(SeaPRwire) –
Trump’s latest claim that California’s primary is rigged isn’t new. It’s a repeat of 2020’s playbook, using delay and confusion as fuel. On Sunday, he told Meet the Press slow counts and Republican losses to mail-in ballots were fraud proof. When pressed for evidence, he said “look” and attacked the host. This isn’t about facts—it’s about sowing doubt.
Elon Musk joined in, tweeting fraud wasn’t hidden. Meghan McCain noted non-political friends talked of stolen elections. U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, a Trump appointee, opened fraud investigations. But most claims stem from not understanding CA’s election rules.
California uses a jungle primary—top two advance regardless of party. Mail-in ballots make up 80% of votes. They can arrive seven days post-Election Day if postmarked on time. As of June5, 6 million ballots counted, 3 million left. Officials have 30 days to finish, certification July10. Curing (22 days to fix signatures) adds time—34 states do this.
Democrats use mail-in votes more than Republicans. Late mail-ins shift results left: the blue shift. A Brookings study found mail-in fraud is 0.000043% of ballots—four per 10 million. This isn’t fraud; it’s how votes come in.
Trump’s pick for governor, Steve Hilton, called the system a laughingstock but no illegal activity. Spencer Pratt, LA mayor candidate, shared a confused meme. Newsom warned last month delays could spark misinformation. His fear was well-founded.
The cycle of unsubstantiated fraud claims will swirl until CA’s primary results are certified in July.