Trump's Late-night Rant Fuels Outrageous Voting Conspiracies
WHO:
The Daily Beast - President Donald Trump, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Republican Steve Hilton, Democrats Xavier Becerra, Tom Steyer, Karen Bass, Spencer Pratt, Nithya Raman
WHAT:
The Daily Beast - In the California governor all-party primary, Republican Steve Hilton is currently ahead with 27.6 percent, followed by Democrats Xavier Becerra (25.6 percent) and Tom Steyer (19.8 percent).
The Daily Beast - In the Los Angeles mayoral race, incumbent Mayor Karen Bass has already advanced to a run-off, with Spencer Pratt in second place on 29.9 percent and Democrat Nithya Raman in third on 22.8 percent.
The Daily Beast - Trump accused Democrats of “cheating” in California elections and suggested that mail-in ballots are a form of fraud.
The Daily Beast - Trump posted on Truth Social at 12:48 a.m. and 1:05 a.m. regarding the California gubernatorial primary and Los Angeles mayoral primary.
The Daily Beast - As of early Thursday morning, only 56 percent of the votes had been counted in the California governor all-party primary, and 62 percent had been counted in the Los Angeles mayoral election.
Alternet - Trump claimed, “The Dumocrats are at it again! They are trying to STEAL THE GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA PRIMARY, AND THE MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES, PRIMARY, AWAY FROM TWO GREAT REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES.”
Alternet - Trump stated, “There’s BIG cheating by the Dumocrats in California. Votes are all tied up. May not be in for weeks. Under investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles.”
WHERE:
The Daily Beast - California, Los Angeles
WHEN:
The Daily Beast - Trump’s posts were made at 12:48 a.m. and 1:05 a.m. ET.
The Daily Beast - The California gubernatorial primary and Los Angeles mayoral primary are ongoing.
WHY:
The Daily Beast - Trump has a history of opposing mail-in ballots, claiming they lead to voter fraud.
HOW:
The Daily Beast - Trump stated, “Here we go with the very late and massive numbers of MAIL IN BALLOTS,” in a post at 12:48 a.m. ET.
The Daily Beast - Trump utilized his Truth Social account to express his views and accusations regarding the elections.
(UPDATED June 4, 2026 17:54 UTC)
In the California governor all-party primary, Republican Steve Hilton is leading with 27.6 percent, followed closely by Democrats Xavier Becerra at 25.6 percent and Tom Steyer with 19.8 percent. Meanwhile, in the Los Angeles mayoral race, incumbent Mayor Karen Bass has advanced to a run-off, with Spencer Pratt in second place at 29.9 percent and Democrat Nithya Raman trailing in third at 22.8 percent. Trump commented on the situation, stating, “Here we go with the very late and massive numbers of MAIL IN BALLOTS,” in a post made at 12:48 a.m. ET.
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(UPDATED June 4, 2026 13:59 UTC)
President Trump has accused Democrats of cheating in the California elections, claiming that mail-in ballots are a form of fraud. He expressed these views on Truth Social early in the morning, where he stated that there is significant cheating happening and that the votes may not be fully counted for weeks, as only 56 percent of the votes in the gubernatorial primary and 62 percent in the mayoral election have been tallied so far. Trump's comments come as the California gubernatorial primary and the Los Angeles mayoral primary are still ongoing, with investigations reportedly underway by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles.