The president looked defiant. I continued, “I’ve told you that the fraud claims are not supported…And others have also told you this. But your legal team continues to shovel this shit out to the American people. And it is wrong.”

The president motioned toward the TV. “Have you listened to any of these hearings?” he asked.

“No, I haven’t, Mr. President,” I said, “but I am familiar with the allegations.”

The president leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest, rocking a little from side to side, staring at me, his face getting redder. He was seething but appeared willing to let me continue. “Your legal team keeps publicly saying ‘fraud,’ but their arguments in courts don’t claim fraud,” I said. “They’re really saying the state didn’t follow the rules…But that is not the same as evidence of fraud.”

“There is a mountain of evidence,” President Trump protested, gesturing to the hearing on TV.

“Mr. President,” I said, “the reason you are in this position is that, instead of having a crackerjack legal team that had its shit together from day one, you wheeled out a clown show, and no quality lawyers who would otherwise be willing to help will get anywhere near it.”