Trump revives election fraud claims ahead of US midterms

US President Donald Trump revived unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud and Chinese election meddling in a primetime White House address on Thursday. He urged lawmakers to pass new voting restrictions ahead of November's midterms, though the measures have found little support even within his own Republican Party.

What did Trump say about China and US elections?

Trump said he was declassifying intelligence showing China had illicitly obtained 220 million American voter files. He described it as the largest compromise of US election data in history, occurring over several years starting with the 2020 election cycle. He offered no evidence beyond the declassification claim itself.

What other voter fraud claims did Trump make?

Trump claimed more than 250,000 non-US citizens were registered to vote across four states. Referring to his 2020 defeat by Joe Biden, he said "we can never watch a stolen election again." That claim has never been substantiated: more than 60 lawsuits produced no ruling establishing fraud capable of changing the outcome, and recounts, audits and his own Justice Department found none.

Why did Trump attack ABC and NBC?

Trump criticized US broadcasters that declined to interrupt programming to air his speech live, naming ABC and NBC directly. He baselessly implied the networks were involved in election-rigging attempts, calling it part of "a plot." He said such conduct should mean "a revocation of their licenses."

How have experts and Democrats responded?

Election law expert Rick Hasen of UCLA called the address a repackaging of "same old unsupported, and surprisingly weak" claims, adding it was unlikely to change how US elections are run. Senate Democrat Dick Durbin described the speech as a dangerous attempt to resurrect disproven lies before a single midterm vote is cast. Former Trump White House lawyer Ty Cobb said the address appeared aimed at building a case for declaring an election emergency, calling immigration officers at polling places a "virtual certainty."

What is the SAVE America Act?

Trump has been pressing lawmakers to pass the SAVE America Act before the midterms, though the bill has little appetite even among Republicans. It would require proof of citizenship to register, a step already mandated under existing federal and state law, along with photo identification at polling places and new limits on mail-in ballots. Democrats accuse Trump of using the push to undermine confidence ahead of an election where Republicans risk losing control of Congress.

Has Trump accepted his 2020 election defeat?

Trump has never accepted his 2020 loss. Months afterward, he urged supporters to Washington before a mob stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, an event for which he was later impeached for alleged incitement. He could face a third impeachment trial if Democrats retake the House. Thursday's address devoted little time to the Iran war or the economy, issues polling suggests voters care about more.