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MSNBC host Chris Hayes erupted in frustration on Friday after new polls indicated that former President Donald Trump could secure a victory in the Electoral College, despite trailing Vice President Kamala Harris in the national popular vote. Hayes, the anchor of “All In with Chris Hayes,” took to social media to criticize the Electoral College, calling it a “suicide pact” in a scathing post.
The latest polling data, released by prominent pollster Nate Silver, showed Trump leading in the Electoral College while Harris would win the popular vote if the election were held today. The poll highlighted Trump’s advantage in crucial battleground states, particularly Pennsylvania, where Harris’s decision to bypass popular Governor Josh Shapiro for the vice-presidential slot could be affecting her standing.
In his social media post, Hayes invoked a quote from Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson, who in 1949 warned about the potential for the Bill of Rights to become a “suicide pact” if not interpreted with practical wisdom. Hayes used this reference to argue that the Electoral College system, which many progressive Democrats view as antiquated and flawed, could lead to disastrous outcomes, such as Trump’s potential return to the White House.
“This system is a wildly dangerous institution that undermines democracy and creates convoluted mechanisms susceptible to manipulation by bad actors,” Hayes wrote. His comments were a reaction to Silver’s election model, which shows Trump gaining traction in the Electoral College despite his lower national approval ratings.
The criticism of the Electoral College is not new but has gained renewed attention in light of the recent polls. Hayes has previously condemned the system as “outdated,” arguing that it perpetuates Republican dominance in presidential elections despite shifts in the national electorate. He contends that if the Electoral College were not embedded in the Constitution, it would be deemed unconstitutional due to its perceived unfairness.
Hayes’ outburst also comes in the wake of similar criticisms from other progressive voices, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who has described the Electoral College as a “scam.” Hayes’ commentary aligns with this view, reflecting broader discontent with a system that many believe no longer serves the democratic ideal of one person, one vote.
The debate over the Electoral College highlights the ongoing tension in American politics between traditional systems and calls for electoral reform. While the system remains a fixture of U.S. presidential elections, its critics argue that it increasingly fails to reflect the will of the majority, leading to calls for a more equitable approach to electing the nation’s president.