58 times Trump has cast doubt on the election in response to Fox
40 of them happened after Election Day
Written by Matt Gertz
Published
Editor's Note: New examples will be added to this post as they occur. It was updated on November 9, after Trump lost the election and subsequently sent numerous tweets highlighting Fox segments which questioned the results, and again on November 16.
Polls suggest President Donald Trump has virtually no chance of getting the most votes in the 2020 presidential election. Instead, his chances of reelection largely rest on winning key swing states to secure the electoral vote while losing the popular vote, as he did in 2016. But Trump and his allies have floated another, darker path to victory -- keeping the margins close enough in those states for Republican-appointed judges to carry the day by throwing out sufficient legally cast ballots to secure a win.
Trump has kept that strategy viable by creating uncertainty around the election results, baselessly warning that it will be “RIGGED.” And the president has had eager accomplices at Fox News, who relentlessly misinform their viewers about mail-in voting and other purported vectors for voter fraud. Their segments fearmongering over mundane election operations quirks are then promoted by Trump on Twitter to undermine confidence in the results. Twitter has repeatedly flagged these tweets as containing election misinformation.
In response to Fox coverage, Trump has declared that “Democrats are rigging our 2020 election” by promoting mail-in voting, which he baselessly claims is a “Scam” that would lead to “cheating” and “voter fraud,” ensuring “the most CORRUPT ELECTION in our Nation’s History” and “MAYHEM!!!” He has specifically cast doubt on the voting in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Nevada, New York, and California, and called for the intervention of state legislatures, the courts, and the Justice Department.
That feedback loop is likely to accelerate in the days leading up to and perhaps following the election, as Trump and his propagandists try to turn normal election difficulties into a scandal, potentially delegitimize millions of ballots, and bring to bear the GOP advantage in the courts.
Here are 58 Trump tweets amplifying Fox segments which cast doubt on the election, 40 of which occurred after Election Day.
1-3. Trump claim: Election “badly shattered and violated our great Constitution”
This rant came amid a Fox show Trump had touted that focused largely on media refusal to cover “voter fraud.”
Left, Fox's Life, Liberty, and Levin, 8:08 p.m.
"Media and the Democrats all speak in one voice demanding that we hurry up, hurry up, hurry up.
Right, Trump, 8:46 p.m. pic.twitter.com/OJGJqgUdUI
— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) November 16, 2020
4-6. Trump tweets three Fox videos casting doubt on the election results.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 15, 2020
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 15, 2020
7. Trump promotes his lawyer’s Fox interview about purported “Rigged Election Hoax”
Watch @RudyGiuliani interview on @MariaBartiromo this morning at 10:00. Doing a great job exposing the Rigged Election Hoax!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 15, 2020
8. Trump claim: “The election was rigged.”
He won because the Election was Rigged. NO VOTE WATCHERS OR OBSERVERS allowed, vote tabulated by a Radical Left privately owned company, Dominion, with a bad reputation & bum equipment that couldn’t even qualify for Texas (which I won by a lot!), the Fake & Silent Media, & more! https://t.co/Exb3C1mAPg
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 15, 2020
9-10. Trump claim: “EXPOSE THE CRIME!”
Left, Fox's Hannity, 9:33 p.m.
Gingrich: “It turns out the secretary of state signed a consent agreement that Stacey Abrams insisted on that means you cannot identify the people who cast the absentee ballots.... and apparently the governor approved it.”
Right, Trump, 9:29 a.m. pic.twitter.com/g9xc6RIUi4
— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) November 14, 2020
11. Trump pushes claim: “They flooded the zone with mail-in ballots.”
Left, Fox's Hannity, 9:18 p.m.
Right, Trump, 9:23 p.m. pic.twitter.com/cLgAmkY8m7— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) November 14, 2020
12. Trump claim: “We win the state of Pennsylvania!”
Of course.
Left, Fox's The Story, 7:06 p.m.
Murtaugh: “During those hours where we did not have people in the rooms, in Philadelphia and in Pittsburgh, almost 700,000 ballots were counted at that time.... if we can win those, the president can [win PA]”
Right, Trump, 7:28 p.m. pic.twitter.com/x6eRhHAMGj
— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) November 14, 2020
13-14. Trump tweets two Fox videos casting doubt on the election results.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 14, 2020
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2020
15: Trump claim: “Biden did not win, he lost by a lot!”
These states in question should immediately be put in the Trump Win column. Biden did not win, he lost by a lot! pic.twitter.com/ywiw6sPicI https://t.co/C1g9LZpMah
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2020
16. Trump tweets Fox video casting doubt on the election results
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2020
17. Trump claim: Fox segment shows “tens of thousands of votes were stolen from us and given to Biden.”
Must see @seanhannity takedown of the horrible, inaccurate and anything but secure Dominion Voting System which is used in States where tens of thousands of votes were stolen from us and given to Biden. Likewise, the Great @LouDobbs has a confirming and powerful piece!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2020
18. Trump pushes claim: “This computer voting system is wide open to fraud and intervention.”
From last night, more Fox-fueled election attacks.
