On Thursday, August 20, President Trump once again argued that voting should be made harder and more restrictive for Americans, this time claiming that the Democratic National Convention required an ID and, thus, so should the elections.
President Trump's logic would have been fairly shaky even if based on the truth. But, as is the case so often with President Trump, there were no facts behind his argument.
The Democratic National Convention was held entirely online and, thus, not a singe person had to show an ID card with their picture to attend. It was open to anyone with an internet connection.
To get into the Democrat National Convention, you must have an ID card with a picture...Yet the Democrats refuse to… https://t.co/ztSU9OynpX— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump)1597970567.0
The fact that this year's convention was held online has been well-publicized.
In fact, it's been a major talking point in most media coverage of the four-day event.
@realDonaldTrump Who’s going to be the one to tell him the convention was virtual?— Palmer Report (@Palmer Report)1597970873.0
@BettyBowers @realDonaldTrump Also, this tweet is makes no sense. The DNC has an invitation list. Voting is open to all— Dustin Ginsberg (@Dustin Ginsberg)1597970827.0
Even if Trump were telling the truth about DNC attendance requiring ID, most well-informed citizens understand that being one of the several hundred electors who vote at the convention is very different from the everyday situation of most Americans.
@realDonaldTrump I... hope you didn’t just try to enter an empty Milwaukee convention hall,— Elizabeth Picciuto 🌱 (@Elizabeth Picciuto 🌱)1597971162.0
@realDonaldTrump Imagine being this proud of being a complete idiot. But here we are.— Angela Belcamino (@Angela Belcamino)1597971259.0
Many people online couldn't believe the President of the United States would tweet such a misinformed, manipulative statement.
@realDonaldTrump Great question. Follow up question, do you have any idea who you are and what year it is right now?— Liddle’ Savage (@Liddle’ Savage)1597970990.0
@realDonaldTrump FYI the convention is virtual! I live in Wisconsin and I’ve had to show my ID to vote for years! I… https://t.co/hPFeRMT9IB— Robbin ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 🧶 (@Robbin ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 🧶)1597970857.0
@realDonaldTrump I had to provide my ID and SSN to register and request a mail-in ballot and the ballot won't be se… https://t.co/b7U9voFlJQ— 🌊 Shane 74 days 🏴☠️🆘️🇺🇸😷 (@🌊 Shane 74 days 🏴☠️🆘️🇺🇸😷)1597971453.0
Twitter accused the President of trying, once again, to spread misleading information about the voting process.
@realDonaldTrump Any time you or your GOP friends want to give every American citizen a free federal ID card, then… https://t.co/5ij5YjVUwa— David Atkins (@David Atkins)1597971360.0
@realDonaldTrump I mean, getting into a convention isn't a right guaranteed by the Constitution, but keep wondering.— Nick Jack Pappas (@Nick Jack Pappas)1597970716.0
@realDonaldTrump The President doesn't have to be the smartest person in the country, but it would help if he wasn't the dumbest.— Nick Jack Pappas (@Nick Jack Pappas)1597970791.0
Was President Trump counting on everyone to just forget they'd watched the convention online? What was his plan here?
@realDonaldTrump You are an idiot, seriously.— David Weissman (@David Weissman)1597970619.0
@realDonaldTrump there's no physical convention, it's all being held online, so what are you even talking about. lie better, gramps— Jeff Tiedrich (@Jeff Tiedrich)1597972694.0
@realDonaldTrump Excuse me, sir, this is a Wendy's— sir_this_is_a_wendys (@sir_this_is_a_wendys)1597970598.0
It seems President Trump may have pushed a few voters over to Biden with this message.
@realDonaldTrump https://t.co/vBOHdCgLB0— Sam JK (@Sam JK)1597970615.0
@realDonaldTrump Great question. Follow up question, do you have any idea who you are and what year it is right now?— Liddle’ Savage (@Liddle’ Savage)1597970990.0
President Trump has repeatedly made it clear he would like voting to be harder for Americans and has said explicitly that he thinks this will help him win the election.
Perhaps voters will take their right to vote seriously enough that they remember the President's lies come November.