According to a report by Mediaite on Saturday, December 30, 2023, former President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform to make unsubstantiated and false claims that Democrats are allowing millions of migrants into the country in order to register them to vote.
In a rambling, multi-post screed, Trump told his followers, “It’s becoming more and more obvious to me why the ‘Crazed’ Democrats are allowing millions and millions of totally unvetted migrants into our once great Country. IT’S SO THEY CAN VOTE, VOTE, VOTE.”
He went on to warn, “They are signing them up at a rapid pace, without even knowing who the hell they are. It all makes sense now.”
Trump added that “Republicans better wake up and do something, before it is too late,” even calling out Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell by name, saying “Are you listening Mitch McConnell?”
However, Trump provided no evidence to back up his claims. Non-citizens, including both legal and undocumented immigrants, are not eligible to vote in federal elections. And there is no credible data showing widespread voter fraud by immigrants occurring.
This is not the first time Trump has made inflammatory and questionable comments regarding immigration and voting. Earlier this month, he claimed immigrants were “poisoning the blood of our country” and drew comparisons to Adolf Hitler’s rhetoric.
In response to Trump’s latest social media commentary, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said, “In reality, undocumented immigrants do not have the right to vote in the U.S.
The fact we have to keep reiterating this is a disturbing symptom of the spread of Donald Trump’s Big Lie about the 2020 election.”
Bates added that the former president’s words were “inaccurate, irresponsible and inflammatory.” Other Democrats accused Trump of fear-mongering about immigrants in order to rile up his base and distract from pressing policy matters.
Some Republican leaders attempted to distance themselves from Trump’s rhetoric but stopped short of outright condemnation.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s office declined requests for comment on being called out by name in Trump’s post.
A recent AP-NORC poll found that 32% of Republicans still believe Democrat Joe Biden’s 2020 election win was “likely or definitely” not legitimate.
Trump’s continued perpetuation of false claims about immigration and voting seems intended to further sow doubts about U.S. elections in his loyal followers’ minds.
While Trump remains the early frontrunner for the 2024 GOP nomination, his rhetoric about migrants and voting has unsettled some party leaders who see it as toxic and counterproductive.
They argue comments like these could undermine Republicans’ chances in the next presidential election should Trump be the nominee.
“These falsehoods need to stop,” said Republican strategist Karl Rove. “They are harmful to the country and to the party. We need a rational debate on immigration based on facts, not baseless conspiracy theories that divide Americans.”
Whether Trump’s late-night social media ranting will hurt his standing with the Republican base remains to be seen. For now, the former president continues his attempts to falsely paint migrants and Democrats as threats to election security.
