Shocked Trump Supporters "Can't Accept... It's Not Over Yet" (Comprehensive)

Protests and Allegations of Election Fraud Erupt Nationwide
Conservative Christian Groups Also Express 'Disappointment'
Trump Camp Urges "Be Ready for Protests"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] As reports confirmed Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential candidate, as the winner of the U.S. presidential election, supporters of President Donald Trump were thrown into great shock. Quoting President Trump's claim that this election was fraudulent, they expressed their refusal to accept the results.

According to the New York Times (NYT), Washington Post (WP), and others on the 7th (local time), immediately after the news of Biden's victory was announced, Trump supporters gathered in various places such as Phoenix, Arizona, and Atlanta, Georgia, holding protests condemning election fraud.

Wearing the red hats that have become a symbol of President Trump, they waved American flags and placards with slogans such as "Stop the Steal" and "Keep America Great" as they protested.

Charles Tuttle (59), who participated in a protest in front of the state capitol in Bismarck, North Dakota, told the NYT, "I absolutely cannot accept these results," adding, "If these results are valid, today is a sad day for America." He dismissed the possibility of violence, saying, "We will not take to the streets to commit violence. We are a party of law and order."

In Washington D.C., around 1 p.m., dozens of Trump supporters gathered outside the Capitol to protest the election results, but the demonstration was mostly peaceful.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Trump Supporters: "The Election Is Not Over... We Must Go to Court"

Hundreds of supporters also gathered at state capitols in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Georgia, where the race was close until the end. At the state capitol in Lansing, Michigan, Trump supporters shouted claims of a fraudulent election, insisting "We won." Some of them carried pistols on their hips or rifles slung across their bodies.

About 200 Trump supporters gathered in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, immediately after the election loss, chanting slogans such as "Stop the Steal," which accuses the Democrats of stealing the election, according to AP News and others.

At the event, Vernon Jones, a Republican member of the Georgia House of Representatives, said, "No one can steal this election from us," adding, "The Republican Party is taking action."

Protests also continued in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Phoenix, Arizona. Arizona, traditionally a Republican stronghold, was the region that went to Biden this time. Donna McCallum (77), who participated in the Phoenix protest, told AFP, "The election results seem to have come out too early. The electors have not yet been decided. There is too much fraud in this election," adding, "We need to vote again or recount. Look at the supporters here; is it possible that Biden could win here?"

One of President Trump's support bases, the evangelical conservative Christian community, also showed signs of rejecting the election results. Franklin Graham, a famous pastor in North Carolina, said that day, "The election is not over yet," and "We must go to court."

Robert Jeffress, pastor of a large church in Dallas, Texas, said, "There will be millions of Christians disappointed by this result," and announced that he would preach the next day about how Christians should respond to 'President Biden.'

Rudy Giuliani, former New York City mayor and personal attorney to President Trump, held a press conference in Philadelphia, amplifying allegations of election fraud and saying, "If it is illegal, the court will invalidate the election."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

WP: "Trump Campaign Orders Supporters to Prepare for Protests"

Meanwhile, the Trump campaign reportedly ordered supporters to prepare for protests, according to the WP. According to a transcript reported by WP, Bill Stepien, the campaign manager, told supporters that day, "Be prepared. At some point, you may need to hold protests in your area," and "We are recommending Trump supporter marches nationwide."

Stepien emphasized, "President Trump is ready to keep fighting," and "Please be ready to respond immediately to announcements. Your help and support may be needed on the ground, waving flags and chanting the president's name." He also urged donations to support lawsuits related to the election.

Justin Clark, deputy campaign manager, also unilaterally claimed that Trump could have won in Georgia and that there were serious violations of regulations during the vote counting in Wisconsin, where Biden made a comeback victory.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.