President Donald Trump’s campaign predicted victory as early as Friday, saying by then “it will be clear” despite Democratic challenger Joe Biden currently leading in several key states.
“Donald Trump is alive and well,” Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien said on a conference call Thursday. Trump adviser Jason Miller went even further, saying Trump could win tomorrow.
Trump’s campaign is embroiled in legal battles in Pennsylvania, Nevada, Georgia, and Michigan, among others. They have called for a stop to vote-counting, asserting that there are “illegal ballots” being counted.
Another lawsuit was filed by Trump’s team on Thursday morning in Nevada, asserting that thousands of people who are dead or aren’t residents cast ballots in the state, which has six Electoral College votes.
The campaign also filed a suit in Chatham County, but Judge James Bass dismissed their lawsuit. No explanation was given.
Biden’s campaign, meanwhile, said that a victory for the former vice president is “imminent.”
Campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon told reporters on Thursday that vote-counting efforts suggest Biden will win enough votes in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Nevada.
“Rural, in-person votes might be next to show up in Nevada, tilting in Trump’s favor,” she added, saying that despite those ballots, the campaign “still expect[s] to win Nevada.” But their “data shows Joe Biden will be the next president of the United States,” O’Malley Dillon added.
No news organizations have called the race in favor of Biden in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada, or North Carolina. Fox News and The Associated Press called the race for Arizona on Tuesday night, although some Republicans and pollsters called on the two organizations to rescind the call as ballots are counted.
“The story of today will be a very positive story for the vice president but one where folks need to stay patient and calm,” O’Malley Dillon said, describing Trump’s lawsuits as “desperate.” “The count is happening and will take time … we’re confident we’ll come out ahead and are absolutely confident Joe Biden will be the next president of the United States.”
O'Malley Dillon and other Biden campaign officials dismissed lawsuits alleging voter fraud and irregularities filed on behalf of Trump.
