As the 2024 US election looms, some of Donald Trump’s advisers have recommended that he declare victory prematurely on election night if he holds a significant lead in key battleground states like Pennsylvania. The rationale behind this advice is that if Trump leads by several hundred thousand votes, particularly in Pennsylvania, and internal polling supports his victory, he could claim victory even if all results aren’t fully confirmed yet.
However, this bold move is not without caution. Even some of Trump’s most loyal allies, including former White House strategist Steven Bannon, have suggested he hold off on such a declaration if the race is too close when he goes to bed. The concern is that prematurely calling the race might backfire and make Trump appear foolish if the results ultimately turn out differently.
The Stakes for Trump’s Campaign
Trump’s campaign has raised expectations among his supporters, positioning him as the likely winner and setting the stage for claims of a stolen election if he loses to Kamala Harris and the Democrats. If he were to declare victory early, it could fuel these unfounded accusations and spark controversy.
Despite this, Trump’s advisers acknowledge that if he chooses to declare himself the winner, he will likely do so without much resistance from his team. This underscores a growing trend in Trump’s political career—his willingness to break from traditional presidential norms, which he has done before, especially after the 2020 election.
What’s at Stake for the Harris Campaign
Trump’s plan to prematurely declare victory would not come as a surprise to the Harris campaign, who are preparing for the possibility. In the 2020 election, Trump did the same, making an early declaration despite many votes still being counted.
This time, however, Trump has been quieter about his intentions leading up to election night. Unlike the 2020 election, when he clearly expressed his intent to declare victory regardless of the results, Trump has dodged questions on the matter this time around.
Trump’s Election Night Plans
On election night, Trump plans to watch the results at a private watch party at his Mar-a-Lago club, surrounded by close friends, family, and donors. This private event is set to start earlier, and Trump is expected to project a winning narrative to his guests. Meanwhile, the official campaign watch party will take place at a nearby convention center in West Palm Beach, Florida.
It remains unclear whether Trump will make an appearance at the convention center or choose to double down on any victory claim from Mar-a-Lago. If he opts to announce victory, aides suggest he could motorcade from his private event to the public one. If not, Trump may decide to stay at Mar-a-Lago without addressing the public event at all.