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Analysis: Things - like the Emmys - 'rigged' against Donald Trump

For a moment during Wednesday night's presidential debate in Las Vegas, Donald Trump completely proved the point Hillary Clinton was trying to make about him.

Specifically: That he's a sore loser who thinks any loss is due to foul play.

Let's go to the tape:

CLINTON: There was even a time when he didn't get an Emmy for his TV program three years in a row and he started tweeting that the Emmys were rigged against him.

TRUMP: Should have gotten it.

(LAUGHTER)

CLINTON: This is - this is a mindset. This is how Donald thinks. And it's funny, but it's also really troubling.

Point, Clinton.

And to be clear, she was treading on pretty fertile ground here. Trump often complains about being wronged when he doesn't win. It's a pattern.

The most poignant example right now, of course, is the presidential election. With polls showing him down big right now, Trump has taken to alleging massive yet-to-happen voter fraud and a media conspiracy against him. In the most high-profile moment of Wednesday night's debate, he declined to say whether he would accept the results of this election as legitimate.

"I will look at it at the time," Trump said, repeating the phrase twice and adding: "I'll keep you in suspense, OK?"

But if history is any indication, Trump will not accept that his loss was fair.

The Emmy example that Clinton cited - points for research - is a telling one. Trump did indeed tweet repeatedly that he had been wronged. He tweeted,

"The Emmys are all politics, that's why, despite nominations, The Apprentice never won - even though it should have many times over."

"Emmys telecast is way down & lowest telecast on record among young adults. Emmys have no credibility-Should have nominated Apprentice again!"

"'Amazing Race'" winning an Emmy again is a total joke. The Emmys have no credibility - no wonder the ratings are at record lows."

"Lots of people agree that the Emmys were a joke - got bad ratings - no credibility!"

"@ShawnGarrett I should have many Emmys for The Apprentice if the process were fair-in any event, it's not my day job"

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The Television Academy, which runs the Emmys, on Wednesday night responded to Trump's renewed claim to have been robbed this way, tweeting:

"Rest assured, the #Emmys are not rigged."

But this is par for course for Trump.

In a particularly remarkable example from Washington Post reporters Michael Kranish's and Marc Fisher's book on Trump this year, the Republican nominee reportedly objected to a study-mate having scored higher on a chemistry test, alleging cheating.

And then there was the 2012 election, in which Trump's preferred candidate, Mitt Romney - more recently, a Trump antagonist - was supposed to have been robbed.

"He lost the popular vote by a lot and won the election," Trump tweeted, despite President Barack Obama's having won the popular vote by several points. "We should have a revolution in this country!" Trump tweeted:

"We can't let this happen. We should march on Washington and stop this travesty. Our nation is totally divided!"

"Lets fight like hell and stop this great and disgusting injustice! The world is laughing at us."

"This election is a total sham and a travesty. We are not a democracy!"

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There was also the "rigged" GOP establishment in the primaries - even at a time when Trump was on his way to the nomination.

"The bosses are trying to run it," he told CNN. "It's a rigged party. The bosses want to pick whoever they want to pick. The voters wouldn't stand for it."

Despite his campaign's assurances that he would accept the results of the election, Trump has made clear that's far from a foregone conclusion.

And from Trump, that should not really be a surprise.

Trump on accepting election results: 'I will tell you at the time'

AP FACT CHECK: Trump, Clinton and their debate claims

Analysis: Trump needed debate reset, instead riles GOP

That time Trump refused to say he'll accept election result

Fox's Wallace asks precise follow-up that makes news

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