The Facts
Former US Pres. Donald Trump suffered another setback to his 2024 presidential election bid on Thursday after Maine's chief election official removed him from the state's primary ballot, citing Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which bars anyone who has "engaged in insurrection or rebellion" from holding office.
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows ruled the Republican favorite ineligible due to his actions leading up to the Jan. 6 US Capitol riot in 2021.
The Spin
Pro-Trump narrative
Democrats are playing the system to choke democracy in the US. Their hatred for Donald Trump is blinding them to the consequences of such political manipulation, as they attempt to paint Trump as an insurrectionist despite him having not even been found guilty of such a crime. Maine's ruling has only ensured that the 2024 election race has become ever more toxic.
Anti-Trump narrative
For all the victimhood Trump — or his supporters — will claim following Maine's decision, the fundamental fact is that Donald Trump weaponized his presidency to short-circuit America's most important democratic exercise. The consequences of his actions are now on display before the whole world, and he must not be allowed to return to the all-important position of president.