On Thursday night, Donald Trump delivered a primetime address from the White House's East Room, breaking with tradition by using the solemn setting to attack the integrity of US elections.
His speech was a declaration of war on American democracy, wrapped in Orwellian language that claimed to protect elections while undermining trust in them.
A History of Denial
Trump's obsession with the 2020 election was on full display, as he repeated false claims about voter fraud and rigged voting machines.
He outlined steps the federal government will take to address nonexistent threats, despite no evidence of widespread manipulation.
This is not new: Trump has a long history of crying foul when he loses, from the Emmys to the Iowa caucuses to the 2016 popular vote.
The Consequences
His relentless campaign has already eroded public confidence.
A recent PBS/NPR/Marist poll found that Americans' trust in fair elections has dropped to its lowest point in years.
Critics warn that Trump's speech lays groundwork for him to tamper with future elections, including the 2026 midterms.
As one commentator noted, Trump is like a fox announcing it will guard the henhouse. It is up to the American people to resist and foil his plan.
