Trump's Influence on Elections Faces Growing Scrutiny and Critique

WHO:

Slate Magazine - President Donald Trump, Spencer Pratt, Karen Bass, Nithya Raman, Bill Essayli, Chad Dunn, Gavin Newsom, Matt Barreto, Justin Heap, Rachel Mitchell, Stephen Miller, Dan Vicuña

Alternet - President Donald Trump, Rachel Mitchell, Justin Heap, Christine Blasey Ford, Brett Kavanaugh, Dan Vicuña

WHAT:

Slate Magazine - Trump claimed there was "BIG cheating by the Dumocrats in California" without providing evidence.

Slate Magazine - Bill Essayli announced multiple election fraud investigations in California.

Slate Magazine - Nithya Raman overtook Spencer Pratt by nearly 22,000 votes in the Los Angeles mayoral race.

Slate Magazine - Trump endorsed Spencer Pratt two weeks before California's primary.

Alternet - Rachel Mitchell filed a lawsuit against America First Legal, alleging an "unprecedented power grab."

Alternet - Dan Vicuña stated that Trump's policies aim to avoid accountability to voters in the midterm elections.

WHERE:

Slate Magazine - Los Angeles, California

Alternet - Maricopa County, Arizona

WHEN:

Slate Magazine - California's nonpartisan primary was held on June 2.

Alternet - A legal filing by Rachel Mitchell was made on June 8.

WHY:

Slate Magazine - Trump is attempting to limit mail voting and federalize U.S. elections.

Alternet - Vicuña suggested Trump's actions are motivated by a desire to protect his power and ego.

HOW:

Slate Magazine - California's vote-by-mail system accepts ballots postmarked on or before Election Day and received within seven days of the election.

Alternet - Trump is trying to nationalize voting processes and has called for law enforcement to be deployed at voting places.

(UPDATED June 11, 2026 18:05 UTC)

President Trump has claimed there was "BIG cheating by the Dumocrats in California," although he did not provide any evidence to support this assertion. In the Los Angeles mayoral race, Nithya Raman has overtaken Spencer Pratt by nearly 22,000 votes, following Trump's endorsement of Pratt just two weeks before the California primary, which took place on June 2. Meanwhile, Rachel Mitchell has filed a lawsuit against America First Legal, alleging an "unprecedented power grab," while Dan Vicuña criticized Trump's policies as an attempt to avoid accountability to voters in the upcoming midterm elections.