Riot Ready: A Pre-Election Comedy of Errors
Readiness for ‘riot’… A very tense shopping district
On the 4th, a day before voting day for the U.S. presidential election, workers are installing protective shields with wooden planks at a building near the White House in Washington to prevent possible violence. Who knew that shopping districts needed fortification, eh? Someone should tell the mall cops this is ‘the real Black Friday’.
Now, about the former President—good ol’ Donald Trump—who seems to have taken up the role of the leading actor in this political drama. It’s as if every time he loses, he just crumples the script up in frustration and shouts about “non-citizens” and “machine manipulation.” Apparently, the guy doesn’t just have a knack for real estate—he’s also trying his hand at fiction! According to reports, he’s already plotting his next act, alleging that there are more non-citizens on voter lists than in a dad joke convention.
Of course, the Republican National Committee (RNC) is right there with him in the wings, filing lawsuits like it’s a game of legal whack-a-mole—popping up in different states claiming voter roll mishaps. But here’s the punchline: studies suggest that non-citizen voting is about as common as finding a decent WiFi signal in a cave. I mean, honestly, the last time I saw someone vote illegally, it was during a game of Monopoly, and even then, it was just Aunt Mabel trying to cheat her way to Boardwalk!
Now, Trump’s final shout-out before this electoral circus kicked off raised eyebrows. He declared, *“They (Democrats) will spend all this money on (voting) machines and say it may take 12 more days for the vote counting results to come out.”* Sounds like a classic attempt at misdirection. Because if there’s one thing we know, it’s that conspiracy theories are like a bad stand-up set—overly drawn out, awkward, and somehow still finds an audience.
Let’s not forget how he ominously stated, *“What do you think will happen in those 12 days?”* Well, with that kind of prediction, he might as well sell tickets to the “Election Nightmare Tour.” The suspense! The intrigue! Will he finally find a conspiracy theory that fits?!
And what’s this I hear? The Washington Post chiming in to debunk his claims, saying that votes were—gasp—*manually checked*! How quaint! We’ve moved from *voting machines* to *trustworthy humans*. I’d say it feels a bit like having a reliable friend check your fridge when you’re too scared to open it: you want to believe it, but still…
Meanwhile, as if our collective stress levels weren’t high enough, surveys report that American voters are feeling the heat. Interviews with voters reveal a plethora of worries, from the impending doom of political polarization to the terrifying thought of being trampled by angry mobs—not unlike a Black Friday at a big-box retailer.
And who’s feeling this tension the most? Well, it turns out that VP Kamala Harris’s supporters are sharing the dramatic flair. Post-2020, with the echoes of January 6 still ringing in our ears, there’s real concern about a sequel that nobody wants to see. And if you thought Trump supporters were sitting this one out, think again: a striking 64% of them fear that Democrats are planning a wrestling match on the steps of Capitol Hill. It’s a battle of whose supporters can riot better—classic political civility!
As the poll results roll in, let’s take a moment to sit down with a nice cup of political anxiety. A staggering 74% reckon violence might not just be a flash in the pan—it might be here to stay post-election. And 56% think this wild ride could be the end of American democracy. If that’s not a cliffhanger, I don’t know what is! What’s next—a real-life game of ‘Survivor: Democracy Edition’? Whoever’s left standing gets to pick the next candidate!
In conclusion, folks, it feels like we’re all being cast in this tragicomedy where the stakes are high, everyone’s a critic, and the reviews might just call it “failure to launch.” So, grab your popcorn—this show is just getting started!
Claims surrounding “non-citizens voting” and allegations of “machine manipulation” are intensifying, effectively ‘paving the way’ for potential electoral disputes.
Concerns are mounting over the possibility of riots, with a significant majority of voters expressing fears that this election could mark “the end of American democracy.”
Readiness for ‘riot’… A very tense shopping district On the 4th, the eve of the U.S. presidential election scheduled for the following day, workers are diligently installing protective shields with wooden planks at buildings in close proximity to the White House in Washington, D.C., in a precautionary measure against potential violence. AFP Yonhap News
Former President Donald Trump, outspoken in his criticisms during the previous electoral cycle in 2020, is actively laying the groundwork to challenge the election results should he face defeat, citing alleged election fraud orchestrated by the Democratic Party even before voters head to the polls on the 5th (local time).
The British daily Guardian reported on the 4th that Trump, now the Republican presidential candidate, may attempt to contest the election results by asserting that “there are many non-citizens on the voter list.” This claim alleges that non-citizen immigrants have unlawfully registered to vote through methods involving identity theft and document manipulation. Furthermore, the Republican National Committee (RNC) has initiated lawsuits against several states, asserting that each state government has failed to maintain accurate voter rolls.
