Trump Claims China Had Stolen Voter Data, Raises Midterm Security Concerns

Trump accused China of illegally obtaining 220 million voter records, claiming the data was used to influence the 2020 election. He called his claims “shocking vulnerabilities” in American voting systems, alleging that foreign adversaries could manipulate outcomes.

The ex‑president’s remarks come after a Washington Post–Ipsos poll showed his approval rating down. He said he had declassified intelligence files supporting his accusations and urged Congress to act on the SAVE America Act, a bill that would ban most mail‑in voting and require photo ID.

U.S. intelligence agencies, however, have repeatedly stated that China did not interfere in the 2020 election. A 2021 National Intelligence Council report gave “high confidence” that China did not deploy interference efforts intended to change the outcome of the U.S. presidential election.

Democrats reacted quickly, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer warning that “voters choose their leaders, not the other way around.” He said the president’s push could erode voter confidence and possibly depress turnout in November.

Trump also highlighted a Michigan law‑enforcement investigation in which a Democratic‑affiliated group allegedly ran a voter‑registration fraud scheme, but the FBI was said to have been constrained by the statute of limitations.

The speech is likely to strengthen the divide over election security ahead of the midterms. Whether the SAVE America Act will pass remains uncertain, as it faces significant opposition in the Senate.