Donald Trump and his allies in the election denialist camp, including Turning Point USA and True the Vote, are actively promoting conspiracy theories surrounding election fraud. Their goal is to create a narrative that the election was rigged in case Trump does not emerge victorious. This alarming trend has raised concerns among election experts and seasoned Republicans.
The potential repercussions of this strategy are significant. Republican Mayor John Giles of Mesa, Arizona, who previously supported Vice-President Kamala Harris, warned that Trump and his supporters will resort to extreme measures if he loses the election. Giles expressed his belief that Trump may incite insurrection if the election results are not in his favor.
The tactics employed by Trump and his Maga allies mirror the false claims made during the 2020 election, focusing on alleged fraud related to voting machines and drop boxes. However, the current narrative also targets federal and state prosecutors who have pursued criminal charges against Trump for attempting to undermine the election results. Additionally, baseless allegations about noncitizen voting are being propagated.
Turning Point USA has launched a substantial campaign to increase voter turnout for Trump in key swing states. At rallies organized by the group, unfounded claims about the 2020 election being rigged persist, alongside new concerns about potential fraud in the upcoming election.
Trump and his allies have consistently criticized the legal proceedings against him, labeling them as “election interference” and ”lawfare.” This strategy aims to galvanize his supporters while undermining the integrity of the legal system, according to experts.
Furthermore, Trump’s wavering stance on accepting election results, as seen in previous elections, adds to the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming election. Despite stating that he would accept fair election results, Trump continues to propagate falsehoods about widespread fraud in US elections.
The narrative of noncitizen voting has gained traction within the Maga ecosystem, fueled by Trump and other prominent figures. False claims about significant noncitizen voting have led to legislative actions, despite the fact that such voting is already illegal and rare.
Organizations like True the Vote are capitalizing on these fears to raise funds and push their agenda of preventing supposed election chaos. The spread of misinformation and baseless claims threatens the integrity of the electoral process.
2024-09-03 05:00:08
Source from www.theguardian.com