“Trump will not concede” - Price Prediction

As a cinema devotee who has witnessed countless dramatic narratives unfold on screen, I can confidently say that the 2024 US Presidential election is a blockbuster unlike any other. Sarah Smith, the BBC’s North America editor, has provided us with an unprecedented account of this electrifying tale, one that rivals even the most captivating Hollywood productions.

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Request Sarah Smith to briefly discuss the 2024 US Presidential election, and she promptly responds. “Exceptional” is how the BBC’s North America editor describes it. Having been a Washington correspondent for Channel 4 News in 2008, she was present during Barack Obama’s victory, which seemed extraordinary. But this… (feels/seems/appears) even more so.

“Who would have thought Donald Trump would be convicted of 34 felonies, and increase his popularity as a result? Then came the BidenTrump debate – nothing was more jaw-dropping than that, watching a 50-year political career falling apart in front of me.”

Moving forward in time from late May, she recounted several remarkable occurrences. These included the initial attempt on Trump’s life, which caught everyone off guard – I was relaxing on my day off, engrossed in Netflix, when a WhatsApp message flashed up saying “Trump has been shot”. Immediately following this incident, there was the heated Republican convention, where party members felt that divine intervention had miraculously preserved their leader for them.

Following Joe Biden’s decision to abandon his re-election campaign and Kamala Harris assuming leadership prior to the Democratic convention, came a second attempt on Donald Trump’s life. On that particular day, I was enjoying a lively Sunday lunch with a friend, moments away from filling my second glass of wine, when someone glanced at their phone and remarked: ‘Someone has attempted to assassinate Trump again’. What an extraordinary year it turned out to be!

On an uncommon free day from election coverage, typically finding myself trailing one of the two contenders or gathering voter opinions in the decisive battlegrounds of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, I find myself at my residence in Washington D.C. on this particular occasion.

In her spacious, sunlit sitting room adorned with an old-fashioned fireplace and plush antiques, she’s chatting over Teams. The golden autumn rays contrast beautifully with the city’s humid Washington summer. Fresh from recording an episode of the BBC’s podcast Americast, her chatty, casual yet sharp and attentive demeanor makes one feel like they’re just having a friendly conversation with a familiar friend.

She mentions that the time difference undeniably makes her job more difficult,” she explains. “I wake up at 6:30 am, which is five hours ahead of London, and am greeted by a pile of emails waiting for me. Preparing a report for the 6 o’clock news can be quite hectic – if I’m in Arizona, that translates to 10 am local time.

It’s crucial we stay vigilant against AI and false information, as disinformation plays a significant role in this discourse. I’ve encountered voters who believe unfounded rumors like the one that Haitian immigrants consume cats and dogs, which they claimed to have seen on TikTok. However, local officials in Springfield, Ohio have debunked Trump’s similar claim about residents there.

It’s equally tiring and thrilling, and there’s a particular home convenience that Smith relies on to stay energized during travel. “I always carry my portable kettle, some Tetley teabags, and a mug. I then purchase real milk, not the half-and-half cream substitute found here, so I can enjoy virtually non-stop cups of tea, almost like an IV drip.

I always travel with a portable kettle and my Tetley teabag

On my free days, I enjoy exploring the stunning landscapes surrounding Washington. Every Saturday, I have a pilates class scheduled, which unfortunately gets cancelled about half the time due to breaking news. Additionally, there’s a fantastic farmers market near me on Sundays, but when that happens, I end up boarding a plane later in the day, only to find out that all the fresh produce will spoil while I’m traveling.

Smith met her 17-year partner, Simon Conway, through his sister, and they tied the knot within a year. He serves as a director for The Halo Trust, an organization that helps clear landmines in nations rebuilding after conflict. “At present,” she notes, “he’s stationed in the South Pacific.” “We don’t complain about each other being absent,” she adds, “we’ve grown accustomed to it.

Born into a public family, being one of three daughters of the late Labour leader John Smith, who passed away in 1994 at age 55, Sarah is accustomed to the limelight. Her sibling Catherine, now Baroness Smith of Cluny, was recently appointed as Scotland’s Advocate General in August. Sarah shared a photo on X showcasing Catherine’s induction into the House of Lords, accompanied by their mother Elizabeth, who has been Lady Smith of Gilmorehill since 1995 at the age of 84.

Smith assumed her present position starting from early 2022, having served as the BBC’s Scotland editor for eight years prior. Has residing in the U.S. influenced her? “It’s made me gain weight,” she admits, with a sigh. “It’s called The 10lb Posting and I’ve certainly gained at least that.

On Tuesday, November 5th – election day – approaches, and I’ll be wide awake from 6am until 6pm the following day, that’s a full 36 hours without rest. I plan to position myself where the winning candidate will be, but it’s a risky guess who that might be. Wherever you find me, it’ll be where I thought the victory was going to take place, and you’ll get a good laugh when the results start rolling in, showing just how off-base my prediction was.

The outcome seems to be very close, almost too close to determine a clear winner on the same night. If Harris emerges victorious, there’s a strong suspicion that Trump may refuse to accept it. This could lead to an unprecedented number of legal disputes. Already, documents have been prepared and are ready to be filed at a moment’s notice. Trump’s team is expected to be more organized this time around, with their challenges potentially lasting longer than they did four years ago.

There’s a possibility we might find ourselves stuck in a legal quagmire by the inauguration on January 20th. If this occurs, I must admit I’m unsure of what follows, as it has been constitutionally required since 1933 for the President to be sworn in on that specific date.

She nods her head once more, arms open wide. Already, so many astonishing episodes in this election, undoubtedly with plenty more still on the horizon.

2024-10-31 18:09

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