It is unsurprising that, after a contentious election season, the nation as a whole is unable to “come together” in a sense of unity. The division that existed well before the 2020 campaign cycle was destined to grow as the country deals with a public health crisis and economic uncertainty on top of partisan politics. Any hope for post-election calm was quickly erased by two main things: President Trump’s insistence that the election was stolen and the Left’s call for unification in light of Joe Biden’s win.

In the three weeks since voters went to the polls, Trump and his team have made numerous claims about the integrity of the election. It is perfectly acceptable for the losing candidate to request recounts, if warranted. Furthermore, legitimate claims of voter fraud deserve investigation, even if they wouldn’t change the election outcome. But the president has gone further than that by claiming that he has won the election. This is only wishful thinking. His statements do real harm to a fractured nation that is desperate to move beyond this chapter. His behavior isn’t merely frustrating; it’s harmful. The United States prides itself on the peaceful transfer of power and the notion that everyone’s vote counts even if the incumbent doesn’t like the results. He is beclowning himself to the very end.