Trump stokes voter fraud claims before polls close

Former President Donald Trump has again raised allegations of voter fraud in the 2024 election, suggesting that “massive CHEATING” is taking place in Philadelphia, just hours before polls closed. This comes amid a tight race between him and Vice President Kamala Harris, with polling indicating the contest is too close to call.

Baseless accusations of fraud

Trump’s post on Truth Social suggested widespread election irregularities in the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania, specifically targeting Philadelphia. His post, which was made just before 5 p.m. ET, hinted at voter fraud and urged law enforcement to intervene. However, the Philadelphia Police Department responded by stating they were unaware of any voting-related issues at the time. Trump’s claim appears to be another instance of unfounded allegations, reminiscent of his accusations in the 2020 presidential race, where he falsely claimed the election was stolen from him. Despite these claims, no credible evidence of fraud has been found.

Trump’s history with election conspiracy theories

This isn’t the first time Trump has floated accusations of election interference. In 2020, he pushed a narrative that the election was rigged by Democrats, specifically accusing them of manipulating ballots. His refusal to accept defeat led to his efforts to overturn the results, pressuring state officials to reverse certified outcomes. When those efforts failed, Trump encouraged his supporters to disrupt the certification process, culminating in the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. He now faces federal and state charges related to those actions, including his attempts to undermine the election results.

In addition to the allegations in 2020, Trump has repeatedly claimed that millions of illegal votes were cast in the 2016 election, despite a lack of evidence to support such a statement. His accusations also extended to the 2016 Iowa caucuses, which he claimed were “rigged” after his loss in the contest.

The tight race and its potential impact

The 2024 election has become a nail-biting affair, with Trump and Harris neck-and-neck in several battleground states, particularly Pennsylvania, which has become a key battleground in the race. With the outcome potentially hinging on a few thousand votes, every contested area and state holds major significance. Harris’s campaign has focused on mobilizing voters in urban areas, especially among demographics that typically lean Democratic.

Trump’s comments, which came hours before the polls were set to close, serve to stir up tensions, especially in Pennsylvania, where Philadelphia has a significant impact on the final outcome. While Trump claims that his supporters are experiencing issues at polling places, there has been no indication of widespread irregularities, despite the volume of voters lining up at many polling stations.

The rhetoric surrounding election integrity remains a polarizing topic in American politics, and Trump’s latest claims add fuel to the fire as the nation awaits results from this historically tight race. Whether these accusations will be substantiated or become another chapter in his history of challenging election outcomes remains to be seen.