Trump mulls how to keep up fight

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump faces a stark choice now that Democrat Joe Biden has won the White House: Concede graciously for the sake of the nation or don't -- and get evicted anyway.

After nearly four days of counting yielded a victory for Biden, Trump was still insisting the race was not over. He threw out allegations the election wasn't fair and "illegal" votes were counted, promised a flurry of legal action and fired off all-caps tweets insisting he'd "WON THIS ELECTION, BY A LOT."

While some in his circle were nudging Trump to concede graciously, many of his Republican allies, including on Capitol Hill, were egging him on or giving him space to process his loss.

"Trump has not lost," declared South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham in an appearance on Fox News Channel's "Sunday Morning Futures."

"Do not concede, Mr. President. Fight hard," he urged.

Supporters of President Donald Trump pray as they protest the election outside of the Clark County Election Department on Sunday in North Las Vegas.John Locher ~ Associated Press

Trump is not expected to formally concede, according to people close to him, but is likely to grudgingly vacate the White House at the end of his term. His ongoing efforts to paint the election as unfair are seen both as an effort to soothe a bruised ego and to show his loyal base of supporters he is still fighting. That could be key to keeping them energized for what comes next.

"He intends to fight," Trump economic adviser Larry Kudlow said as it was becoming clear the president was headed for defeat.

Would Trump ever concede? "I doubt it," said Trump's longtime friend and adviser Roger Stone, whose prison sentence was commuted by Trump in July. Stone asserted Biden, as a result, will have "a cloud over his presidency with half the people in the country believing that he was illegitimately elected."

Allies suggested if Trump wants to launch a media empire in coming years, he has an incentive to prolong the drama. So, too, if he intends to keep the door open to a possible 2024 comeback -- he would be only a year older than Biden is now.

Others in his inner circle encouraged him, including his personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani. The former New York mayor has been promising to provide the president with evidence of voter fraud but has not produced it, including during a news conference he held Saturday in the parking lot of a small Philadelphia landscaping company.

Demonstrators holding "Trump must concede" signs march following a "Count Every Vote" rally Sunday in downtown Dallas.Juan Figueroa ~ The Dallas Morning News via AP

Trump's adult sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, have also urged their father to keep fighting and challenged Republicans to stand with them, as have congressional allies such as Graham.

"What I would tell President Trump is: Don't give up. My advice is do not concede," said Republican Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona in a podcast interview. "Let's fight this thing through. It is too important to give up."

Some in the president's orbit have been looking toward Capitol Hill for signs of a Republican defection. But so far, most seemed to be giving him time.

"I look forward to the president dealing with this however he needs to deal with it," Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri said Sunday on ABC's "This Week." Still, he said it was time for Trump "to turn this discussion over to his lawyers, time for the lawyers to make the case that they have, both in court and to the American people, and then we're going to have to deal with those facts as they're presented. That has to happen and then we move forward."

"At this point, we do not know who has prevailed in the election," said Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, telling Fox News he believes Trump "still has a path to victory."

Other political allies and White House officials, however, have pressed Trump to change his tone and commit to a smooth transition. They've emphasized to him history will be a harsh judge of any action he takes that is seen as undermining his successor. And they have advised him to deliver a speech in the coming week pledging to support the transition.

Trump senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner has told others he is among those who have urged the president to accept the outcome of the race -- even if Trump won't come to terms with how it was reached.

At Fox News, where prime-time hosts wield enormous influence over Trump, Laura Ingraham gave voice to the president's belief the election had been unfair, while also pleading with him to keep his legacy in mind -- and preserve his status as a GOP kingmaker -- by gracefully leaving office.

"President Trump's legacy will only become more significant if he focuses on moving the country forward," she said Thursday.

This story is based on interviews with more than a dozen Trump aides and allies, many of whom spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal discussions.

That the peaceful transfer of power was even in doubt reflected the norm-shattering habits of the president, who even in victory never admitted he had lost the popular vote in 2016.

Most aides believed the president would take the weekend to decide on a plan, which will most certainly involve more legal action. But some aides believe the legal skirmishes are more about putting up the appearance of a fight than producing results.

There were some indications Trump was moving in a less contentious direction, even as he continued to complain to aides, reviving old grievances about the Russia investigation that began under President Barack Obama.

In a statement Friday, Trump suggested he would avail himself of every avenue under the law to challenge the election's result. But allies interpreted it as a begrudging acknowledgment of the likely outcome.

"We will pursue this process through every aspect of the law to guarantee that the American people have confidence in our government," he said Trump said. "I will never give up fighting for you and our nation."

On Saturday, the White House added the president "will accept the results of a free and fair election" and the administration "is following all statutory requirements."

Still, there were concerns Trump's rhetoric would inflame tensions in a nation that was already divided before the election. Isolated scuffles were reported near tabulation centers in Philadelphia and Phoenix.

Pro-Trump protesters have rallied outside tallying facilities in several cities around the country, responding to Trump's accusations the Democrats were trying to steal the White House.

Biden, meanwhile, has called on the country to come together.

"For all those of you who voted for President Trump, I understand the disappointment tonight. I've lost a couple of times myself. But now, let's give each other a chance," he said in his Saturday night victory speech.