Donald Trump speaks at the White House (photo: public domain)
“People can’t get to the polls. It’s a national emergency. Right?” Trump was quoted as saying. Mark Meadows, then the White House chief of staff, stepped up to say that that was not a constitutional possibility, Wolff wrote.
But Trump seemed unconvinced. “I’m sure there might be a way, but … well …” he said, according to Wolff.
Trump again raised the idea a few days later at a debate-preparation session in Bedminster, New Jersey, with Chris Christie, according to Wolff.
“I’m thinking about calling it off,” Trump told Christie, the book says.
According to Wolff, Christie then told him, “You can’t do that, man,” adding: “You do know, you can’t declare martial law. You do know that, right?”
A spokesperson for Trump denied the stories via Twitter.
Trump was reportedly considering using the #COVID19 pandemic as an excuse to postpone the 2020 presidential election — once again showing how far in advance he was planning to disrupt the election to maintain his grip on power. https://t.co/d6HPcMTsKU
— Caroline Orr Bueno, Ph.D (@RVAwonk) July 7, 2021