PODCAST:Today, Explained
TITLE:Will Trump be on your ballot?
DATE:2024-01-04 00:00:00
URL:
MODEL:gpt-4-gizmo
The January 4, 2024 episode of "Today Explained," titled "Will Trump be on your ballot," explored the legal and political challenges surrounding former President Donald Trump's eligibility to run for president in 2024.
The episode began with a discussion about the efforts by a diverse group of activists and scholars to disqualify Trump from running for president again under the 14th Amendment, which prohibits individuals who engaged in insurrection from holding office. The Colorado Supreme Court had recently ruled that Trump was disqualified from appearing on the state's ballot, a decision that Trump's legal team appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Zack Montalero, a state politics reporter at Politico, provided insights into the legal battles in various states over Trump's eligibility. The Colorado case was significant as it was the first time a court ruled that Trump had engaged in insurrection and was, therefore, ineligible to be on the ballot. Maine had a similar ruling, while other states, like Michigan and Minnesota, allowed Trump on the primary ballot but didn't make a definitive ruling on his eligibility for the general election.
Ian Millhiser, a Supreme Court correspondent for Vox, discussed the potential outcomes of the Supreme Court case. He explained that the least likely outcome would be the Court affirming the Colorado decision, effectively ending Trump’s political career. A more likely scenario could be the Court delaying a decision until after Trump's criminal trial related to the 2020 election. Alternatively, the Court could find a way to keep Trump on the ballot without addressing the broader constitutional questions.
The episode touched on the parallels and differences between this case and the Bush v. Gore case from 2000, noting that the current situation is more complex and has broader implications. It concluded with a discussion on the potential impact of the Supreme Court's decision on American democracy and the enforceability of the 14th Amendment.
Overall, the episode provided a detailed analysis of the ongoing legal battles and the possible scenarios that could unfold as the 2024 presidential election approaches.
