What Could Trump Have Done Differently to Win the 2020 Election?

Donald J. Trump's presidency came to a close with a narrow loss to Joe Biden. Many wonder if there were any actions or decisions that could have changed the outcome. While it may be a stretch to say he could have done a completely different job, here are several strategic and personal changes that could have altered the 2020 election landscape.

Courting the Public and Announcing Withdrawal

One major mistake Trump made was his inability to show a united front with fellow Republicans. Instead of fostering a sense of unity, he engaged in malicious attacks on both Republicans and Democrats, which has a tendency to divide people. Maintaining a positive public image and disengaging from the cycle of lying and spreading false claims would have helped to improve his public perception.

Leadership on a National Level

During the pandemic, Trump's leadership was less than ideal. For instance, he could have focused on bringing the nation together rather than exacerbating divisions. By taking a more constructive approach, he could have turned one of his greatest strengths - patriotism - into a positive force for the future of the country. Even more, had he taken decisive actions to lessen the impact of the pandemic, he could have significantly improved his chances of winning.

Electoral Integrity and Base Enlargement

Another strategic move he could have pursued was ensuring that all ballots were electronically verified before they could be counted. According to some estimates, such an action could have reduced the number of counted ballots by 9%, potentially giving him the victory.

Building a Broader Base

While Trump had a loyal base, he may have struggled to enlarge it further. Instead of relying on white supremacists, racists, and bigots, he could have tried to broaden his appeal. This means courting a wider range of voters, especially those who are typically not part of the Republican base. This could have led to an additional 7 million votes.

Listening to Advisors and Improving Communication

John Kelly, Trump's first chief of staff, warned him to stop tweeting and start communicating with the entire nation, not just his base. Trump should have listened to such advice and focused on improving his communication strategies to connect with a broader audience and build trust.

Doing His Job Properly

Perhaps the most crucial mistake was Trump failing to do his job adequately. Instead of ruling the country, he ruled it like his businesses, which were notorious for being corrupt and fraudulent. If he had shown more competence and honesty, he might have won a landslide victory.

Implications of Time Mismanagement

Spending the four years prior to the election not doing his job properly led to a lack of preparedness. Alternatively, he could have sought help from international allies like Vladimir Putin to manipulate the election results. However, these actions would have further damaged his reputation and potentially led to even more widespread protest and distrust.

Conclusion

While the 2020 election results were clear, it is important to consider what actions could have changed the outcome. From improving leadership, ensuring election integrity, and broadening his appeal, there were several steps Trump could have taken to win the election. However, his divisive nature and lack of integrity ultimately led to his defeat, not just in the 2020 election but in the eyes of many Americans.