Donald Trump election loss: Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell thought ex-POTUS did not truly believe fraud claims

Now-former President Donald Trump had only publicly conceded on the final days of his term after refusing to do so shortly after his election loss was already projected. With his Senate trial looming, a new report revealed that Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell thought that Trump never really believed his election fraud claims.

A report by the New York Times revealed what went on behind the scenes during the weeks before the riots at the Capitol by a pro-Trump mob last January 6. The report revealed that McConnell was under the impression that Trump never really believed in his claims of election fraud. The Senate GOP leader was also reportedly given the assurance of both Trump’s son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner and his chief of staff Mark Meadows that the then-president would concede and accept defeat eventually.

However, that did not ultimately become the case. Trump would go on to ignore the advice of election lawyers and instead listen to Rudy Giuliani’s conspiracy theories that the election was stolen from him and the Dominion voting machines were rigged, especially in Georgia. Trump’s claims were repeatedly refuted by officials and his lawsuits contesting the results were unsuccessful, even with his own appointed judges. Dominion has recently filed a billion-dollar lawsuit against Giuliani for his conspiracy theories.

McConnell was among those who pinned the blame on Trump not long after the violence last January 6. Trump’s incendiary remarks and continuous assertions of election fraud have led to his supporters breaking into the Capitol as Congress was formally counting electoral votes. Five people were killed in the riots with dozens of Capitol police officers injured. Congress resumed its joint session hours after the riots to finalize Joe Biden’s win, much to Trump’s liking.

Previously, Trump established his post-White House office in Florida to continue pushing his administration’s agenda even after leaving the presidency. The statement announcing the establishment of his office was released on the same day the articles of impeachment were delivered to the Senate by the House leadership.

“The office will be responsible for managing President Trump’s correspondence, public statements, appearances, and official activities to advance the interests of the United States and to carry on the agenda of the Trump administration through advocacy, organizing, and public activism,” said the statement.