2024: The Election That Will Tear America Apart Before It Even Begins

Trump Isn’t Just Running for the White House—He’s Running From Prison. Here’s Why That Should Scare Us All

As we approach the 2024 presidential election, one thing is becoming disturbingly clear: There is no chance this election will be over on Election Night. In fact, I fear it might not be over by the end of the year.

The chaos that unfolded in 2020, with Donald Trump and his allies attempting to overturn a legitimate election, may pale in comparison to what’s coming.

This time, Trump isn’t just fighting for the White House; he’s fighting for his personal freedom, as he faces a litany of criminal indictments and a conviction that could send him to prison for the rest of his wretched life.

2020 Was Just a Dress Rehearsal

The 2020 election should have been a wake-up call for all Americans. Trump’s refusal to concede, the endless legal challenges, and the violent insurrection on January 6, 2021, showed just how fragile our democracy can be when one man refuses to accept defeat.

Yet here we are, nearly four years later, and instead of learning from that nightmare, it seems the GOP is preparing to run the same playbook—with even more determination.

Let’s not forget that Trump’s efforts in 2020 were, in many ways, a surprise. Yes, we knew he would claim fraud if he lost, but the sheer scale of the conspiracy theories, the dozens of lawsuits, and the pressure he exerted on state officials to overturn results were unprecedented.

Yet, despite these desperate measures, Trump's attempts to overturn the results were largely thwarted by the courts, election officials, and, ultimately, the will of the people.

But in 2024, Trump and his minions are better prepared, more organized, and more desperate. This time, they won’t just be trying to win an election—they’ll be trying to avoid prison.

Trump faces multiple indictments and is already convicted of fraud in New York. Winning the White House could offer him the political cover and influence he needs to derail or delay those legal battles, which is a terrifying prospect.

Support independent journalism. Subscribe to my newsletter for updates and insights as we navigate the 2024 election and beyond.

The Fight Will Be Nastier and More Prolonged

What makes 2024 even more alarming is the groundwork being laid by Trump’s allies to delegitimize the election before it even happens.

As Rachel Maddow pointed out in her recent op-ed for The New York Times, Trump’s supporters are preparing to refuse to certify election results in states he loses.

We’re not talking about legal challenges post-election; we’re talking about premeditated efforts to reject the results before the votes are even fully counted​(

Republican state officials in key battlegrounds have introduced new voting restrictions and measures that make it easier to question or throw out ballots.

Georgia election officials recently mandated hand-counting ballots—an error-prone and time-consuming process that could lead to prolonged delays and chaos.

And let’s not forget the push in places like Nebraska to change how electoral votes are allocated, making it more difficult for Democrats to pick up votes in Republican strongholds.

These actions, combined with a GOP willing to back Trump no matter the consequences, point to an election that will be contested at every turn.

In 2020, the courts, state officials, and even some of Trump’s own appointees ultimately upheld the integrity of the vote.

Can we expect the same in 2024, when many of those key positions have been filled by Trump loyalists?

Trump’s Stakes Are Higher—So Are the Consequences

In 2020, Trump was fighting for his ego and political future. In 2024, he’s fighting for his freedom. This changes everything.

Trump is facing multiple indictments, including charges related to his efforts to subvert the 2020 election itself. In New York, his real estate empire is crumbling under the weight of fraud convictions.

If he loses the election, he loses the protection of political power, and that could mean prison.

This higher personal stake raises the likelihood that Trump and his allies will do everything—everything—in their power to contest the results.

In a scenario where Trump loses, we can expect a repeat of the baseless fraud claims, but this time, they will be backed by an even more sophisticated, well-financed, and ruthless effort to overturn the outcome.

The stakes aren’t just political—they’re existential for Trump.

What This Means for the Timeline of the 2024 Election

If you thought waiting a few days for the results in 2020 was stressful, brace yourself. There is no way this election will be resolved on Election Night.

The legal challenges, recounts, and refusal to certify results in key states could drag the process out for weeks, if not months.

And while the Electoral College typically meets in December to cast its votes, that date could come and go without a clear resolution if states refuse to certify their results.

Imagine a scenario where multiple swing states have uncertified results, and the election drags into January 2025 with no clear winner.

This would be a constitutional crisis of the highest order, and the uncertainty would only fuel more violence and unrest from an already polarized electorate.

Love this article? Share it with your friends—no paywalls, ever!

A Looming Crisis for Democracy

What Trump did in 2020 is likely just a preview of what’s to come in 2024. This time, it won’t just be legal challenges and Twitter tirades.

Republican election officials will refuse to certify results, state legislatures will attempt to subvert the people's will, and a former president will face prison time if he loses.

The stakes are higher, the tactics are more extreme, and the consequences for democracy could be catastrophic.

If we’ve learned anything from the past four years, it’s that Trump and his allies will stop at nothing to maintain power. And with the legal noose tightening around Trump’s neck, his desperation to win at any cost has never been more palpable.

The American people must be prepared for an election that won’t be decided on November 5, 2024—or even in the weeks that follow.

The 2024 election could be the most protracted, contested, and dangerous in modern American history. Buckle up.