Nicolai Haugsted
The president keeps holding on to his nonsensical opinion.
Donald Trump’s long-running battle over the 2020 election is once again dominating parts of the American political conversation — and not just at campaign rallies.
Fresh reporting from Reuters shows the US president has repeated false claims about the 2020 election more than 100 times over the last six months, even while juggling mounting international pressure linked to Iran and growing political tension ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
According to the report, Trump has continued raising allegations of election fraud during meetings with foreign leaders, White House holiday events and public appearances across the country. Comments have also flooded his Truth Social account in repeated bursts.
One weekend in April, while ceasefire negotiations involving Iran were unfolding, Trump reportedly posted seven separate messages alleging the 2020 election had been stolen from him.
“It’s a Rigged Vote”
Reuters describes how Trump brought the subject up again during a recent White House picnic with lawmakers and once more before boarding Air Force One.
“If we had Jesus Christ come down and count the votes, I would have won California,” Trump said.
“But it’s a rigged vote.”
Multiple courts, election officials and independent reviews have previously found no evidence of widespread fraud in the 2020 election. Joe Biden defeated Trump in both the Electoral College and the popular vote.
Despite that, Trump’s claims continue to resonate strongly among Republican voters.
Reuters cited an April Reuters/Ipsos poll showing that 63 percent of Republican voters still believe the 2020 election was stolen from Trump.
Midterms Now at the Centre
Election experts interviewed by Reuters argue Trump’s repeated focus on 2020 is no longer simply about relitigating the past.
Several analysts believe the rhetoric is increasingly tied to preparations for the upcoming congressional elections.
“He’s not looking back; this is about the midterms,” said Alexandra Chandler from the nonpartisan organisation Protect Democracy.
“He’s trying to create a fog of disinformation with this. So then if he dials it up further with federal interference, the public will not react as surprised.”
Trump has simultaneously pushed stricter voting rules, criticised mail-in voting and supported proof-of-citizenship requirements for elections.
Reuters also noted that administration officials previously explored banning voting machines used across large parts of the United States while discussing broader federal control over election systems.
Some Republicans Push Back
Not every Republican has followed Trump’s approach.
Former Arizona governor Jan Brewer criticised the continued election claims during comments to Reuters.
“All the accusations that have been made have all been refuted, but he doesn’t want to listen,” Brewer said.
Outgoing Louisiana senator Bill Cassidy also used his concession speech after losing a Republican primary to indirectly challenge Trump’s rhetoric.
“When you participate in democracy, sometimes it doesn’t turn out the way you want it to,” Cassidy said.
“But you don’t pout. You don’t whine. You don’t claim the election was stolen.”
