Michelle Obama to Trump: 'You do not keep American democracy in suspense'

First lady Michelle Obama came out swinging against Donald Trump on Thursday after the Republican presidential nominee said during the final debate that he will keep the country “in suspense” over whether he will contest the election results if he loses to Hillary Clinton on Nov. 8.

“When a presidential candidate threatens to ignore our voices and reject the outcome of this election, he is threatening the very idea of America itself,” Obama said during a campaign rally in Phoenix. “We cannot stand for that. You do not keep American democracy in suspense.”


The first lady’s comments came hours after Trump doubled down on his assertion that he may not concede the election if he is defeated. During a campaign rally in Ohio, Trump told a crowd that he “will totally accept the results of this great and historic presidential election — if I win.”

He later said he would accept a “clear election result,” but added that he would reserve his right to file a legal challenge in the event of a questionable outcome.