Former U.S. President, Donald Trump stirred controversy once again on Tuesday, alleging election fraud in Philadelphia and Detroit just as polls were about to close.
Through his Truth Social platform, Trump asserted that there was “a lot of talk about massive CHEATING” in both cities, although he did not provide any evidence to support his claims.
This echoes similar allegations he made in 2020, which were thoroughly investigated and dismissed by courts and election authorities.
In an additional post, Trump specifically called out Detroit for alleged fraud, but again without any substantiated proof.
Philadelphia and Detroit, both large, Democrat-leaning cities, were focal points of Trump’s fraud assertions during the previous election, accusations that multiple investigations found to be baseless.
Philadelphia City, Commissioner Seth Bluestein responded swiftly, writing on X (formerly Twitter), “There is absolutely no truth to this allegation. It is yet another example of disinformation. Voting in Philadelphia has been safe and secure.”
Bluestein’s response aligns with statements from officials nationwide, who have emphasized that robust security protocols ensure fair and secure elections.
Trump’s accusations emerge amidst ongoing national efforts to bolster election integrity and dispel disinformation. In both Philadelphia and Detroit, officials have reinforced security measures to ensure that ballots are protected and accurately counted in a bid to maintain public trust in the democratic process.
Despite Trump’s continued rhetoric, the 2020 election saw extensive investigations into fraud claims, which found no widespread issues.
Voting rights advocates and election officials have voiced concerns over the potential for such claims to erode confidence in the electoral system, especially in predominantly Democratic cities that Trump’s allegations have frequently targeted.