Donald Trump plans to take power regardless of the presidential election results—and preparations for his “coup [are] already underway,” his niece has alleged.
Author Mary Trump, the daughter of Trump’s brother Fred, has long been a vocal critic of her famous uncle. She has accused him of suffering cognitive issues and being a compulsive liar, and she claimed this week that the former president has been laying the groundwork for a “coup” to return himself to the White House.
Newsweek reached out to representatives for Donald Trump seeking comment on his niece’s latest allegations.
Her coup claims have not been made in isolation. They echo the fears of many prominent politicians, military leaders and members of the public who were horrified by the events of January 6, 2021. Trump supporters stormed the Capitol after he lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden and then falsely implied the election had been rigged.
A Colorado judge later suggested that Donald Trump had committed an insurrection against the U.S. Constitution, while many of those who engaged in the rioting were jailed. In March, retired U.S. Admiral James Stavridis slammed Trump for repeatedly calling the convicted felons “hostages” and “patriots,” despite the rioters apparently trying to take power by force and overturn an election result.
Mary Trump speaks at the Hard Rock Cafe on January 20, 2023, in New York City. She has long been a vocal critic of her famous uncle.
Johnny Nunez/WireImage
Donald Trump has denied wrongdoing and claimed attempts to prosecute him for his alleged role were politically motivated and orchestrated by President Joe Biden’s administration. Despite facing charges for allegedly interfering in the 2020 election, Trump has instead claimed that it is the Democrats who are trying to cheat.
He has previously described Mary Trump as “a seldom seen niece who knows little about me,” and he is currently suing her for violating a non-disclosure agreement by speaking to journalists.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Mary Trump wrote: “Donald’s coup is already underway. His lies that the election is rigged against him undermine voters’ faith in free and fair elections. He wants to be back in the White House and feels no need to play by the rules. His followers feel the same way.”
Donald’s coup is already underway. His lies that the election is rigged against him undermine voters’ faith in free and fair elections. He wants to be back in the White House and feels no need to play by the rules. His followers feel the same way.https://t.co/sunb4pfqhs
— Mary L Trump (@MaryLTrump) September 24, 2024
Newsweek has reached out by email to Mary Trump via her publishers.
The post to her 1.7 million followers was shared by more than a thousand X users. Many replied in the comments agreeing with her assessment. “It’s been underway since 2020,” one said. “I am afraid he will do as he has done before,” another agreed, while a third added: “The man is the epitome of ‘Traitor’… he doesn’t care about America or his bamboozled flock, it’s all about Trump, all the time. His ONLY reason to run for President is to stay out of jail…”
But others disagreed with Mary Trump, and questioned her motives. “Sad Mary! Very jealous of Donald Trump,” one said. “Hi Mary. You need a real job,” added another. A third commentator told Trump’s niece: “It’s amazing that you’re a psychologist that became a political pundit, and that your primary role in both scopes is to discredit your famous family member (whom you need, by the way, to be successful in either role). You’re an absolute joke.”
The clock is ticking down to polling day, with the elections due to take place in November. Trump is facing off against Kamala Harris, with several surveys and polls suggesting that the outcome hangs on a knife edge.
