A bad example until the very end: Trump’s refusal to concede defeat is sending shock waves around the world

He may have lost the vote, but Trump’s delegitimising of the electoral process could act as an inspiration to others, reports Borzou Daragahi

Leaving, but not quietly. President Donald Trump looks on to supporters after leaving the Trump National golf club in Sterling, Va (AP)

Donald Trump’s refusal to concede in the 2020 presidential elections is prompting concern across the world, with officials in several countries voicing worry over the consequences of the outgoing president’s unsubstantiated insistence that fraud marred a vote praised by international observers.

The election last week gave Democrat Joe Biden a resounding victory in both the popular vote as well as the electoral college, which ultimately decides the winner of US presidential race. But because unprecedented millions of mailed ballots were counted late, Mr Trump showed early election day leads which were eroded. Mr Trump and his supporters baselessly claim the election was stolen, citing no evidence.  

The soon-to-be ex-president and many of his Republican Party acolytes have refused to concede, or offer congratulations, or even allow steps to begin a transfer of authority. Pressed by reporters on whether the Trump administration was preparing to work with the Biden team to ensure a smooth handover of power, secretary of state Mike Pompeo startled diplomats by insisting “there will be a smooth transition to a second Trump administration”.