Barack Obama's former adviser David Axelrod admitted to "very, very strong reservations" about booting Donald Trump from the 2024 ballot.
Axelrod appeared on Erin Burnett OutFront on Friday to react to the news that Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows blocked Trump from the state's ballot because she alleged Trump violated the 14th Amendment through his actions on Jan. 6. According to the political adviser, this could lead to more division in the country.
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???????????????????? ???????? - Former Barack Obama adviser David Axelrod warns that if Donald Trump is prevented from running by removing him from the ballot, it would 'rip the country apart.'
— Right Angle News Network (@Rightanglenews) December 30, 2023
He believes that millions of voters who support Trump would be furious if their #1 candidate was… pic.twitter.com/EktcNqKwmr
“I have very, very strong reservations about all of this,” Axelrod said. “I do think it would rip the country apart if he were actually prevented from running because tens of millions of people want to vote for him.”
Axelrod also suggested that Trump has only "gained" popularity since the various indictments against him, which include federal charges of mishandling classified documents. He has pleaded not guilty to all 91 felony charges.
Trump was also blocked from Colorado's 2024 ballot earlier this month, and combined with the Maine decision, Axelrod predicted Trump would only become more popular.
“What you thought might be kryptonite for him has turned out to be battery packs, and this is a big one for him,” Axelrod said. “I think if you’re going to beat Donald Trump, you’re going to probably have to do it at the polls.”
If you feel strongly about preserving our democracy, you shouldn't embrace the move to bar Trump from the ballot based on ambiguous interpretations of the 14th Amendment. It would tear the country apart and, for many, further erode faith in our system. https://t.co/syZz3KZZVG
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) December 29, 2023
This warning comes over a month after Axelrod confirmed that he advised President Joe Biden to ramp up his campaign strategy. Following his advice, Biden reportedly became "irritated," and as a result, Axelrod said he would "live with the fact that the president is unhappy with me."
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"Again, my feeling is: either get out or get going," Axelrod said, suggesting it may be wise for the president to consider dropping out of the race, largely due to his age.
Biden is currently the oldest sitting president at 81. If he wins, he will be 86 at the end of his second term. Biden's Democratic challengers are Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN), author Marianne Williamson, and YouTube news anchor Cenk Uygur.