(AP) — President Donald Trump took to the airwaves Thursday evening in a primetime address centered on elections and voting machines, using the occasion to rehash thoroughly debunked conspiracy theories surrounding his 2020 defeat to Democrat Joe Biden. The address came amid his growing pressure on Republicans to enact stricter federal voting laws before November’s midterm elections.
The speech also touched on the ongoing U.S. conflict with Iran. At his last primetime presidential address in April, Trump said the country would achieve its Iran war goals “very shortly.” Since then, a temporary pause in fighting has fallen apart, with U.S. strikes intensifying early Thursday against an expanding list of targets — including a ship accused of violating a blockade on Iranian ports. Iran responded by launching attacks against U.S. allies in the region.
Trump Closes Speech with Push for SAVE Act
After 24 minutes at the podium, Trump wrapped up his remarks by calling on Congress to pass the SAVE Act — the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act. The legislation would require people registering to vote to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. Voting rights organizations have cautioned that such a requirement could strip millions of Americans of their ability to vote. It is worth noting that voting by noncitizens is already illegal under federal law and is considered rare.
Trump Targets California’s Vote Count
Trump took aim at California’s lengthy vote-counting process, calling it “worse than any Third World country.” However, his characterization significantly exaggerated the situation. He pointed out that the state didn’t finalize its June 2 primary count until July 10 — but that date refers to the formal certification of results, a process that takes most states a month or more to complete. Winners in major California races were determined earlier, though not quickly. For instance, the Los Angeles mayoral primary took a full week to be called, in part because California counts mail-in ballots that arrive up to a week after Election Day, provided they were postmarked by the close of voting. While California’s drawn-out counting process has its critics, there is no evidence of any fraud. Notably, Trump did not question California election results in 2022 when Republicans performed well in the state’s congressional races.
Networks Split on Whether to Air the Speech
Television networks took widely different approaches when Trump stepped up to the lectern. Fox News and Fox aired the address in its entirety. ABC and NBC chose to stay with their regular programming, though both were prepared to break in if events warranted. CBS preempted a summer rerun of “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage” to air a special report anchored by Tony Dokoupil. CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins, hosting her nightly program, told viewers, “We aren’t taking it live,” citing the president’s well-documented record of making false statements. MSNBC began airing the speech on host Jen Psaki’s program but cut away after 17 minutes for analysis. By 9:25 p.m., Fox News was the only network still carrying the speech live.
Trump Disputes His Own Intelligence Appointees’ 2020 Findings
Among the vaguer claims in the speech was an attack on what Trump called “members of the deep state.” He alleged that intelligence agencies covered up China’s efforts to interfere in U.S. elections. However, the officials who led those agencies in 2020 were Trump’s own appointees. On January 7, 2021, those agencies presented Trump with an assessment concluding that no foreign nation attempted to alter vote totals or fabricate ballots. There is no record of Trump disputing those findings at the time. Since then, Trump has filled intelligence agency leadership positions with individuals who repeat his frequently debunked election claims.
Trump Touts Progress in Iran Conflict
Even while delivering a speech focused on election security, Trump commented on the military situation with Iran, telling the audience that the U.S. is “winning big in Iran and you will see the fruits of that labor very, very shortly.” The remarks came as the U.S. expanded its airstrike campaign early Friday, targeting bridges and other infrastructure to pressure Tehran over its grip on the Strait of Hormuz.
White House Launches New Election Security Website
Coinciding with the speech, the White House launched a new website featuring documents that Trump says highlight major “areas of concern” related to election security. The site went live Thursday evening as Trump delivered his primetime address on foreign interference and influence in U.S. elections.
Speech Opens with List of Administration Accomplishments
Trump used the opening minutes of his address to run through what he described as his administration’s achievements, including claims of cutting drug prices, in what resembled a campaign-style recap rather than a policy-focused introduction.
