"There won't be a transfer of power; frankly, there'll be a continuation."

When asked what he would do to keep the peace if he loses the US presidential election to Joe Biden in November, Donald Trump rejected the question.

The president is not one to countenance even the possibility of defeat, but for some his words went past bluster into the realm of the sinister. "The ballots are a disaster," he said. "We want to get rid of the ballots."

By ballots, he did not mean all votes; he was referring to postal votes, which many assume will favour Biden, his Democrat challenger.

Trump has already predicted "the most inaccurate and fraudulent election in history". Now, some fear he may use this accusation to cling to power. They think he could challenge the result if his lead vanishes when postal ballots are counted.

He may even have the power to stop the count legally if the Supreme Court supports him.

In 2000, the court ruled that Florida should stop its recount and award its electoral collegeDuring a US presidential election, people vote for electoral college members to represent their state. The number of electoral college votes depends on the population of the state. Then, the members of the electoral college vote to elect the next president. votes to Republican George W Bush rather than Al Gore, ensuring Bush's victory. Trump, some argue, is aiming for a courtroom drama sequel. He has already mootedBrought up or raised the possibility. As a noun, moot also means a meeting place and is used as the name for a mock trial by lawyers. the prospect himself.

This is why a recent kerfuffleAn argument or a row. To "fuffle" is an old Scottish word meaning to mess up. over Republicans' move to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has scared many Democrats. Some fear that with six of the nine judges on his side Trump will act egregiouslyOutrageous or shocking. It literally means in a manner that places one outside of the flock or herd. Compare it to the word "gregarious", meaning sociable and coming from the same word for flock. to stay in office.

While others dismiss talk of such a judicial coupWhen an individual or group takes control of government by illegal means, including by violence. as a fantasy, Trump's attack on postal ballots has had real enough effects. Already, Pennsylvania Republicans are preparing to challenge their validity in this crucial swing stateSome states in the US tend to always vote for the same party, whereas others, such as Pennsylvania, change sides often. Such states then become the focus of the campaign..

Some even fear that Trump's supporters may act violently to suppress votes, or refuse to accept that he has lost if that is the result.

In a nation that in this year alone has seen anti-police riots, violence from far-right counterprotesters and an armed militia storming the Michigan State House, the prospect of political violence is hardly far-fetched.

The USA may not seem much like Ukraine. Still, some are looking abroad to find parallels, preferring that to the US past, where comparisons with the Civil War or the 1877 compromise are unlikely to cheer observers.

In 2014, Ukrainian voters took to the streets to protest when president Victor Yanukovych refused to accept the election results. The resulting chaos ushered him out of power, but not before violent clashes in the streets. In Belarus, where similar protests are now ongoing, there have been mass arrests.

Fears of a comparable situation could evaporate on election night if either man wins decisively, but the US president, as is his way, is not doing anything to mollify either his supporters or his opponents.

Yes, he will, say some. Trump is trailing in the polls, so he has to muddy the waters. Looking at his statements, and at what has been happening at the US post office, it is clear that he is preparing to contest the result. He has been laying the groundwork for a legal challenge, counting on a close election and the precedent of Bush v. Gore to bring him a second term.

No, he won't, say others. Trump loves to act up for the media, but his most shocking statements rarely translate into action(s). He was unable to fire Robert Mueller, for example. Additionally, there is no guarantee that even a Republican court would risk their reputation on keeping him in power. Stoking enthusiasm among his supporters is a more likely Trump objective than overthrowing a US political institution.

Electoral College - During a US presidential election, people vote for electoral college members to represent their state. The number of electoral college votes depends on the population of the state. Then, the members of the electoral college vote to elect the next president.

Mooted - Brought up or raised the possibility. As a noun, moot also means a meeting place and is used as the name for a mock trial by lawyers.

Kerfuffle - An argument or a row. To "fuffle" is an old Scottish word meaning to mess up.

Egregiously - Outrageous or shocking. It literally means in a manner that places one outside of the flock or herd. Compare it to the word "gregarious", meaning sociable and coming from the same word for flock.

Coup - When an individual or group takes control of government by illegal means, including by violence.

Swing state - Some states in the US tend to always vote for the same party, whereas others, such as Pennsylvania, change sides often. Such states then become the focus of the campaign.