As Election Day approaches, the "Stop the Steal" movement has resurfaced with renewed vigor. Activists who previously sought to overturn former President Donald Trump's 2020 election loss are now outlining strategies to undermine the results if he falls short again in 2024.
For months, these activists have been preparing Trump supporters to believe that any loss would be due to fraud. They have proposed a range of tactics to challenge a potential Kamala Harris victory, including legal challenges to election results, pressuring lawmakers to block certification, and organizing protests leading up to January 6, 2025, when Congress will certify the election results once more.
"I have a plan and strategy," said Ivan Raiklin, a former Green Beret and political operative with close ties to Trump’s associates, addressing a gathering of Pennsylvania activists. "And then January 6th is going to be pretty fun."
Trump's allies, including the former president himself, are amplifying debunked claims of voter fraud through various platforms, including podcasts with large audiences, sermons from megachurches, and political rallies in key states. Some backers, including pastors aligned with Christian nationalist ideologies, have framed the election as a battle between good and evil, even labeling Harris as the antichrist and suggesting divine favor for Trump’s victory.
This resurgence of the "Stop the Steal" movement raises concerns about the potential for unrest and the ongoing polarization of American politics as the 2024 election nears.