Fact Check: "The 2024 US election was rigged"
What We Know
Claims that the 2024 US election was rigged have circulated widely, particularly among supporters of former President Donald Trump. These allegations often reference a supposed discrepancy in vote totals between the 2020 and 2024 elections, suggesting that the drop in votes for Vice President Kamala Harris compared to President Joe Biden indicates fraud. However, election officials have stated that there is no evidence of widespread fraud or irregularities affecting the election outcome (BBC, AP News).
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has also confirmed that the election infrastructure was secure and that no malicious activity significantly impacted the election (AP News). Despite these assurances, social media has seen a surge in posts claiming that millions of votes were uncounted or that the election was manipulated in favor of Trump (BBC, Newsweek).
Analysis
The claims of a rigged election largely stem from a narrative that compares preliminary vote totals from the 2024 election to the final counts from 2020. For instance, some posts have suggested that Harris received significantly fewer votes than Biden, implying that this discrepancy indicates fraud. However, these comparisons are misleading as the vote count is still ongoing, and many ballots remain uncounted (AP News).
Moreover, officials from both parties have reported that the election was conducted securely, with no evidence of widespread fraud. For example, Pennsylvania officials, including Governor Josh Shapiro, have stated that they saw no signs of cheating (AP News).
The sources of these claims often lack credibility. Many are propagated by individuals or organizations with a history of promoting conspiracy theories without substantial evidence. For instance, right-wing influencers have continued to spread debunked narratives from previous elections, despite official confirmations of election integrity (BBC, Newsweek).
Conclusion
The claim that the 2024 US election was rigged is False. There is no credible evidence to support allegations of widespread voter fraud or manipulation. Official statements from election authorities confirm that the election was secure and that the vote counting process is still ongoing. The narratives suggesting a rigged election are based on misleading comparisons and unfounded claims that have been repeatedly debunked.
