1)
Hours after polls close Nov. 3, shortly after 2 a.m. Nov. 4, Trump falsely
claims he won. What was discussed in the campaign war rooms in both the Map
Room and in the EEOB? What did Trump say? What pressure was put on Fox execs,
DOJ officials, and political officials?
2) On
Nov. 4, did Trump privately tell others he knew he had lost? Did he suggest it
in any way? This is potentially a crucial point. Focus on conversations Trump
had on Nov. 4, 2020. "How the hell did we lose the vote to Joe
Biden?" Trump priv. asked Kellyanne Conway that day.
3)
Nov. 6. Giuliani arrives at Trump campaign HQ in Arlington. Starts to claim he
has countless affidavits about election fraud. What did he tell Trump's
lawyers? Did he put anything into motion? Later that day, Giuliani and others
in Oval. Discuss court strategy. What was said?
4)
Nov 7. AP declares Biden won. Trump erupts. McConnell stays cool, doesn't want
to rattle Trump. Has Cornyn priv tell Biden confidant Coons to not have Biden
call McConnell. "We're in a delicate situation," Cornyn told Coons.
"It won't help things if [Biden] is calling" McC.
5)
Nov. 7. Hope Hicks, others meet in Arlington. Wonder if Trump will concede, if
he can eventually find a way out of this. Stepien and several Trump advisers go
to see Trump a bit later and he brushes off talk of conceding. Giuliani at
"Four Seasons."
6)
Evening of Nov. 7. Trump furious in WH mtg. Trump pressures allies and advisers
to fight on, not waver. Dismisses talk of calmly working the courts, scowls at
talk of conceding. What did he say? Did he articulate plans to pick up
thousands of votes in various states? How so?
7)
Nov. 8, 2020. Trump ramps up his plans to fight Biden's victory. Sidney Powell,
Giuliani seen entering the WH together. What happened in that meeting? Nov. 9,
Trump seeks tighter grip on Cabinet. Meadows calls Sec. Esper. Says he's out,
not supporting Trump enough.
8)
Nov. 9. Pence team on edge. Want to show solidarity with Trump. Pence tweets,
"It ain't over til it's over" re: election. But priv., "Get him
the hell out of D.C. the hell out of Crazytown," Pence adviser Marty Obst
tells Marc Short, then Pence's chief.
9
Nov. 9. Pompeo meets privately with Milley. "The crazies are taking
over," he tells the chairman. At the time, Flynn, Powell, Giuliani,
Lindell gaining traction with Trump in calls, meetings. "He's in a very
dark place right now," Pompeo tells Milley, speaking of Trump.
10)
Nov. 10. Intel officials alarmed following Esper firing. What is Trump up to?
What is going on? "We are on the way to a right-wing coup," CIA's
Haspel tells Milley. Nov. 10. Hicks, Trump in Oval. "I don't care about my
legacy," he tells her. "My people expect me to fight."
11)
Nov. 11, seeks more influence at DOJ. Meadows floats Kash Patel becoming deputy
FBI director. "Over my dead body," Barr tells him. Nov. 12. DHS CISA
states election "most secure" in history. Trump erupts. Chris Krebs
fired. What did Trump say? Did he pressure officials?
12)
Nov. 19. Sidney and Rudy at RNC. Push false conspiracy theory of foreign
influence on the U.S. election. John McEntee begins to assert himself inside
admin, West Wing, pushing aides to be loyal as Trump makes wild claims. Some
begin to resign, others stay.
13)
Dec. 14. Electors cast ballots. A turning point. After weeks of wandering
around and conspiracy theories, and losing court battles, things are grim
inside the Trump WH. Many House Rs back "friend of court" brief
backing TX lawsuit asking SC to block some states' counts...
14)
Mid-December: Sidney Powell begins pushing Trump to issue an executive order to
take control of the vote count, culminating in infamous Dec. 18, 2020 meeting
featuring a large group of aides, shouting over whether Powell should be
brought into WH, voting machines seized...
15)
Mid-to-late December: relations between Giuliani and Powell fray. Barr
dismisses idea of appointing a special counsel. Trump irate. Don't worry,
Giuliani and others assured him, we still have another play. Mike Pence.
16)
Late December. Pence under pressure. Talks to Quayle, his lawyers. What can he
do? Turns out, nothing. But plays out his deliberation. Several members of
Congress wonder what they can do. Several Trump allies tell them to talk to
someone developing a memo. John Eastman.
17)
Dec. 30, 2020. An escalation. Talk becomes action. Sen. Hawley announces he
will object. Other GOP senators sign on to object, movement to do the same in
the House grows... That same day, "JANUARY SIXTH, SEE YOU IN DC!"
Trump tweets.
18)
Dec. 30, 2020. Bannon speaks privately with Trump by phone. "You've got to
return to Washington and make a dramatic return today... You've got to call
Pence off the fucking ski slopes and get him back here today. This is a
crisis." "We're going to bury Biden on Jan. 6."
19)
Early Jan.
Fever
pitch.
Jan.
2-Eastman memo circulates
Jan.
3-Pence meets with Sen. parliamentarian. Clarifies he has no authority.
Jan.
4-Trump pressures Pence in Oval. Eastman there.
Jan.
5-Trump 1-on-1 with Pence in Oval.
Meanwhile,
Willard war room takes charge...
20/end-ultimately,
CBS hears special counsel is looking closely at key junctures in post-election
period where Trump spoke about his intent to overturn the election and how he
explained his plan to do so, with all pressure points explored. Investigating
an alleged conspiracy.