Donald Trump has indicated he will deliver "really big news" during a Thursday night address to the nation, which is expected to focus on what he claims are widespread issues with U.S. elections and vulnerabilities in voting machines. A White House official told Reuters that the speech would reveal declassified intelligence from investigations into U.S. elections and information regarding voting machine flaws.
Trump has repeatedly claimed, without providing evidence, that the 2020 presidential election was stolen due to massive fraud. Numerous court rulings, ballot audits, and investigations, including by his own Justice Department, have found no evidence to support these claims. Federal cybersecurity officials, along with state and local election authorities, have described the 2020 election as "the most secure in American history."
During a press briefing on Tuesday, Trump confirmed that the speech would address election machine integrity. "It will concern that subject," he stated, though he offered no specific details.
The former president's persistent assertions about the 2020 election's legitimacy have been a driving force behind administration efforts to increase federal oversight of election administration and alter voting processes. Legal experts have raised concerns that such changes could shift power away from states, potentially violating the U.S. Constitution.
With the midterm elections on the horizon, Democrats and election security experts have expressed apprehension that the Trump administration might attempt to interfere in upcoming contests. New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez suggested that news networks should refrain from airing the address, calling it a "made-for-TV broadcast about election fraud and conspiracy theories." She argued that media outlets have an ethical obligation not to platform unsubstantiated claims that undermine elections.
Senator Jon Ossoff of Georgia speculated that Trump might use the announcement as a pretext to declare the victories of himself and fellow Georgia Democrat Raphael Warnock "illegitimate." Ossoff expressed concern that Trump could seek to interfere in elections through unconstitutional federal power or provide cover for state and local challenges to election results. He criticized Trump's focus on election conspiracies, suggesting it distracts from pressing national issues and could be politically detrimental to Republicans.
Election experts suggest that by framing the 2020 election as illegitimate, Trump may be laying the groundwork to contest future Republican losses or undermine Democratic victories.
An administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that Trump would discuss national elections and what the White House perceives as voting machine vulnerabilities that could allow for foreign cyber intrusions. The official confirmed that newly declassified intelligence related to the 2020 election would be presented.
Despite assurances from election officials regarding the security of voting machines, a forensic analysis submitted by Mojave Research, a contractor hired by former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, reportedly found flaws in voting machines seized in Puerto Rico, though no evidence of hacking was discovered. Gabbard also produced a report detailing significant vulnerabilities and suggesting safeguards, such as software updates. The White House has reportedly delayed the release of this report.
Trump has appointed Bill Pulte, director of the federal mortgage regulator, as Gabbard's interim replacement and authorized him to declassify documents pertaining to the 2020 vote. A task force has also been formed to investigate elements of the 2020 election, with journalist John Solomon reportedly involved. Solomon has sought access to files related to an analysis that diverged from a 2021 U.S. intelligence assessment. That assessment concluded that no foreign actor had attempted or succeeded in altering any technical aspect of the 2020 vote, though it noted that Russia conducted influence operations to boost Trump and undermine confidence in the U.S. electoral process. China reportedly considered, but ultimately decided against, influence operations, while Iran pursued a covert campaign to undermine Trump's candidacy.