Joe Lockhart: Trump Questioning Election Results ‘Hallmark of Failing Democracy, Moving Toward Authoritarian’

President Donald Trump is questioning the electoral process in a number of states in which where vote tallies are still on-going and are extremely close.  Former White House Press Secretary Joe Lockhart portrayed Trump’s question of election results as a “hallmark of a failing democracy” today during a visit to the set of CNN’s New Day, adding that it was “moving toward authoritarian.”

The conversation came after Trump tweeted early Monday morning that the Florida election results should be called, despite the fact that Military votes coming in from those in service overseas are provided extra time (in this case November 17th.) Trump tweeted:

The Florida Election should be called in favor of Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis in that large numbers of new ballots showed up out of nowhere, and many ballots are missing or forged. An honest vote count is no longer possible-ballots massively infected. Must go with Election Night!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 12, 2018

Over the weekend, Trump also baselessly claimed voter fraud:

Just out — in Arizona, SIGNATURES DON’T MATCH. Electoral corruption – Call for a new Election? We must protect our Democracy!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 9, 2018

Trying to STEAL two big elections in Florida! We are watching closely!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 10, 2018

The former Clinton advisor dispassionately called this level of rhetoric as he saw it. “Where he doesn’t like the results and that is a hallmark of a failing democracy, someone moving toward authoritarian.” He added “where he says fake news. Don’t believe what you see. Only believe what I say. That is very troubling”.

Watch the clip above, courtesy of CNN.

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