Experts warn Trump ‘inventing fraud’ in California as president ramps up baseless claims | US news
US politics | The Guardian — 2026-06-09 05:00:00 — www.theguardian.com
Trump Escalates Baseless Fraud Claims in California’s Primary, Drawing Warnings from Democracy Advocates
Donald Trump is once again casting doubt on the legitimacy of election results, this time targeting California’s primary elections. As ballot counting continues in the nation’s most populous state, Trump has repeatedly claimed without evidence that the process is rigged, echoing a pattern of falsehoods and attacks that have defined his approach to electoral setbacks.
Trump’s Claims and Outbursts
Last week, Trump asserted that California’s elections were “under investigation by the US attorney’s office in Los Angeles,” but he provided no specifics about what was being investigated. He further alleged on Truth Social, “3rd World Nation. Rigged Elections! Now they’ll be working on great guy Steve Hilton. Won’t have results for, possibly, TWO WEEKS, according to officials.” In the Los Angeles mayor’s race, Trump insisted it was “not possible” that Republican Spencer Pratt could have lost after initially leading, despite the ongoing count shifting the lead to Democrat Nithya Raman.
During a Meet the Press interview, Trump lost his temper when pressed about his claims, storming out after telling journalist Kristen Welker, “You’re either crooked or you’re stupid. You play right into their hands with this crap. You know that these elections are rigged. Your network knows that they’re rigged.”
Pattern of Election Denial
Trump’s latest allegations in California mirror his longstanding playbook: when results do not favor him or his allies, he quickly declares the process fraudulent. This strategy has been seen before, from his Emmy losses as a reality TV star to his defeat in the 2020 presidential election. He has previously claimed fraud in the 2016 Iowa caucus, the Virginia redistricting election, and even the Emmy awards.
Election officials and democracy advocates have repeatedly debunked Trump’s claims. California’s secretary of state explained that the state’s large electorate and robust verification processes mean results take time, but the system is highly accurate. All eligible voters receive mail ballots, and the state allows a grace period for ballots to arrive and for voters to correct errors.
Experts Warn of Escalating Misinformation
Pro-democracy experts warn that Trump’s rhetoric is not only false but dangerous. Omar Noureldin of Common Cause stated, “The problem is that we have a president in the Oval Office who continues to lie and sow doubt over elections instead of facing accountability from voters.” Edgar Lin of Protect Democracy noted, “The president keeps inventing fraud in elections he loses. Now he’s aiming federal power at California’s locally run vote.”
With Trump’s administration now filled with loyalists and election deniers, and with fewer dissenting voices among congressional Republicans, experts fear that efforts to undermine election results could intensify. Trump has also suggested that the acting director of national intelligence could investigate supposed election issues, further amplifying his unfounded claims.
Conclusion
Trump’s baseless accusations about California’s primary are part of a broader pattern of election denial and misinformation. Despite repeated fact-checks and explanations from election officials, Trump continues to attack the legitimacy of results that do not favor him, rallying his supporters and rightwing media to spread similar messages. As the midterms unfold, democracy advocates urge vigilance and accountability, warning that the stakes for election integrity and public trust remain high.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/09/trump-election-california-fraud-claims