes will have been counted. “He did this before, and it failed. If he tries it again, it will fail,” the official remarked.
In the 2020 election, Trump declared victory in the early hours following Election Day, several days before networks called the race. Despite losing to Joe Biden, he has continually insisted the results were fraudulent.
Steve Bannon, a key Trump supporter, urged Trump to announce a win quickly. “He should stand up and say, ‘Hey, I’ve won this,'” Bannon told a New York Times reporter after his release from federal prison, where he served time for defying congressional subpoenas related to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol incident.
Trump’s campaign confirmed that the candidate would fight for all votes until polls close, though they did not comment directly on any intention to declare victory before results are finalized.
Bill Bean, a Trump donor occasionally critical of the former president, told Reuters he hopes for a clear win for either Harris or Trump to ensure broader acceptance of the results.
A Different Response From Republicans This Time?
In 2020, Trump’s early declaration of victory was widely condemned by Democrats and some prominent Republicans, while the stock market remained stable. However, the situation might be different this year.
Since 2020, Trump has solidified his influence within the Republican Party, which may lead more conservative leaders to back his claims, say political analysts.
“We’ve seen clear evidence that he controls the party, and little sign that party officials or elected representatives would resist his narrative,” commented Chip Felkel, a veteran Republican strategist critical of Trump.
Trump and his allies have spent months questioning election integrity, claiming that non-citizens could support the Democratic Party, and assembling a team of lawyers ready to challenge results in court if necessary. At rallies, Trump frequently tells supporters that they must win by a large margin to prevent any possible interference.
