In the high-octane spectacle that is the American presidential campaign, there’s always been a fair share of grandstanding, bizarre promises, and jaw-dropping statements. But what’s happening now in the Trump campaign is beyond the usual political theatre—it’s something far more sinister, something that threatens the very bedrock of democracy. And it’s time we all take notice.
Over the weekend, Donald Trump stood before an adoring crowd and made a proclamation that should send shivers down the spine of every citizen who believes in the democratic process. With his usual bravado, he told the audience that if they vote for him in November, they will never have to vote again. Yes, you heard that right: the man who once held the highest office in the land is promising to make voting obsolete. “Get out and vote just this time,” he urged, “because after this time, you won’t have to do it anymore.”
Let that sink in. The cornerstone of democracy—the right to vote, the power of the people to choose their leaders—was dismissed as a mere inconvenience, a burden Trump is eager to relieve us of. He painted a picture where, under his reign, the pesky business of casting ballots would be a thing of the past. “We’ll have it fixed so good,” he assured his supporters, “you’re not going to have to vote.”
Trump: "You gotta get out and vote. Just this time. In four years you don't have to vote, ok? In four years don't vote, I don't care. But we'll have it all straightened out, so it'll be much different." pic.twitter.com/qM8OMAeGXL
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 22, 2024
This isn’t the first time Trump has floated such an idea. It’s become a recurring theme in his rhetoric, and it’s as alarming as it sounds. He’s pitching the end of voting as a joyful liberation, a reward for loyalty. But make no mistake: this is not just another of his outlandish promises. This is a direct assault on the very concept of democracy.
The democratic process is not just about the act of voting; it’s about the continuous, active participation of the people in their governance. It’s about accountability, the ability to change course if those in power fail to serve the public good. By suggesting that voting can be “fixed” so thoroughly that it becomes unnecessary, Trump is proposing nothing less than the end of democracy as we know it.
But as terrifying as that promise is, there’s something even more insidious going on beneath the surface. Just one day before Trump made his “last vote” promise, he told his supporters something equally bizarre and even more revealing. On Thursday, he claimed that they don’t need to vote at all in this upcoming election. “I have so many votes,” he bragged. “We don’t need the votes. I tell my people, I don’t need any votes. We got all the votes we need.”
Trump: I don’t need any votes. We have all the votes we need. We don’t need the votes. We have the votes. I don’t care pic.twitter.com/vToIe95bhm
— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) June 22, 2024
This isn’t just strange; it’s a chilling window into how Trump views the upcoming election. He doesn’t believe he needs to win the vote to win the election. He doesn’t believe the will of the people will decide his fate. And why would he? This is a man who, during his presidency, showed open disdain for democratic norms, culminating in his refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election and his role in inciting the January 6th insurrection.
What’s even more disturbing is the groundwork being laid to make Trump’s grim vision a reality. As reported by Rolling Stone, and The Atlantic, at least 70 election officials who deny the legitimacy of the 2020 election have been strategically placed in key swing states—Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. These officials are not just casual skeptics; they are committed election denialists who have already refused or delayed certification processes in recent elections. They are in place for one reason: to ensure that election results, no matter how clear-cut, do not get certified if they don’t go the GOP’s way.
The implications of this are staggering. Trump’s campaign is not counting on winning the election in the traditional sense. They are not focused on persuading voters or building broad coalitions. Instead, they are banking on chaos, on the refusal to certify results, on the dismantling of democratic norms. They are preparing to claim victory by any means necessary, votes be damned.
This strategy of undermining the electoral process is not new; it’s a continuation of what we saw in 2020. But this time, it’s being carried out with terrifying precision. In the last election, we witnessed the spectacle of a sitting president refusing to concede, spreading baseless claims of fraud, and inciting a violent attack on the Capitol. This time, Trump is making it clear that he doesn’t intend to lose—and he doesn’t need the voters to win.
Trump did this and this should not be considered a presidential duty. Calling upon insurrectionists to overthrow the results of a free and fair election because you never learned how to lose is not presidential, it’s treason.#TrumpDidThis #FreshResistspic.twitter.com/5qXjUzDeqP
— Maverick (@Isellmpls) July 5, 2024
As we stand just 80 days out from the election, the weirdness of this campaign has reached a crescendo. The disjointed, chaotic nature of Trump’s messaging, the strange choices, the eccentric billionaires backing him—it all adds up to a campaign that is disconnected from the reality of traditional campaigning. But beneath the surface, something far more deliberate and dangerous is taking place.
The Democratic Party, under the leadership of Kamala Harris, is running what by all accounts looks like a traditional juggernaut of a campaign. They are out there, asking for votes, building a coalition, and playing by the rules of democracy. But are they prepared for what’s coming after the votes are cast? Are they ready for a world where the votes don’t matter?
Because if Trump’s rhetoric and the Republican strategy are anything to go by, this election is not going to be decided at the ballot box. It’s going to be decided in the halls of power, in the courts, and in the streets. It’s going to be a fight not just for the presidency, but for the very soul of American democracy.
Trump’s promise to end voting is not just another campaign trail exaggeration; it’s a declaration of intent. And if the American people don’t take it seriously—if they don’t fight back against this encroaching authoritarianism—they may find themselves living in a country where the people no longer have a voice, where the last dance of democracy has ended, and they are left with nothing but the ashes of a republic that once was.
Vudi Xhymshiti, founder and chief editor of The Frontliner Magazine, brings a wealth of experience in reporting on global armed conflicts and political issues. With a background in Documentary Photography and Photojournalism from the University of the Arts London, and studies in Political Science, International Relations, and Diplomacy, Vudi skilfully merges human rights insights with dedicated journalism. His ethical and thoughtful reporting has graced top publications like The Guardian and The New York Times. At The Frontliner, launched in 2023, he explores the profound effects of conflicts on law, human rights, and freedoms, continuing his commitment to impactful storytelling.
