Former President Trump is seen at his Mar-a-Lago home on Nov. 15, 2022, in Palm Beach, Florida. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Former President Trump on Saturday falsely cited election fraud as a reason to terminate the Constitution, after Elon Musk released information about Twitter’s role in limiting access to a story about Hunter Biden.
What he’s saying: “So, with the revelation of MASSIVE & WIDESPREAD FRAUD & DECEPTION in working closely with Big Tech Companies, the DNC, & the Democrat Party, do you throw the Presidential Election Results of 2020 OUT and declare the RIGHTFUL WINNER, or do you have a NEW ELECTION?” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
- “A Massive Fraud of this type and magnitude allows for the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution,” he continued. “Our great ‘Founder’ did not want, and would not condone, False & Fraudulent Elections!”
Between the lines: The statement comes after “Twitter Files” were released Friday by Musk. The files focused on “free speech suppression,” regarding a decision by the former management of the social media platform to limit access to a New York Post story on Hunter Biden’s laptop three weeks before the 2020 presidential election.
- Twitter said it blocked the story because of a company policy on hacked and stolen materials, Axios reports.
- Conservatives, meanwhile, argued at the time that Twitter was censoring the news.
What they’re saying: The White House condemned Trump’s words in a statement sent to Axios on Saturday.
- “The American Constitution is a sacrosanct document that for over 200 years has guaranteed that freedom and the rule of law prevail in our great country. The Constitution brings the American people together – regardless of party – and elected leaders swear to uphold it,” the statement from White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates said.
- “It’s the ultimate monument to all of the Americans who have given their lives to defeat self-serving despots that abused their power and trampled on fundamental rights. Attacking the Constitution and all it stands for is anathema to the soul of our nation, and should be universally condemned. You cannot only love America when you win,” the statement said.
The big picture: In the weeks since launching his 2024 reelection bid, Trump has been making headlines more for controversy than his campaign.
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Trump talks with white nationalist Nick Fuentes at Mar-a-Lago dinner
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with a statement from the White House.
