President Donald Trump has accused Democrats of attempting to 'steal' the California gubernatorial and Los Angeles mayoral primaries, alleging fraud without providing evidence. In posts on Truth Social, Trump claimed that federal prosecutors in Los Angeles are investigating the matter, though the U.S. Attorney's Office declined to comment. California officials, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, dismissed the claims as baseless.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
Trump's allegations come amid delays in vote counting due to California's process of accepting mail-in ballots up to seven days after Election Day. With partial results showing Republican candidates Steve Hilton and Spencer Pratt leading in their respective races, Trump accused Democrats of delaying the count to manipulate outcomes. The California Democratic Party and Newsom's office rejected the claims, emphasizing the state's commitment to a fair and accurate count.
Deeper Dive & Context
Vote-Counting Process
California's election laws allow mail-in ballots to be received up to seven days after Election Day, contributing to delays in finalizing results. Officials attribute the slow count to signature verification, ballot processing, and audits. As of Wednesday, 56% of ballots were counted, with Hilton leading the gubernatorial race and Pratt trailing incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in the mayoral race.
Trump's History of Fraud Claims
Trump has repeatedly accused Democrats of election fraud, particularly regarding mail-in ballots. He voted by mail in a Florida special election earlier this year, citing exceptions for travel and residency. The White House has supported mail-in voting for specific cases but opposes universal mail-in voting, citing fraud risks.
Political Reactions
California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks called Trump's claims 'baseless,' while Newsom's office mocked the allegations. Trump's endorsements of Hilton and Pratt have drawn attention, with comedian Bill Maher also supporting Pratt. The races remain too close to call, with final results expected in the coming weeks.