Fact Check: 2020 election was stolen

The Claim: "2020 Election Was Stolen"

Introduction

The assertion that the 2020 United States presidential election was "stolen" has been a prominent narrative among supporters of former President Donald Trump. This claim suggests widespread voter fraud and irregularities that purportedly altered the election outcome in favor of President Joe Biden. The claim has been widely circulated and debated, leading to numerous investigations, court cases, and public discourse surrounding the integrity of the election process.

What We Know

1. Election Results: Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election with 306 electoral votes to Donald Trump's 232, and Biden received over 81 million popular votes compared to Trump's 74 million 5.

2. Fraud Claims: Multiple claims of voter fraud were made by Trump and his allies, including allegations of illegal votes, ballot tampering, and improper voting procedures. However, these claims have been consistently rejected by courts, state officials, and independent fact-checkers 28.

3. Court Rulings: Over 60 lawsuits challenging the election results were filed by Trump and his supporters, most of which were dismissed due to lack of evidence. Courts found that the claims did not meet the legal standards required to prove fraud or misconduct 210.

4. Fact-Checking Reports: Various fact-checking organizations, including the BBC, Reuters, and PolitiFact, have published extensive analyses debunking the major fraud claims. For instance, a comprehensive report by PBS concluded that there was little evidence to support the assertion of widespread voter fraud 810.

5. Public Perception: Despite the lack of evidence, a significant portion of the American public continues to believe that the election was stolen, influenced by ongoing rhetoric from political leaders and media figures 9.

Analysis

The claim that the 2020 election was stolen is supported primarily by anecdotal evidence and unverified assertions. The sources that promote this narrative often lack rigorous verification and are sometimes associated with political agendas. For example, the film "2000 Mules," which claims to provide evidence of voter fraud, has been criticized for its methodology and lack of credible evidence 2.

Source Reliability

• Mainstream Media: Outlets like the BBC and PBS have a reputation for journalistic integrity and thorough fact-checking. Their reports on the 2020 election fraud claims are based on extensive investigations and expert opinions, making them reliable sources 18.

• Fact-Checking Organizations: Organizations such as PolitiFact and AFP Fact Check are dedicated to verifying claims and have consistently found that allegations of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election are unfounded 710. Their methodologies involve cross-referencing claims with official data and expert analysis.

• Political Bias: Some sources that support the claim of a stolen election may have inherent biases or conflicts of interest, particularly those aligned with specific political agendas. This includes certain social media platforms and partisan news outlets that amplify unverified claims without substantial evidence.

Methodological Concerns

Many of the claims regarding voter fraud rely on anecdotal evidence or isolated incidents rather than comprehensive data analysis. For instance, allegations often stem from individual testimonies or unverified reports rather than systematic investigations that account for the scale of the election 47. A more robust approach would involve comprehensive audits of voting processes and outcomes, which have not shown significant discrepancies.

Conclusion

Verdict: False

The claim that the 2020 presidential election was "stolen" is unsupported by credible evidence. Key findings include the overwhelming dismissal of fraud allegations by courts, the lack of substantiated claims from reputable fact-checking organizations, and the consistent affirmation of the election results by state officials. While a significant portion of the public continues to believe in this narrative, it is primarily fueled by misinformation and anecdotal accounts rather than factual substantiation.

It is important to recognize that while the evidence against the claim is robust, the persistence of belief in the narrative highlights the complexities of public perception and misinformation. The limitations of available evidence stem from the nature of the claims, which often rely on unverified sources and anecdotal testimonies rather than systematic investigations.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information and consider the sources and evidence behind claims, especially those that challenge established facts. Engaging with reliable information is essential for informed discourse and understanding of electoral integrity.

Sources

1. BBC. "US election 2020: Fact-checking Trump team's main fraud claims." Link
2. Reuters. "Fact Check: Does '2000 Mules' provide evidence of voter fraud in the 2020 US presidential election?" Link
3. BBC. "How US election fraud claims changed as Trump won." Link
4. BBC. "US election 2020: Five viral vote claims fact-checked." Link
5. Wikipedia. "Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election." Link
6. BBC. "Voter fraud claims flood social media before US election." Link
7. AFP Fact Check. "False claims of 2020 US election fraud." Link
8. PBS. "Exhaustive fact check finds little evidence of voter fraud, but 2020's big lie lives on." Link
9. PBS. "Fact check: Trump's 2024 win doesn’t prove claims that the 2020 election was stolen." Link
10. PolitiFact. "Fact-checking false claims about the 2020 election." Link