Donald Trump changed his speech the day after the Capitol riots to remove an admission of defeat in the election, a remarkable previously unseen video shows.
The former US President demanded the removal of the words “this election is now over” from his prepared address on January 7 last year.
New footage shows Trump stumbling over his words and holding back in his criticism of the mob that carried out the attack in Washington DC.
The MAGA rioters chanted “stop the steal” as they charged into the building, inspired by Trump’s false electoral fraud claims.
The shocking video of Trump refusing to accept defeat was played in front of the House Select Committee investigating the storming of the Capitol.
Delivering a message to his supporters, Trump said: "But this election is now over. Congress has now certified the results.”
He then stopped and said: "I don’t want to say the election’s over. I just want to say Congress has certified the results without saying the election’s over, okay?"
Trump also struggled to say the words “defiled” and “yesterday” during his speech.
The billionaire slammed the lectern as he said “defied” instead of “defiled” while criticising the actions of the mob.
He then cupped his hand over his eyes as he attempted to read the autocue.
He added: “It’s defiled right? See I can’t see it very well. Okay I’ll do this, I’m going to do this, let’s go."
He also asked for the word “yesterday” to be removed from the speech, saying it was a “hard word” for him.
Although the former President condemned the rioters in his speech, he also held back in his criticism.
He said: “To those who broke the law, you will pay. You do not represent our movement, you do not represent our country – and if you broke the law…”
Trump then paused and told the camera crew “I can’t say that, I already said you will pay”.
The Republican appeared annoyed and scrunched his face up throughout the video.
Off-camera, his daughter and then-senior White House adviser Ivanka Trump could be heard assisting him with other phrases to use.
The footage was shown near the end of the eighth and final scheduled public hearing by the House select committee investigating the insurrection.
The committee focused on what Trump did during the riot and argued he was derelict in his duties.
Trump ignored advisers as he spent hours watching the January 6 attack on the Capitol unfold on TV, a hearing was told.
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His children and other close advisers urged him to intervene and tell his supporters to stop the violence, witnesses said.
At the conclusion of the committee hearing, members said they would continue to gather information on the events on and around January 6 and will convene more hearings in September.
The onslaught on the Capitol led to several deaths, injured more than 140 police officers and delayed certification of Joe Biden's victory in the November 2020 election.
