Trump questions midterm election honesty days after accepting the results

An about-face after election night

Donald Trump used Truth Social on Monday, 9 November, to question whether the US midterm elections held on 3 November were honest. Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress, handing Republicans heavy losses. On election night Trump told the New York Times he was "absolutely willing" to accept the outcome, and he said he was prepared to work with Democrats when the new Congress begins in January. The Monday post departs sharply from that position.

In the message, Trump asked whether anyone really believes the vote was honest, and he wondered how the polls could have been so wrong. He claimed that some early-vote totals were so large that winning was impossible, however many people turned out. He argued that the voting machines matter far more than the voter. It was the first time he had questioned the result since the vote.

“Does anybody really believe that this 'Election' was honest”

The post offered no supporting data.

Staff changes and the 2020 backdrop

Trump announced on Friday, 6 November, that Stephen Miller would replace Susie Wiles as his chief of staff. Wiles had held the post, and the change came days after the midterm losses. On election night Trump had also acknowledged that the war he started against Iran and his immigration policies may have pushed voters against the Republican Party. Trump has still not accepted his defeat to Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election, and he has repeatedly questioned the reliability of mail-in voting.

Races still open

Not every race has been called. US Senate contests in Alaska and Mississippi remain unresolved. State and local officials across the US reported mostly smooth elections this year. The new Congress begins its session in January, when Democrats will hold both chambers.