Trump refuses to say if he'll accept results of US elections

WASHINGTON — Threatening to upend a fundamental pillar of American democracy, Donald Trump refused to say in debate that he will accept the results of next month's election if he loses to Hillary Clinton. The Democratic nominee declared Trump's resistance "horrifying."

Trump had spent the days leading up to the third and final presidential debate warning voters that the election would be "rigged." Asked Wednesday evening whether he would accept the outcome if Clinton emerges victorious, he said: "I will tell you at the time. I'll keep you in suspense."

Some Republicans recoiled at Trump's startling statement. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham said his party's nominee was doing the country a "great disservice" by suggesting the election is rigged and Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake called Trump's comments "beyond the pale."

Trump's assertions raise the prospect that millions of his supporters may not accept the results on November 8 if he loses, thrusting the nation into uncharted territory. Free and fair elections, with the vanquished peacefully stepping aside for the victor, have been the underpinning of America's democratic tradition since the country's founding 240 years ago.