Fact check: Trump lies again about California elections ahead of the state’s primaries
Fact Check: Trump Repeats Claims of California Election Fraud Ahead of Primaries
Fact check – As the state of California prepares for its upcoming primary elections, former President Donald Trump has once again made sweeping allegations about the integrity of the voting process. In a recent Fox News appearance, he asserted that California’s elections are “a fraud” and that its mail-in voting system is “a fraud.” These statements, while dramatic, lack solid evidence to support their claims. The debate over election methods has intensified in recent weeks, with Trump targeting the state’s voting infrastructure as part of his broader campaign to cast doubt on electoral outcomes.
Mail-in Voting: A Misunderstood System
Trump’s remarks during the interview included the assertion that “they don’t have voting booths. Everything’s by mail.” This claim, however, misrepresents the actual setup of California’s voting system. While it is true that all registered voters receive a mail-in ballot, the state also provides in-person voting options. These include traditional polling stations and specialized vote centers, which offer multiple voting booths for voters who prefer to cast their ballots physically.
“Any registered voter in California can decide whether to vote at a polling place or vote by mail,” the office of the state’s elections chief stated on its official website. This flexibility is a key feature of the state’s electoral process, designed to accommodate diverse voter preferences and ensure accessibility.
County-level resources further clarify that voters are not obligated to use mail-in ballots. For instance, Santa Clara County explained on its website: “Under the Voter’s Choice Act, every voter will automatically be sent a Vote by Mail ballot; however, you are not required to use it. Every voter also has the option to go to a vote center and vote in person instead. When you vote in person, your mail ballot will automatically be void. You may either surrender your unused ballot at the vote center or destroy and dispose of it yourself. Only one ballot will be accepted and counted per voter per election.”
These details underscore that California’s election system is multifaceted. In the 2024 general election, approximately 3.1 million ballots were cast at in-person locations, accounting for 19% of the total votes. This statistic highlights that mail-in voting remains a significant component of the state’s electoral infrastructure, but it is not the sole method. The presence of in-person voting options ensures that voters have choices, regardless of their preference for mail or physical ballots.
Attorney General Responds to Trump’s Claims
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, a Democrat, swiftly criticized Trump’s assertions on social media. “President Trump, once again, is lying,” Bonta wrote, responding to the claim that “nobody knows where they’re going” in the state’s election. He emphasized that the state’s election officials have a clear understanding of ballot distribution and tracking, debunking the idea that the process is opaque or prone to error.
Trump’s comments in the Fox News interview were not limited to mail-in voting. He also claimed that “no other country in the world is doing mail-in voting anymore because it’s a fraud.” This statement is factually incorrect. According to election experts, several nations—including Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, and Switzerland—continue to use mail-in voting as a legitimate method. While the specifics of each country’s policy differ, the practice remains widespread and well-established.
Despite this, Trump insists that mail-in ballots are inherently fraudulent. However, election analysts point out that while the incidence of fraud may be slightly higher with mail-in voting compared to in-person methods, the overall rate is minimal. In the federal elections, for example, the fraud rate is considered negligible, even with the increased use of mail-in ballots. This nuanced perspective contrasts sharply with Trump’s blanket accusations.
Trump’s “Jesus Christ” Remark: A Bold Claim
In a particularly striking moment during the interview, Trump told reporters that “If we had Jesus Christ come down and count the votes, I would have won California.” This bold declaration suggests that the state’s voting results are so skewed in favor of Democrats that even divine intervention would not have secured his victory. However, the reality is that California has consistently supported Democratic candidates in presidential elections.
Trump’s assertion that “they send out 38 million votes. Nobody knows where they’re going” is another example of his tendency to exaggerate. As of May 18, 2026, the state reported about 23.2 million registered voters. In the 2024 election, California’s total votes were approximately 22.6 million, with Trump losing by 20 percentage points. The idea of 15 million excess ballots being distributed without accountability is not supported by data, as election officials maintain detailed records of ballot distribution and tracking.
Historically, Trump has lost California by wide margins. In 2016, he received just over 4 million votes, which was 30 percentage points less than the Democratic candidate’s total. In 2020, the gap narrowed slightly to 29 percentage points, with over 5 million votes for the Democratic nominee. These results, combined with the state’s robust voter verification processes, demonstrate that Trump’s claims of widespread fraud are not backed by the evidence.
California’s election system is designed to be transparent and secure. With a mix of mail-in and in-person voting, the state ensures that every eligible citizen has the opportunity to participate. The ability to void a mail ballot if a voter chooses to cast their vote in person is a safeguard that prevents double voting and maintains the accuracy of the count. These measures, along with the state’s commitment to voter education, help reinforce the credibility of the electoral process.
Trump’s repeated attacks on California’s elections are part of a larger pattern. Over the years, he has consistently dismissed the state’s voting methods, often using hyperbolic language to frame them as fraudulent. While his critics argue that these claims are motivated by political strategy rather than factual accuracy, the data clearly shows that California’s elections are well-managed and trustworthy. The state’s voters, both in-person and mail-in, contribute to a system that has produced reliable outcomes, even in the face of political scrutiny.
In the days leading up to the primary elections, Trump’s statements have reignited discussions about the role of mail-in voting in American democracy. While the debate over election methods is valid and important, his repeated assertions without supporting evidence risk undermining public confidence in the system. California’s election officials and experts have consistently defended the integrity of the process, emphasizing that the state’s approach balances convenience with accountability.
As the primary election approaches, it is crucial to separate fact from rhetoric. Trump’s claims, though provocative, fail to account for the complexity and reliability of California’s electoral framework. The state’s voting system, with its blend of mail-in and in-person options, remains a cornerstone of democratic participation. The accuracy of the vote count, the transparency of ballot distribution, and the adaptability of the system to ensure voter choice all point to a well-functioning process that Trump has repeatedly sought to discredit.