Trump Insists He Has Big Lead Over Harris, Setting Stage for 2024 Doubts

  • Trump, allies spin up alternate reality of a sizable lead
  • Expectations to stoke anger if Harris wins coin-flip election

In reality, most polls have the candidates essentially tied, with some models showing a slight Trump advantage. 

Photographer: Cornell Watson/Bloomberg
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Donald Trump and his allies are telling supporters that they’re on pace for a runaway victory barring fraud — setting the stage for outrage and legal challenges if the election doesn’t break in favor of Republicans.

The Republican nominee’s efforts have ramped up in rally speeches since early voting began. By conflating polls and early-voting data, Trump is painting a reality for his faithful where he’s got a clear lead and is on track for a resounding victory over Vice President Kamala Harris that only malfeasance can derail.