In a recent interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker, Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) expressed strong reservations about accepting the 2024 presidential election results, highlighting ongoing concerns about election integrity. When asked if he would accept the results no matter the outcome, Rubio responded, “No matter what happens? No! If it’s an unfair election, I think it’s going to be contested by each side.”
Welker pressed Rubio further, asking if he would accept the results regardless of the winner. Rubio deflected, criticizing Democrats for challenging past Republican victories and citing examples where Democrats questioned election legitimacy, including Hillary Clinton’s statements about the 2016 election and actions taken by Democrats regarding the 2004 Ohio vote electors.
Rubio also reiterated his stance that certain practices, such as the use of illegal dropboxes in Wisconsin and alleged vote-buying in Georgia, undermine public confidence in elections. He criticized the media’s handling of the Biden laptop story in 2020, arguing that censorship of the story contributed to doubts about election fairness.
Welker reminded Rubio of his past statements advocating for confidence in the election process and his vote to certify the 2020 election results. Rubio acknowledged his certification vote but insisted that significant issues with the election process still needed to be addressed. The exchange ended with Rubio and Welker talking over each other, with Rubio implying that NBC’s refusal to cover certain topics and alleged censorship were part of the problem.
RUBIO: Hillary Clinton said the election was stolen from her, and that Trump was illegitimate. Kamala Harris agreed.
WELKER: But she conceded. Senator, she conceded the election. Senator, she conceded the election.
RUBIO: She said that, no — she said that Trump was illegitimate. She said that the election had been stolen. Kamala Harris agreed. By the way, there are Democrats serving in Congress today who, in 2004, voted not to certify the Ohio vote electors —
WELKER: Senator —
RUBIO: — because they said those machines had been tampered with. And you have Democrats now saying they won’t certify 2024 because Trump is an insurrectionist and ineligible to hold office. You need to ask them. Have you ever asked the Democrats this question on this show?
WELKER: Senator, senator —
RUBIO: I bet you’ve never asked a Democrat that question.
WELKER: Senator, you voted to certify the 2020 election and here is what you said on that day you voted to certify the election.
RUBIO ON TAPE: Democracy is held together by people with confidence in the election, and their willingness to abide by its results.
WELKER: So by your own definition, are Donald Trump’s claims undermining Americans’ confidence in democracy? Given that he has not conceded the last election, and he just said in recent days twice that he won Minnesota, senator.
RUBIO: I think what undermines people’s confidence in the election is when you have places like Wisconsin, with over 500 illegal dropbox locations. When you have places like Georgia, where liberal groups are paying people $10 per vote —
WELKER: Senator —
RUBIO: No, but listen, what undermines elections is when Meet The — NBC News, and every major news outlet in the country in 2020 censored the Biden laptop story, which turned out to be true. Not Russian misinformation. Unprecedented. You couldn’t even talk about it on social media, they would deplatform you.
WELKER: Sssssssssss—
RUBIO: People look at all this! They look at what happened in Arizona, 200,000 ballots —
WELKER: Senator, I have to jump in here. Senator, you voted to certify the election.
RUBIO: Because at that stage in the process, you have no option!
