Mona Charen warned that the U.S. must be hypervigilant regarding the actions of election deniers in the aftermath of an election [1].
This warning comes as concerns grow over the stability of democratic processes. The potential for election deniers to influence the administration of votes and control outcomes poses a risk to the perceived legitimacy of government transitions.
Speaking during a June 2024 broadcast of MS NOW, Charen, an opinion columnist for The Bulwark, said the need for caution is important [1]. She said, "We have to be hypervigilant about what deniers do in the aftermath of an election" [1].
The discussion focused on the ongoing rhetoric from Donald Trump, who has questioned the integrity of American elections. According to reports, Trump has made at least three public statements since 2022 questioning the results of the 2020 election [2].
Katy Tur, the host of the program, said that Trump's continued attacks on election integrity are frightening and could have real consequences for the November 2024 midterm elections [1]. These midterms are scheduled for November 2024 [2].
David French also contributed to the warning, noting the danger of a specific strategy used by those who contest results. French said, "If we don’t watch the playbook of election deniers, they will try to shape administration and control outcomes" [1].
The panel suggested that the patterns observed in previous cycles could be repeated. The concern is that these tactics do not merely challenge a result, but attempt to alter the mechanism of the election itself to favor specific candidates.
“We have to be hypervigilant about what deniers do in the aftermath of an election.”
The warning reflects a broader concern among political analysts that election denialism has evolved from a rhetorical tool into a strategic 'playbook.' By targeting the administrative process of counting and certifying votes, these actors may seek to create legal or political loopholes that allow for the overturning of certified results, potentially destabilizing the peaceful transfer of power in future U.S. contests.
