In a breaking development, a recording of a phone call allegedly made by Donald Trump in November 2020 has surfaced, shedding light on yet another attempt to pressure local election officials. According to reports from The Detroit News, the phone call took place on November 17, 2020, just two weeks after Trump had lost the presidential election in Michigan by a significant margin of over 100,000 votes.
Though the recording has not been heard by all, it reportedly captures then-President Trump personally pressuring two Republican members of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers not to sign the certification of the election. The conversation allegedly involved Trump arguing and contending with the officials, emphasizing that they would appear unfavorable if they chose to sign the certification.
Regarding the allegations made, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign responded by stating that all the former president's actions were carried out in his capacity as the head of the nation and in the pursuit of upholding election integrity. However, it is important to note that neither the 2020 election nor subsequent investigations found any evidence of rigging or theft.
The call is said to have also included RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, who allegedly joined Trump in urging the officials not to sign the certification and promised to provide legal support if needed. McDaniel has since responded, reiterating her previous stance that an audit was warranted based on the available evidence.
This latest revelation adds to the mounting evidence suggesting that Trump was unwilling to accept his defeat and was actively engaged in attempting to overturn the election results. While some insiders claim that Trump had briefly acknowledged his loss following Election Day, it soon became clear that he was determined to halt the transfer of power.
The recent phone call aligns with similar documented instances, such as the well-known conversation between Trump and Georgia's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Although the recording has not been heard by everyone, it is anticipated that it will be reviewed by Jack Smith, the special counsel in charge of investigating Trump's actions.
While this development may not dramatically alter the legal troubles already facing the former president, it contributes to the growing body of evidence against him. Furthermore, the promise of legal protection made by Trump and McDaniel to the canvassers raises questions about the extent to which they were aware of the potentially unlawful nature of their actions.
The involvement of Ronna McDaniel, as the head of the Republican National Committee at the time, in a conversation with local officials also underscores her connection to various investigations surrounding the events leading up to the Capitol attack on January 6, 2021.
As more details emerge, it becomes increasingly evident that this latest recording adds to the weight of allegations against Donald Trump and provides further insight into his mindset during a critical period in American politics.
