Edward Norton shares ‘perfect’ explanation of why Trump has refused to concede election

‘The core of it is that he knows he’s in deep, multi-dimensional legal jeopardy and this defines his every action’

Edward Norton arrives at the premiere of ‘Motherless Brooklyn’ on 28 October 2019 in Los Angeles, California (Jerod Harris/Getty Images)

Edward Norton has received praise for sharing a “perfect” explanation of why, in his mind, Donald Trump has refused to acknowledge his loss in the 2020 presidential election.

The actor admitted he’s “no political pundit” but pointed to his father, a former federal prosecutor who he said “taught me a lot”, as well as his experience playing poker with “serious players”.  

“I do not think Trump is trying to ‘make his base happy’ or ‘laying the groundwork for his own network,’ or that ‘chaos is what he loves,’” Norton wrote, echoing some of the theories that have been voiced to explain Trump’s refusal to concede.

“The core of it is that he knows he’s in deep, multi-dimensional legal jeopardy and this defines his every action.”

Trump’s upcoming departure from the White House means he will be more vulnerable to lawsuits and prosecution than as president. There has been mounting talk of the various forms of legal action he could face once he’s no longer in power.

“We’re seeing 1) a tactical delay of the transition to buy time for coverup and evidence suppression 2) above all, a desperate endgame, which is to create enough chaos and anxiety about peaceful transfer of power, and fear of irreparable damage to the system, that he can cut a Nixon-style deal in exchange for finally conceding,” Norton added.

Former President Richard Nixon was pardoned in 1974 by Gerald Ford after Nixon’s resignation, which itself followed the Watergate scandal.

Norton cautioned that Trump’s actions amount to bluffing and he “doesn’t have the cards”. He urged others not to let the president “bully the USA into a deal to save his a** by threatening our democracy”.

“THAT is his play. But he’s got junk in his hand. So call him,” Norton added.

"I will allow that he’s also a whiny, sulky, petulant, Grinchy, vindictive little 10-ply-super-soft b**** who no doubt is just throwing a wicked pout fest and trying to give a tiny-hand middle finger to the whole country for pure spite, without a single thought for the dead and dying.

“But his contemptible, treasonous, seditious assault on the stability of our political compact isn’t about 2024, personal enrichment or anything else other than trying to use chaos and threat to the foundation of the system as leverage to trade for a safe exit. Call. His. Bluff.”

The actor ended by expressing his faith that American’s institutions and founding principles will hold even if “severely stretched”.

“He’s leaving, gracelessly and in infamy,” he added. “But if we trade for it, give him some brokered settlement, we’ll be vulnerable to his return. We can’t flinch.”

Norton’s Twitter thread has been liked tens of thousands of times. Actor Aimee Carrero was among many sharing her appreciation, telling him: “This is perfect. Thank you.”

Joe Biden has won the 2020 presidential election with 306 electoral votes and is now the president-elect.