Topic: Legitimacy

Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado is reportedly in contact with world leaders, including Emmanuel Macron, to restore democratic will in Venezuela. While many international observers view her as the legitimate winner of the recent election, President Trump expressed skepticism regarding her current level of support among the remaining power structures in the country. Her role in a post-Maduro government remains an open question.

A discussion regarding the expiration of Volodymyr Zelensky's official presidential term notes that Ukraine has not held new elections due to the ongoing war. Claims are made that the Ukrainian constitution lacks a provision for an automatic extension of power, potentially complicating the legal legitimacy of any future peace treaty signatures.

President Biden suggested that the results of the 2022 midterm elections could be "illegitimate" if Democratic voting reforms are not passed. He also alluded to potential executive actions to bypass state-level voting changes. The hosts compare his rhetoric to a quote attributed to Joseph Stalin regarding the importance of who counts the votes.

Hillary Clinton discusses the lack of a constitutional mechanism to contest the 2016 election during an interview with Stephen Colbert. She emphasizes that the legitimacy of the presidency is rooted in ongoing investigations into Russian coordination. Clinton urges voters to mobilize for the 2018 midterm elections to express rejection of foreign interference.

Keith Olbermann argued on Bill Maher's show that Donald Trump is an illegitimate president due to Russian interference, which he characterizes as a bloodless invasion. He called for a psychological war against the administration, suggesting the use of the Logan Act and constant public harassment.

Politico publishes a piece featuring several journalists who claim Donald Trump has a "deep fear" of being an illegitimate president. The hosts argue that the real grievance among these journalists is Trump's use of Twitter to bypass traditional media gatekeepers.

David Corn argues that Donald Trump's refusal to acknowledge the seriousness of Russian hacking is an attempt to protect the legitimacy of his election win. Corn suggests that Trump's dismissive attitude toward intelligence reports indicates something is "amiss" regarding his ties to Russia.