Trump refuses to concede after Biden wins 2020 election: 'This is far from over'

Donald Trump is refusing to concede the presidential election to Joe Biden even after the Associated Press, and every US television news network, declared him the president-elect, saying the race is “far from over” and promising an intense legal fight.

“The simple fact is this election is far from over. Joe Biden has not been certified as the winner of any states, let alone any of the highly contested states headed for mandatory recounts, or states where our campaign has valid and legitimate legal challenges that could determine the ultimate victor,” the president said in a statement, released by his campaign.

“Beginning Monday, our campaign will start prosecuting our case in court to ensure election laws are fully upheld and the rightful winner is seated. The American people are entitled to an honest election: that means counting all legal ballots, and not counting any illegal ballots,” he said, continuing to claim there is widespread voter fraud but without evidence.

“This is the only way to ensure the public has full confidence in our election. It remains shocking that the Biden campaign refuses to agree with this basic principle and wants ballots counted even if they are fraudulent, manufactured, or cast by ineligible or deceased voters. Only a party engaged in wrongdoing would unlawfully keep observers out of the count room — and then fight in court to block their access,” Mr Trump added. 

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“So what is Biden hiding? I will not rest until the American People have the honest vote count they deserve and that Democracy demands.”

As he golfed at his club in Sterling, Virginia, about 40 minutes from the White House, the president’s statement accused Mr Biden of trying to “falsely pose as the winner”.

He also accused the president-elect and his “media allies” of “trying so hard to help him” because they collectively “don’t want the truth to be exposed”.

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In his own statement, Mr Biden said he is “honoured and humbled by the trust the American people have placed in me and in Vice President-elect Harris”. 

He added: "In the face of unprecedented obstacles, a record number of Americans voted. Proving once again, that democracy beats deep in the heart of America.

'With the campaign over, it's time to put the anger and the harsh rhetoric behind us and come together as a nation," he added. "It's time for America to unite. And to heal."

The two opponents issued those duelling statements after the Associated Press and major US television networks called Pennsylvania for Mr Biden, putting him over the 270 electoral college votes needed to secure the presidency.

The victory declaration for Mr Biden came after three full days of vote-counting across the country. He also took Nevada and its six Electoral College votes shortly after the Pennsylvania call.