Fact Check: trump rigged the 2016 election

Fact Check: "Trump Rigged the 2016 Election"

What We Know

The claim that Donald Trump "rigged" the 2016 election is a contentious assertion that lacks substantial evidence. Following the election, Trump made numerous allegations of widespread voter fraud, claiming that millions of illegal votes were cast against him. However, a report from the now-disbanded voting integrity commission established by Trump found no evidence to support these claims. The commission's findings indicated that there was a "pre-ordained outcome" and that drafts of their report contained sections that were "glaringly empty" regarding evidence of voter fraud.

Moreover, Trump's assertions were met with skepticism from various officials, including members of his own party. For instance, Republican leaders and election officials publicly refuted Trump's claims, stating that there was no basis for the allegations he made about the election being rigged. Additionally, an analysis by the New York Times highlighted that Trump's accusations were not substantiated by any credible evidence.

Analysis

The credibility of Trump's claims about a rigged election is further undermined by the findings of the voting integrity commission and the responses from election officials. The commission, which was intended to investigate voter fraud, met only twice and failed to produce any significant findings that would validate Trump's assertions. Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap, a member of the commission, criticized the lack of evidence and suggested that the commission's activities were designed to support a predetermined conclusion rather than uncover the truth.

Furthermore, Trump's claims were often characterized as politically motivated rhetoric aimed at rallying his base rather than grounded in factual evidence. For example, during the campaign, Trump repeatedly stated that the election was "absolutely rigged" and accused the media of bias, which analysts noted was a tactic to position himself as a victim of the political establishment. This narrative served to galvanize his supporters while simultaneously delegitimizing the electoral process.

Despite Trump's claims, there has been no substantial evidence of widespread voter fraud that would have altered the outcome of the election. Studies and investigations into voter fraud consistently show that it is exceedingly rare in the United States. For instance, a PBS report emphasized that Trump's allegations were based on unfounded fears rather than factual occurrences.

Conclusion

The claim that Trump "rigged" the 2016 election is False. The evidence presented by the Trump administration's own commission, along with the widespread rejection of his claims by election officials and experts, demonstrates that there was no basis for the assertion of widespread voter fraud or election rigging. Trump's statements appear to be politically motivated rather than grounded in factual evidence.

Fact Check: trump rigged the 2016 election