Left, Fox Business' Lou Dobbs Tonight, 7:43 p.m.
Right, Trump, 7:55 p.m. pic.twitter.com/Q63DmctGgz— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) November 11, 2020
19. Trump pushes claim: “Constitutional Travesty” in Pennsylvania election.
Missed this -- yesterday in the middle of the work day Trump pulled up the recording of the previous night's Lou Dobbs show and live-tweeted a quote.
Left, Fox Business' Lou Dobbs Tonight, 7:09 p.m. Mon
Right, Trump, 10:51 a.m. Tues pic.twitter.com/2FPwFacwyz— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) November 11, 2020
20-28. Trump tweets nine Fox videos casting doubt on election results.
Last night President Trump sent nine consecutive tweets of Fox News coverage, every single one of which cast doubt on the election results, several featuring top GOP leaders. pic.twitter.com/xzQySmgwkq
— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) November 9, 2020
Twitter added a note to three of the tweets stating, “This claim about election fraud is disputed,” with a link to a notice stating that “experts and officials say there has been no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 US election.”
29-30. Trump pushes claim: “This was a stolen election. … They stole what they had to steal.”
Really dangerous stuff happening here. https://t.co/PIG4I1JYAy
Left, Fox & Friends Sunday, 8:07 a.m.
Right, Trump, 9:17 a.m. pic.twitter.com/PlHgpC2tgp— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) November 8, 2020
Twitter added notes to the tweets stating, “This claim about election fraud is disputed.”
31-34. Trump pushes claim: “We have a history in this country of election problems.”
The morning after news networks called the election for Biden, Trump is watching Fox and pushing out its lies to delegitimize the results.
Left, Fox & Friends Sunday, 7:21 a.m.
Right, Trump, 8:38 a.m pic.twitter.com/rDDRhTj3Dp— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) November 8, 2020
Twitter added notes to the tweets stating, “This claim about election fraud is disputed” or “Learn how voting by mail is safe and secure.”
35. Trump promotes former acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker questioning the vote totals.
Missed this one on Friday night.
Left, Fox Business' The Evening Edit, 8:56 p.m.
Right, Trump, 9:26 p.m. pic.twitter.com/mDn98f51xm— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) November 9, 2020
36. Trump pushes claim: Philadelphia “has got a rotten history on election integrity.”
The president is watching Fox and using its commentary to delegitimize the election.
Left, Fox Business' Varney & Co., 9:18 a.m.
Right, Trump, 10:07 a.m. pic.twitter.com/iz7V0stTNm— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) November 6, 2020
37-40. Trump pushes claim: “Pennsylvania conducted itself in a horrible lawless way,” Supreme Court should act.
Quotes from same segment.
Left, Fox Business' Varney & Co., 9:21 a.m.
Right, Trump, 11:28 a.m. pic.twitter.com/aEuD8zf3Op— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) November 6, 2020
41. Trump claim: PA absentee ballot extension “a disaster for our Nation ... Democrats are trying to steal this Election”
Left, Fox's Outnumbered Overtime, 1:07 p.m.
Right, Trump, 1:12 p.m. pic.twitter.com/fSmgYAtXTk
— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) October 29, 2020
42. Trump claim: “Big problems and discrepancies with Mail In Ballots all over the USA. Must have final total on November 3rd.”
Eights days before the election, Trump is again casting doubt on mail-in ballots in response to Fox coverage, setting the stage for potential legal efforts to throw out millions of votes. https://t.co/g8QXVr0kqB
Left, Fox's The Story, 7:11 p.m.
Right, Trump, 7:43 p.m. pic.twitter.com/rrIhde1XpW— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) October 26, 2020
Twitter subsequently restricted Trump’s tweet, showing users the message, “Some or all of the content shared in this Tweet is disputed and might be misleading about how to participate in an election or another civic process.”
43. Trump claim: Negative media coverage of coronavirus “should be an election law violation!”
Left, Fox & Friends, 6:06 a.m.
Pence: “We're going to defeat the virus.”
Right, Trump, 7:36 a.m. pic.twitter.com/1Lf5yyKbIr
— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) October 26, 2020
44. Trump claim: “Corrupt politics in Pennsylvania must be investigated immediately” after “Ballot ‘mistakes’”
Nine days out from the election and the president is watching Fox and demanding DOJ investigations in response to what he sees.
Left, Fox & Friends Weekend, 6:37 a.m.
