Michigan Senate Candidate, a Former Trump Critic, Shifts Toward Election Skepticism
NYT > U.S. > Politics — 2026-08-09 08:23:00 — www.nytimes.com
Trump Repeats False Claims of Election Fraud in Michigan, Amplifies Discredited Allegations
President Trump continues to assert baseless claims of widespread voter fraud in Michigan, repeating debunked allegations and casting doubt on the legitimacy of recent elections. In a recent speech, Trump said Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for Senate, had “a real shot” in a state he claimed was “riddled with voter fraud.” He warned supporters, “Get ready for another Rigged Election.”
Trump has also seized on former Representative Mike Rogers’s unproven claim that voting irregularities cost him a Senate seat in 2024, echoing accusations made by election deniers in 2020. At the Detroit Economic Club in January, Trump asserted Rogers “won” the Senate seat two years ago, adding, “I think they took that away from you last time. They rigged the election on you.” Trump’s remarks were promoted by Rogers on social media and used in fundraising appeals.
Despite these repeated assertions, there is no evidence to support Trump’s claims of a “voter fraud scheme” in Michigan or that ballots arriving in Detroit after Election Day “swung the election.” Michigan’s elections have been described as “safe, secure” by state officials, and Rogers never formally challenged the results through a recount or court filing.
Trump’s fixation on election fraud and his amplification of false claims have continued to shape the political landscape in Michigan. He has vowed to support legislation imposing nationwide voter identification and proof of citizenship requirements and limiting voting by mail, policies that align with his ongoing narrative of election insecurity.
As the November election approaches, Trump’s rhetoric remains a central force in Michigan politics, despite repeated fact-checks and official assurances that the state’s elections are fair and secure. His persistent promotion of falsehoods about voter fraud underscores the enduring impact of misinformation on public trust in the democratic process.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/09/us/politics/mike-rogers-michigan-senate-elections.html