As the last few states finish their counts in the 2020 election, President Donald Trump has issued several messages about the process, mostly lying that widespread voter fraud tipped the election to President-elect Joe Biden.
The Trump campaign has filed numerous lawsuits across multiple states, falsely claiming widespread voter fraud in Biden's favor.
Trump and his allies have also frequently reminded Americans that the "media doesn't decide elections," alleging that media outlets called the race too early for Biden and reminding them that not all the votes have been counted—even though Biden's victory is a mathematical certainty.
The President, however had a different reaction when the Associated Press—one of the first prominent outlets to call an overall victory for Biden—announced that Trump had won the state of Alaska and its three electoral votes.
In response, Trump took the victory as fact before proceeding to tell even more lies about the integrity of U.S. elections.
Trump tweeted:
"It took long enough! What is taking North Carolina so long?"
"Are they looking for more ballots to fix that one also? Now with a recount, we will win Georgia also."
"Pennsylvania & Michigan wouldn't let our Poll Watchers & Observers into counting rooms. Illegal!"
It took long enough! What is taking North Carolina so long? Are they looking for more ballots to fix that one also? Now with a recount, we will win Georgia also. Pennsylvania & Michigan wouldn't let our Poll Watchers & Observers into counting rooms. Illegal! https://t.co/TVTVv4s5Lx
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 12, 2020
CNN's fact checker, Daniel Dale, used the moment to map out the President's logic when responding to election calls, writing:
"Trying to keep the Trump arguments straight:"
"When news outlets call states for Trump, that means he won. When news outlets call states for Biden, that is meaningless."
"When Trump gains ground in a state as counting continues, that's good. When Biden gains ground, that's fraud."
Trying to keep the Trump arguments straight:
When news outlets call states for Trump, that means he won. When news outlets call states for Biden, that is meaningless.
When Trump gains ground in a state as counting continues, that's good. When Biden gains ground, that's fraud.
— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) November 12, 2020
Dale was not alone in his assessment.
It's a blatant LIE that Trump's “people" were not allowed to participate in the poll watching process in MI & PA. It's been nine days since the election & Trump is *still* whining about having LOST those 2 states (& by greater margins than he won them in 2016!).
— MURRAY🧢🇺🇸 (@murray_nyc) November 12, 2020
pic.twitter.com/v5F1RUPLda
— Syd 🌊🌊🌊 (@gsmhiker1) November 12, 2020
That's the scary part..... Trump has always been a narcissistic loon but the fact that now roughly 40-45% of this country believes every lie out of his mouth is simply terrifying.
— Dave Williams (@DaveWil17965792) November 12, 2020
I think you're right...we certainly did not see this type of rabid, undying loyalty and hero worship with Romney, McCain, or either Bushes. Although Trump supporters would argue it's because they were all part of the "deep state."Only the NY penthouse billionaire is an "outsider"
— Dave Williams (@DaveWil17965792) November 12, 2020
The only acceptable outcome to them is the one where he wins, and everyone who disagrees with them is silenced or oppressed.
— 🌊 Jumpsuits For Trumpsuits 🌊🆘 (@JumptyTrumpty) November 12, 2020
"When Trump gains ground in a state as counting continues, that's good. When Biden gains ground, that's fraud." pic.twitter.com/FH69vMKJRb
— NotATweeter16 (@NotATweeter16) November 12, 2020
Many had a message for the President.
Joe Biden won the election. You are such a sore loser. There is no way that the courts are going to overturn the election results in 3 states.
YOU LOST!
GET
OVER
IT!
— Mrs. Krassenstein (@HKrassenstein) November 12, 2020
#CoupDeToddler !
— KennyT on the mountain (@ktblue99) November 12, 2020
Please keep crying sir, we love the crying
— Noble Prize in Sarcasm (@rewegreatyet) November 12, 2020
What gives, Nostradumbass? pic.twitter.com/9jCeg8r8U8
— 𝓞𝔀𝓷𝓡𝓾𝓵𝓮𝓼 (@OwnRules) November 12, 2020
As of Thursday morning, President-elect Biden has garnered 290 electoral votes, 20 over the 270 needed to win. Trump has garnered just 217, giving Biden an insurmountable lead.
In the popular vote, Biden earned 77,241,903 to Trump's 72,095,793, a lead of 5,146,110 votes.