Donald Trump recording reveals unpublished request, sparks controversy

In a new attempt to remain in power at all costs despite the loss of the elections, the outgoing president of United States Donald Trump has called on Georgian Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to “seek” the votes necessary to overturn President-elect Democrat Joe Biden’s victory in this district, reported The Washington Post“I want you to seek 11,780 votes,” Trump asked the state official, according to audio clips of a more than hour-long dialogue between the president and Raffensperger, Georgia’s top electoral authority and who , like the tycoon, belongs to the Republican Party. .

In the conversation, posted on the Post’s website, Trump complimented Raffensperger and then begged him to act and, given his refusal, threatened to bring him to justice and press charges against him, at the same time. time he had warned him. that he was taking a “great risk” by not accepting their demands.

“The Georgian people are angry, the people of the country are angry (…) And there is nothing wrong with saying, you know? I think your math has failed you, ”Trump said in a recording. In response, Raffensperger replied, “Well, Mr. President, the challenge you have is that your data is fake.”

At another point in the conversation, Trump was more direct, saying, “Look, what I want is for you to search for the 11,780 votes, which is one more than what we have, because we have won this state ”. Trump used that number because Biden beat him by 11,779 votes in the southern state of Georgia, which contributes 16 votes to the Electoral College, the body responsible for electing the US president.

In December, Georgian authorities certified Biden’s victory and for weeks they had to endure the pressure from the president, that he does not admit his defeat by alleging without proof that there was fraud.

Trump has filed dozens of unsuccessful court suits challenging the result without evidence in several key states where Biden won, and also pressured state officials, including Georgia, to manipulate the citizens’ vote.

Trump has remained firm in his election challenge and hopes to reverse the result on Jan.6, when both houses of Congress meet to ratify Biden’s victory, in a symbolic move that has gained prominence by the president’s opposition.

Source: AFP