However, the Guardian pointed out that various studies have consistently demonstrated that occurrences of non-citizens voting remain extremely rare.
In his final speech before the election held in Rites, Pennsylvania on the 3rd, Trump posed an alarming question: “They (Democrats) will spend all this money on (voting) machines and say it may take 12 more days for the vote counting results to come out. What do you think will happen in those 12 days?” This theory suggests that the Democratic Party could exploit this time frame to manipulate the presidential election results. Notably, he claimed on his platform TruthSocial last month, “I caught a huge fraud taking place in Pennsylvania.” This state is particularly critical as it boasts the largest number of electoral votes (19) among the key battleground states. Trump’s team further amplified suspicions concerning alleged manipulation and hacking of vote-counting machines, specifically blaming Dominion Election Systems for purportedly altering votes cast in his favor.
Nevertheless, the Washington Post has reported that Trump’s assertions lack credibility, having clarified that ballots were subjected to additional manual verification in areas where voting machines were utilized.
Major media outlets such as The New York Times (NYT) and Reuters have indicated a pervasive sense of extreme election-related anxiety among American voters. Factors driving this unrest include profound political polarization and widespread fears surrounding electoral violence. Following a recent survey of 50 voters across seven battleground states, Reuters reported on the 4th that a significant number expressed dissatisfaction with the electoral process.
This apprehension was particularly pronounced among supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris, with memories of former President Trump’s post-2020 election claims of “election fraud” loomed large, raising alarms about the possibility of a repeat of the January 6 occupation of Congress. The prevailing atmosphere of distrust was underscored by statistics showing that 64% of Republican supporters also feared violent reprisals from Democratic supporters, albeit to varying extents.
As the post-election landscape looms, a staggering 74% of respondents anticipate that violence may persist, while an alarming 56% believe that this election could signify the dissolution of American democracy.
**Interview: Tackling Election Anxiety with Political Analyst, Dr. Marie Thompson**
**Host:** Welcome, Dr. Thompson! With the U.S. presidential election just around the corner, there seem to be growing concerns about potential unrest and voter intimidation. What’s your take on the overall atmosphere as we approach Election Day?
**Dr. Thompson:** Thank you for having me! The atmosphere is indeed tense. We’ve seen protective shields going up in various places, especially near high-profile locations like the White House. This level of precaution suggests that many people are bracing for the worst, fearing that the election could lead to significant unrest.
**Host:** Absolutely, and it seems former President Trump is stirring the pot, alleging massive voter fraud and talking about non-citizens meddling in the election. How do you see this impacting the narrative leading into the election?
**Dr. Thompson:** Trump’s claims are not new; he’s been vocal about alleged voter fraud since 2020. His rhetoric this election cycle is likely intended to galvanize his base while preparing to contest the results if they don’t go his way. It’s a strategy that both riles up support and creates a narrative of suspicion around the electoral process.
**Host:** There are reports stating that studies indicate non-citizen voting is exceptionally rare. How do you think that disconnect affects public perception?
**Dr. Thompson:** The disconnect is crucial. While data shows non-citizen voting is minimal, Trump’s assertions thrive on fear and distrust among voters. When people feel uncertain about the integrity of their elections, it can lead to widespread anxiety. This misinformation contributes to an environment where people feel justified in their fears, even if they are unfounded.
**Host:** Speaking of fear, surveys indicate that a majority of American voters fear potential violence surrounding the election. How do you think that sentiment could manifest?
**Dr. Thompson:** Those fears are valid, especially considering the political polarization we’ve witnessed recently. We could see various forms of unrest, whether it’s protests or, at its worst, violent confrontations. The worry that some supporters might take to the streets reflects a broader concern about the fate of our democratic process—and when the stakes feel that high, people may act out of heightened emotions.
**Host:** Indeed it’s unsettling. Lastly, with the current sentiment that violence might “stick around” post-election, what can we do to foster a healthier political discourse going forward?
**Dr. Thompson:** It starts with promoting open dialogues and educating the public on electoral processes and facts versus myths surrounding voting. Transparency from officials is critical, and media outlets have a role in framing discussions responsibly. We also need to remember that the majority of Americans want peaceful transitions and a functioning democracy, so focusing on common ground can help alleviate some of this tension.
**Host:** Thank you, Dr. Thompson, for shedding light on this critical issue. Let’s hope for a peaceful and fair electoral process ahead.
**Dr. Thompson:** Thank you for having me! Let’s all keep the faith in our democratic institutions.
