Former Republican National Committee (RNC) chairman Michael Steele has expressed his skepticism towards former President Donald Trump's recent comments regarding the integrity of elections. Steele's remarks came in response to an interview with Time magazine, where Trump stated that he may not accept the results of the 2024 presidential election if he loses to Democratic President Joe Biden.

During his campaign stop in Wisconsin, Trump told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he would accept the results of the 2024 election if he believed it was conducted honestly. However, he also added that he would fight for the right of the country if he suspected any discrepancies.

Steele, now a co-host on MSNBC's The Weekend, questioned Trump's motives in questioning the fairness of U.S. elections. He expressed doubt in Trump's claims, stating that labeling one's own election as the least honest and most corrupt in history exposes the fallacy of the former president's argument. Steele went further to suggest that the comments stem from Trump's fear of losing, which strikes at the core of his ego.

In response to Steele's criticisms, Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump, accused "Never Trumpers" of suffering from "Trump Derangement Syndrome." Cheung insisted that integrity in elections is crucial and defended Trump's stance.

Trump has repeatedly claimed that the 2020 presidential election was stolen due to widespread voter fraud, despite no evidence supporting this claim. He also made false assertions about winning the state of Wisconsin, where President Biden secured victory by over 20,000 votes.

Steele, who chaired the RNC from 2009 to 2011, addressed both the MSNBC panel and the camera, affirming that if Trump fails to win, it is because more people voted against him than for him. He emphasized that the electoral system confirms this reality.

Trump's insistence on questioning election integrity has raised concerns, particularly after having faced legal challenges himself. Trump became the first former U.S. president to stand trial in a criminal case, with a case relating to alleged falsifying of business records during his 2016 presidential campaign. He has denied all charges, claiming they are politically motivated.

In addition, Trump has faced indictment for his alleged role in attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election and inciting the events of the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot. Trump has pleaded not guilty to these charges as well.

Meanwhile, a recent poll conducted by Redfield & Wilton Strategies exclusively for Newsweek indicates that voters perceive both Trump and Biden as running competitive 2024 campaigns. The survey found that 37 percent believe Trump is currently running the best campaign, while 36 percent think Biden is, despite disruptions to Trump's campaign schedule due to his ongoing criminal trial.

As the 2024 presidential election approaches, discussions around election integrity continue to be at the forefront of public discourse. While some politicians express concerns about the system, others emphasize the importance of accepting election results based on the democratic process.

Update 5/4/24, 3:07 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment from Trump's spokesperson, Steven Cheung.