Fact Check: "The 2024 election was stolen."
What We Know
The claim that the 2024 election was stolen mirrors similar allegations made after the 2020 election. Following the 2024 election, various narratives emerged suggesting that discrepancies in vote totals indicated fraud. For instance, some supporters of Donald Trump pointed to a significant vote gap between Joe Biden's 2020 total of approximately 81 million votes and Kamala Harris' 2024 total of around 69 million votes, framing it as evidence of "missing" Democratic ballots (NPR). However, experts have clarified that this gap can be attributed to various factors, including differences in voter turnout and the ongoing process of vote counting, particularly in populous states like California (AP News).
Additionally, investigations conducted after the 2020 election found no evidence of widespread fraud, and similar checks are expected to continue for the 2024 election (NPR). The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has also been involved in reviewing election data, but the requests made by the DOJ have been described as unusual and potentially politically motivated, particularly in light of ongoing prosecutions related to election integrity (NPR).
Analysis
The assertion that the 2024 election was stolen lacks credible evidence. Numerous investigations and audits conducted post-2020 election have consistently shown that claims of widespread fraud are unfounded (NPR). The narrative surrounding the supposed discrepancies in vote totals has been criticized as a continuation of disinformation tactics that emerged after the 2020 election (AP News).
Moreover, the DOJ's recent actions, including broad requests for election data, have raised concerns among election officials about the potential misuse of federal resources to undermine public confidence in the electoral process (NPR). Experts have characterized these requests as "fishing expeditions," suggesting that they are not based on solid evidence of wrongdoing but rather on political motivations (NPR).
The credibility of sources promoting the claim of a stolen election is also questionable. Many of these narratives originate from individuals and groups with a vested interest in discrediting the electoral process, often lacking rigorous journalistic standards or factual basis (NPR, AP News).
Conclusion
Verdict: False
The claim that the 2024 election was stolen is not supported by credible evidence. Investigations have repeatedly shown that allegations of widespread fraud are unfounded, and the discrepancies cited by proponents of this claim can be explained by normal variations in voter turnout and counting processes. Furthermore, the actions of the DOJ, while concerning, do not substantiate claims of electoral fraud but rather reflect ongoing political tensions surrounding election integrity.
Sources
- Trump's DOJ makes its most sweeping demand for election ...
- Trump's 2024 victory gives new life to his 2020 fraud claims - NPR
- FACT FOCUS: A multimillion vote gap between 2020 and 2024 fuels false ...
- Republican Party efforts to disrupt the 2024 United States ...
- Trump would have been convicted if not elected, DoJ ...
- 2024 Presidential and Senate Results Called Into Question as Lawsuit ...
- Fact checking Election Day 2024 claims about voter fraud, ballot ...
- Both Sides Distort Incomplete Vote Counts to Falsely Suggest Election Fraud
