What Happens if Trump Won’t Leave?

Matter of Opinion

New York Times Opinion

Society & Culture, Ross Douthat, News, New York Times, Journalism

4.2 • 7.2K Ratings

🗓️ 9 October 2020

⏱️ 41 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

So President Trump caught the coronavirus. But with just weeks left in the 2020 campaign, what impact will his ill health — and subsequent spin — have on the election? Columnist David Brooks joins Michelle and Ross to talk about masculinity, sympathizing with someone you hate, and how the virus’s spread within Republican circles will play out among the electorate. Plus, Ross recites some medieval political theology. Then, what happens after Nov. 3? The columnists debate three possible outcomes for the election, ranging from dragging Trump out of the Oval Office with his “tail between his legs,” to secession and civil war. Finally, David is vindicated in a repeated recommendation of the lyricism of Taylor Swift, with some septuagenarian Springsteen on the side. For background reading on this episode, visit nytimes.com/the-argument.

Transcript

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0:00.0	I'm Michelle Goldberg.
0:01.5	I'm David Brooks.
0:02.6	I'm Ross Douthet, and this is the argument.
0:07.7	This week, the president has the coronavirus.
0:11.2	His White House is a hot zone.
0:13.9	What does it mean for the election?
0:16.8	And then, what happens after Election Day if we still don't know who won?
0:21.2	If Trump doesn't accept a loss, if Congress or the court has to choose the next president.
0:30.1	A week ago now, the president of the United States tested positive for the coronavirus
0:35.5	and was swiftly admitted to Walter Reed Hospital.
0:38.8	After a bevy of treatments, he was released, even as positive tests spread throughout his
0:43.9	senior staff. And he's returned to the White House with a message that Americans need not
0:48.8	cower in fear of the virus, that he's beating it and soaking we.
0:54.1	I'm certain that Michelle has some thoughts on all of these events.
1:00.8	But since David is here as our special guest, I want to start with him.
1:04.8	First, David, welcome back to the argument.
1:07.0	Yeah, welcome.
1:08.0	It's an intimidating honor to be back.
1:10.0	You know, you survived the first time.
1:11.6	We'll see how this one goes.
1:13.0	The big picture question is, are we actually finally living through the end of the Trump presidency
1:20.2	right now?
	...

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