In a confidential memo obtained by NBC News, former President Donald Trump’s pollster Tony Fabrizio admitted that Trump lost the key battleground states of Arizona and Georgia to President Joe Biden in the 2020 election. Fabrizio calculated the potential impact of independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dropping out of the race and endorsing Trump, noting that this development could have significant implications for Trump in these states. Despite this acknowledgment, Trump has still not conceded the election.
Biden’s victories in Arizona and Georgia were significant as both states had traditionally leaned towards Republican candidates. Biden’s win marked the first time in 72 years that a Democratic presidential nominee had won Arizona. In Georgia, Biden’s win was a major breakthrough for the Democratic Party, who had not won the Southern state in nearly 30 years. The memo from Fabrizio indicates that Trump’s team is recognizing the challenges they faced in these states and the impact of Kennedy’s decision to drop out and endorse Trump.
Kennedy’s decision to suspend his presidential campaign and support Trump was based on what he described as “principled causes,” including free speech, the war in Ukraine, and the protection of children. Kennedy stated that Trump had adopted these issues as his own and had asked for his support in his administration, prompting Kennedy to endorse him. Polls showed that Kennedy had more appeal with Trump voters than Biden or Harris voters, indicating that his endorsement could benefit Trump in the upcoming election.
Democrats had initially portrayed Kennedy as a “spoiler” candidate who was taking votes away from Biden and ultimately helping Trump. However, as Biden withdrew from the race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, surveys began to show that Kennedy was actually hurting Trump more than Harris. Fabrizio’s memo highlights the shift in perception of Kennedy’s impact on the election and describes it as “good news” for Trump’s campaign. This development could potentially sway voters in favor of Trump in critical battleground states.
The memo’s acknowledgment of Trump’s losses in Arizona and Georgia and the potential impact of Kennedy’s endorsement on the upcoming election underscores the complexity of the political landscape. Despite Trump’s refusal to concede the 2020 election, his team’s recognition of the challenges they face in key battleground states indicates a strategic shift in their approach. Kennedy’s decision to drop out and support Trump also adds a new dimension to the election, with the potential to influence voter preferences and outcomes in critical states like Arizona and Georgia.
Overall, the memo reveals important insights into the dynamics of the upcoming election and the key factors that could shape its outcome. Trump’s team’s admission of his losses in key battleground states and the potential impact of Kennedy’s endorsement highlight the complexities of the political landscape and the strategic considerations facing both campaigns. With the election approaching, these developments could have significant implications for the final results and the future direction of American politics.