Right, Trump, 8:45 a.m. pic.twitter.com/A0eKcxgfXs— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) October 25, 2020
45. Trump claim: “California hired a pure Sleepy Joe Democrat firm to count and ‘harvest’ ballots.”
If the question is “why is Trump tweeting about this random thing,” the answer is almost always “because he saw it on Fox.”
Left, Fox's Tucker Carlson Tonight, 8:58 p.m.
Right, Trump, 7:44 a.m. pic.twitter.com/MYqGzI2QTT— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) October 13, 2020
46. Trump claim: “50,000 OHIO VOTERS getting WRONG ABSENTEE BALLOTS” means “A Rigged Election!!!”
Sign off with Rush, turn on Fox.
Left, Fox's The Daily Briefing, 2:40 p.m.
“Nearly 50,000 voters in an important Ohio county getting wrong absentee ballots. We'll have the breaking details next.”
Right, Trump, 2:44 p.m. pic.twitter.com/wYOko5fQ0O
— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) October 9, 2020
47. Trump claim: “100,000 Mail In Ballots in New York City a total MESS,” a “Big Fraud, Unfixable!”
Left, Fox's America's Newsroom, 9:38 a.m.
Right, Trump, 11:35 a.m. pic.twitter.com/LQD9N7dDLX— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) September 30, 2020
48. Trump claim: “Unsolicited Ballot States should give it up NOW. … Otherwise, MAYHEM!!!”
The president is watching television and trying to delegitimize the vote.
Left, Fox & Friends, 7:15 a.m.
Right, Trump, 7:45 a.m. pic.twitter.com/3F2rYxmfAg— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) September 17, 2020
49. Trump claim: “Democrats are Rigging our 2020 Election!
Democrats are Rigging our 2020 Election! pic.twitter.com/1FwrJiuSNY
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 25, 2020
Twitter added a note to the tweet stating, “Learn how voting by mail is safe and secure,” with a link to more information.
50. Trump claim: Democrats “want ELECTION MAYHEM. States must end this CRAZY mass sending of Ballots.”
Left, Fox & Friends, 7:21 a.m.
Right, Trump, 7:56 a.m. pic.twitter.com/03By45C1SF— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) September 17, 2020
Twitter added a note to the tweet stating, “Learn how voting by mail is safe and secure,” with a link to more information.
51. Trump claim: “Watch Mark Levin NOW on @FoxNews. Topic: Mail-In Voting!”
Saturday night.
Left, Fox's Life, Liberty, and Levin, 7:03 p.m.
Right, Trump, 7:04 p.m. pic.twitter.com/ps2YEQy0iV— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) August 31, 2020
52-53. Trump claim: Democrats support “Mail In Ballot Scam.” “Only ABSENTEE BALLOTS are acceptable!”
Also yesterday.
Left, Fox's America's News HQ, 4:22 p.m.
Right, Trump, 4:51 p.m. pic.twitter.com/DkZMHNptjR
— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) August 23, 2020
54. Trump claim: “Democrats are using Mail Drop Boxes, which are a voter security disaster.”
Trump's mail drop-box lie came in response to a Fox segment.
Left, The Fox Report, 5:34 a.m.
Right, Trump, 7:25 a.m. pic.twitter.com/dm45R4iLRP— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) August 23, 2020
Twitter restricted the tweet, informing users that it “violated the Twitter Rules about civic and election integrity.”
55. Trump claim: “Nevada has ZERO infrastructure for Mail-In Voting. It will be a corrupt disaster if not ended by the Courts."
Aug. 5
Left, Fox & Friends, 6:03 a.m.
Right, Trump, 7:08 a.m. pic.twitter.com/6SLLkmjYOi— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) August 13, 2020
56. Trump claim: “Mail-In Voting, unless changed by the courts, will lead to the most CORRUPT ELECTION in our Nation’s History! #RIGGEDELECTION”
Trump's rigged election tweet appears to respond directly to a segment about Hillary Clinton being concerned he won't accept the election results...
Left, Fox & Friends, 7:23 a.m.
Right, Trump, 7:41 a.m. pic.twitter.com/8ago0By6nL— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) July 21, 2020
57. Trump claim: “Large scale Mail-In Ballots … would be a free for all on cheating.”
Alright he's been about 10 minutes off live all morning, starting with this not even remotely veiled threat.
Left, Fox & Friends, 7:04 a.m.
Right, Trump, 7:11 a.m. pic.twitter.com/Cjgg6IXh2z— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) May 27, 2020
58. Trump claim: Mail-in voting has “tremendous potential for voter fraud.”
Yiiiikes. The segment Trump is live-tweeting doesn't mention vote-by-mail at all, that's just his reaction to seeing Wisconsin voters going to the polls in gas masks.
Left, Fox & Friends 8:14 a.m.
Right, Trump, 8:20 a.m. pic.twitter.com/a00dYb4u4S— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) April 8, 2020