Almost exactly 12 hours after his Twitter account was suspended for 12 hours (with the caveat that a permanent suspension would follow if he did not follow twitter’s terms of service), Trump returned to his favorite social network and in a 2:41 min video condemned Wednesday’s Capitol riots while effectively conceding, saying that he would focus on ensuring a smooth transition to the Biden administration and that “a new administration will be inaugurated on Jan 20.”
Trump began by saying he was “outraged by the violence, lawlessness and mayhem” in the “heinous attack on the Capitol.” Saying that “the demonstrations who infiltrated the Capitol have defiled the seat of American democracy” he slammed “those who engaged in the acts of violence and destruction” saying they “do not represent our country. And to those who broke the law, you will pay.”
Proceeding next to the outcome of the election, Trump said that “we have just been through an intense election and emotions are high. But now tempers must be cooled and calm restored. We must get on with the business of America.”
“My campaign vigorously pursued every legal avenue to contest the election result. My only goal was to ensure the integrity of the vote. In so doing I was fighting to defend American democracy”, a statement which we doubt Congress Democrats will agree with. Trump then went on to say that “we must reform our election laws to verify the identity and eligibility of all voters and ensure faith and confidence in all future elections.”
Which brings us to Trump’s technical concession: “Congress has certified the results. A new administration will be inaugurated on Jan 20. My focus now turn to ensuring the smooth, orderly and seamless transition of power. This moment now calls for healing and reconciliation.”
Trump then turned his attention to the covid pandemic, saying that “defeating this pandemic and rebuilding the greatest economy on earth will require all of us working together. It will require a new emphasis on the civic values of patriotism, faith, charity, community and family. We must revitalize the sacred bonds of love and loyalty that bind us together as one national family.”
The president concluded with yet another implicit concession, but left off in a somewhat cryptic fashion: “To the citizens of our country, serving as your president has been the honor of a lifetime. And to all of my wonderful supporters, I know you are disappointed but I also want you to know that our incredible journey is only just beginning.”
And now we wait to see if and when Twitter will nuke this video too.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2021