Trump declares California election stolen while votes continue to be counted

WorldPolitics
4 Jun 2026 • 5:06 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Trump declares California election stolen while votes continue to be counted

  • Donald Trump accused Democrats of "BIG cheating" in California's gubernatorial and Los Angeles mayoral primary races, without providing evidence.
  • He made these claims on Truth Social, alleging Democrats are trying to "steal" the elections and questioning the "very late and massive numbers of MAIL IN BALLOTS" and vote counting delays.
  • The accusations came before final results were tallied for California's open primary, where the top two vote-getters advance to the general election regardless of party.
  • Trump prematurely congratulated Steve Hilton on winning the gubernatorial primary, despite results not being confirmed, and pledged federal support if Hilton became governor.
  • These claims echo Trump's unsubstantiated allegations of widespread fraud following the 2020 election, which culminated in the January 6 Capitol riot.

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