Trump claims without proof Democrats are ‘trying to steal’ California primaries

Key Points:

• Former President Donald Trump has alleged without evidence that Democrats are cheating in California’s primaries and claimed the US attorney’s office in Los Angeles is investigating, though the office declined to comment on these claims.
• Trump’s accusations come amid ongoing vote counting in California, where mail-in ballots—comprising about 80% of votes—can be counted up to a week after election day, contributing to delays that have raised concerns over misinformation.
• California’s “jungle” primary system has led to a close gubernatorial race with 61 candidates, with Republicans rallying around Steve Hilton, who risks falling behind due to mail-in ballots that tend to favor Democrats.
• Election officials and observers, including Governor Gavin Newsom and the Democracy Defense Project, have warned that prolonged vote counting can fuel misinformation and erode public trust, emphasizing the need for both accuracy and timely results.
• Trump’s history of disputing unfavorable election outcomes, including the 2020 presidential election, underscores the potential impact of his unfounded claims on public confidence in the electoral process.