Critics have warned that Donald Trump is 'inventing fraud' in California's primary elections, with pro-democracy experts saying the president is using a well-worn playbook to sow doubt over results. They fear that with loyalists in key positions, his unfounded allegations could escalate as more races go against him.
Omar Noureldin, senior vice-president of policy and litigation at Common Cause, said: 'California's election is not the problem here. The problem is that we have a president in the Oval Office who continues to lie and sow doubt over elections instead of facing accountability from voters.'
Trump lost his cool after a journalist pushed back on his claims during a Meet the Press interview, storming out. He has repeatedly called California's results into question, particularly in the Los Angeles mayoral race, where Democrat Nithya Raman overtook Republican Spencer Pratt. Trump wrote on Truth Social: '3rd World Nation. Rigged Elections!'
Experts note that unlike in 2020, Trump now has an administration stocked with loyalists and election deniers, and a rightwing media ecosystem ready to amplify his talking points. Edgar Lin of Protect Democracy said: 'The president keeps inventing fraud in elections he loses. Now he's aiming federal power at California's locally run vote.'
California's 'jungle primary' system and mail-in voting mean results can take weeks, leaving a vacuum for misinformation. The state's elections officials have sought to explain the process, noting that with over 23 million registered voters, counting takes time.
