Former President Donald Trump has intensified his extensive campaign against the credibility of US elections as the 2024 presidential race reaches its crucial phase. Over the recent months, Trump has propagated a series of false statements about ballots, vote-counting, and the election process, all aimed at sowing doubt about a potential loss in November.
Nonpartisan experts on democracy have identified emerging threats similar to those observed before the 2020 election, where Trump promulgated numerous election lies and conspiracy theories. This strategy ultimately led to the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol. Given the current climate, there are concerns that the stage is being set again for similar actions if the election does not go in Trump’s favour.
False Claim: Harris Can Only Win Through Cheating
For months, Trump has insisted that he has sufficient votes to win the 2024 election, suggesting that any loss would result solely from Democratic fraud. At a rally in Arizona, he remarked, ‘The only way they can do anything is if they cheat like hell’. He reiterated similar sentiments in North Carolina and Michigan, claiming that his primary focus is to prevent cheating rather than increasing voter turnout.
Facts First: This assertion is unfounded. Vice President Kamala Harris could feasibly win the election legitimately. While Trump may also secure a legitimate victory, his claim of having ‘all the votes’ needed to win is not verifiable at the time of his statements.
False Claim: Replacing Biden with Harris was ‘Unconstitutional’
Trump has labeled the replacement of Biden with Harris as the Democratic nominee as an ‘unconstitutional coup’, claiming Biden’s presidency was unlawfully taken from him. He made this argument several times in August, contending that the change was illicit.
Facts First: The claims are baseless. Biden’s withdrawal and Harris’s subsequent nomination were entirely legal processes. Biden exited the race before the official Democratic nomination, and Harris faced no legal challenges getting onto the ballot. The decision was political, not a ‘coup’.
False Claim: Voting by Non-Citizens is Widespread
Trump and his allies assert that non-citizens voting will be a significant issue in the 2024 election. This claim is central in the proposed legislation by Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson, which ultimately failed.
Facts First: This claim is categorically false. Non-citizen voting is illegal in federal elections and occurs infrequently. Various safeguards prevent this issue from affecting election outcomes. Data from the Heritage Foundation reports fewer than 100 instances of non-citizens voting from 2002 to 2022. Effective measures are in place to ensure electoral integrity.
False Claim: The US Postal Service Admitted Its Inefficiency
In mid-September, Trump claimed the US Postal Service (USPS) admitted to being ‘a poorly run mess’ and incapable of managing the 2024 Presidential Election. He raised doubts about the USPS’s ability to handle mail-in ballots effectively.
Facts First: This is incorrect. The USPS never made such an admission. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy dismissed these claims, confirming USPS’s preparedness for the election. The USPS has measures like extra deliveries, ‘after-hours’ drop-offs, and processing facility extensions to ensure timely ballot delivery. No evidence supports the idea that USPS labeled itself as inefficient.
Trump’s recent claims about the 2024 election mirror many of his previous unfounded statements from the 2020 election cycle. The persistence of these narratives raises significant concerns about the potential impact on the upcoming election’s integrity.
A thorough examination of these claims reveals a consistent pattern of misinformation aimed at undermining public confidence in the electoral process. It is imperative to approach these assertions critically and rely on factual evidence to maintain a fair and transparent election process.
Trump’s recent claims about the 2024 election mirror many of his previous unfounded statements from the 2020 election cycle. The persistence of these narratives raises significant concerns about the potential impact on the upcoming election’s integrity.
A thorough examination of these claims reveals a consistent pattern of misinformation aimed at undermining public confidence in the electoral process. It is imperative to approach these assertions critically and rely on factual evidence to maintain a fair and transparent election process.
