Fact Check: Did Trump Steal Last Elections?
What We Know
The claim that Donald Trump "stole" the 2020 election is rooted in allegations of widespread voter fraud and irregularities. However, extensive investigations and legal challenges have consistently found no substantial evidence to support these claims. According to a detailed analysis by Russell Wheeler, out of 62 lawsuits filed by Trump and his allies challenging the election results, 61 were dismissed, indicating a failure rate of over 98% (source-1). This assessment is corroborated by various sources, including a comprehensive review by the Campaign Legal Center, which noted that judges across the political spectrum rejected claims of illegal voting and fraud (source-6).
Additionally, members of the Republican Party have expressed varying degrees of skepticism regarding Trump's claims. While some have supported him, many have publicly acknowledged the legitimacy of the election results (source-2). Furthermore, independent fact-checking organizations have consistently debunked claims of significant electoral fraud, reinforcing the conclusion that the 2020 election was conducted fairly and without widespread irregularities (source-8).
Analysis
The assertion that Trump "stole" the election is not supported by credible evidence. The overwhelming majority of legal challenges brought forth by Trump were dismissed due to lack of merit. For instance, Wheeler's analysis highlights that only one out of 44 federal judicial votes favored Trump, emphasizing the judiciary's rejection of his claims (source-1). This indicates a strong consensus among judges, including those appointed by Trump himself, that the evidence presented was insufficient to substantiate claims of fraud.
Moreover, the Campaign Legal Center's report details how courts across the United States systematically evaluated and dismissed claims of election fraud, further supporting the conclusion that the election results were legitimate (source-6). The lack of credible evidence and the high rate of dismissal of lawsuits suggest that the narrative of a "stolen" election is more a product of political rhetoric than a reflection of reality.
While some individuals and groups continue to propagate the idea of a stolen election, it is crucial to assess the reliability of these claims critically. Many of the sources promoting this narrative lack rigorous fact-checking and often rely on anecdotal evidence rather than comprehensive investigations.
Conclusion
The claim that Donald Trump "stole" the last elections is False. The extensive legal challenges mounted by Trump and his allies were overwhelmingly dismissed by courts, and credible investigations found no evidence of widespread voter fraud. The judiciary's consistent rejection of these claims, coupled with bipartisan acknowledgment of the election's legitimacy, reinforces the conclusion that the 2020 election was conducted fairly.
Sources
- Trump's judicial campaign to upend the 2020 election
- Republican reactions to Donald Trump's claims of 2020 election fraud
- How US election fraud claims changed as Trump won
- Trump's 2024 victory gives new life to his 2020 fraud claims
- Qui est Massad Boulos, ce libanais conseiller de TRUMP
- Results of Lawsuits Regarding the 2020 Elections
- Pourquoi ce chapeau de Melania Trump
- Fact-checking Trump's false claims about voter fraud and 'rigged elections'