Donald Trump debates Hillary Clinton at Hofstra University. (Getty)
During the final presidential debate on Wednesday, Donald Trump would not say that he will accept the result of the election, and many prominent Republicans are already weighing in and denouncing his statement.
Carlos Curbelo, Republican congressman from Florida, said that accepting election results is fundamental to the way democracy works.
Peaceful transfer of power & acceptance of election results is fundamental to our democracy & Constitution. This cannot be undermined ever.
Jeff Flake, Republican senator from Arizona, said that this statement of trump is “beyond the pale.”
.@realDonaldTrump saying that he might not accept election results is beyond the pale
Lindsey Graham, Republican senator from South Carolina, issued a statement after the debate saying that he has confidence in democracy and that if Trump loses, it will be because he is a failed candidate.
My thoughts on a ‘rigged’ presidential election.
Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse issued a statement calling Trump’s comments “dangerous.”
Statement from @BenSasse on Trump’s comments last night
Republican senator and former presidential candidate John McCain released a statement saying that the loser of an election has “a duty to concede” and that this is the American way.
Conservative commentator Laura Ingraham said that Trump should have said he’ll accept the election results and that he had “no other option.”
Many in Trump’s camp immediately began to insist that Trump will accept the election results, even though he refused to do so about a half-hour earlier. Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus said that Trump will concede the election if he loses.
Speaking with reporters after the debate, RNC Communications Director Sean Spicer said that the RNC will respect the result of the election, according to BuzzFeed News. Trump’s campaign manager Kellyanne Conway told CNN that Trump will accept the election results because he will win the election. She also said that she would advise Trump to concede if he loses “absent evidence of widespread abuse and regularities.”
Some other Trump supporters, though, completely agreed with what Trump said. Rick Santorum, former Republican presidential candidate, said on Twitter that Trump will “see how much voter fraud” there is before conceding. Rudy Giuliani said that Trump’s response was “exactly the answer I would’ve given.”
Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin said that Trump will accept the election results “if they are legit results.”
Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions denied that Trump even made this statement, saying, “Maybe you understood it differently.”
This post will be updated as more Republicans react to Trump’s comments.