Elections

Trump holds a campaign rally at Civic Center of Anderson in Anderson, SC. Estimated attendance: 5000. Part of the Primary season. Full transcript available (30,625 words).

Trump holds a campaign rally at Jacksonville Landing in Jacksonville, FL. An estimated 20,000 supporters attend. Part of the Primary season. Full transcript available (73,625 words).

Trump holds a campaign rally at Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks, NV. Estimated attendance: 2000. Part of the Primary season.

Trump holds a campaign rally at USS Wisconsin in Norfolk, VA. Estimated attendance: 2000. Part of the Primary season.

Trump holds a campaign rally at Pennichuck Middle School in Nashua, NH. Estimated attendance: 1000. Part of the Primary season. Full transcript available (37,719 words).

Trump holds a campaign rally at Flynn Center for the Performing Arts in Burlington, VT. Estimated attendance: 1400. Part of the Primary season. Full transcript available (12,370 words).

Trump holds a campaign rally at West Gymnasium, University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA. Estimated attendance: 2000. Part of the Primary season.

Trump holds a campaign rally at Living History Farms Visitor Center in Urbandale, IA. Estimated attendance: 100. Part of the Primary season. Full transcript available (10,554 words).

Trump holds a campaign rally at Muscatine High School in Muscatine, IA. Estimated attendance: 1000. Part of the Primary season. Full transcript available (12,462 words).

Trump holds a campaign rally at Sheslow Auditorium, Drake University in Des Moines, IA. Estimated attendance: 700. Part of the Primary season. Full transcript available (9,014 words).

Trump holds a campaign rally at Gerald W. Kirn Middle School in Council Bluffs, IA. Estimated attendance: 2000. Part of the Primary season.

Trump tweets that Ted Cruz "didnt win Iowa, he stole it" and calls for a "do-over" election, establishing his signature tactic of preemptively delegitimizing electoral outcomes.

Trump holds a campaign rally at Riverview Park Activities Center in North Augusta, SC. Estimated attendance: 2000. Part of the Primary season. Full transcript available (29,257 words).

Trump holds a campaign rally at Randy and Sara White's farm in Walterboro, SC. Estimated attendance: 4000. Part of the Primary season. Full transcript available (14,580 words).

Trump holds a campaign rally at Rose Ballroom in Sparks, NV. Estimated attendance: 3000. Part of the Primary season. Full transcript available (34,727 words).

In a scathing speech, Mitt Romney calls Donald Trump "a phony, a fraud" and warns Republicans that Trump's promises are "as worthless as a degree from Trump University."

Trump holds a campaign rally at Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, NC. An estimated 11,000 supporters attend. Part of the Primary season.

Trump holds a campaign rally at Peabody Opera House in St. Louis, MO. Estimated attendance: 3100. Part of the Primary season.

Trump holds a campaign rally at Dayton International Airport in Dayton, OH. An estimated 20,000 supporters attend. Part of the Primary season. Full transcript available (6,085 words).

Trump holds a campaign rally at Janesville Conference Center in Janesville, WI. Estimated attendance: 1000. Part of the Primary season.

Trump holds a campaign rally at David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, PA. Estimated attendance: 4500. Part of the Primary season.

Trump holds a campaign rally at Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg, PA. Estimated attendance: 6000. Part of the Primary season.

Trump holds a campaign rally at Charleston Civic Center in Charleston, WV. Part of the Primary season.

Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort meet with Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya at Trump Tower after being promised 'official documents and information that would incriminate Hillary.' The meeting was arranged by a Kremlin-connected intermediary who presented it as part of Russian government support for Trump. Trump Jr. initially claims the meeting was about adoptions, then later acknowledges it …

Trump holds a campaign rally at Gilley's Club in Dallas, TX. Estimated attendance: 3600. Part of the General Election rallies (2016). Full transcript available (32,728 words).

Trump holds a campaign rally at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum , Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix, AZ. Estimated attendance: 6000. Part of the General Election rallies (2016). Full transcript available (28,352 words).

Trump holds a campaign rally at Sharonville Convention Center in Cincinnati, OH. Estimated attendance: 7000. Part of the General Election rallies (2016).

Trump holds a campaign rally at Grand Park Event Center, Grand Park in Westfield, IN. Estimated attendance: 2000. Part of the General Election rallies (2016). Full transcript available (25,550 words).

WikiLeaks releases nearly 20,000 emails stolen from the Democratic National Committee by Russian military intelligence (GRU). The emails show DNC staffers favoring Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders during the primary, causing massive internal Democratic Party strife. US intelligence agencies later conclude with 'high confidence' that Russia orchestrated the hack and provided the emails to WikiLeaks as part of an operation …

At a press conference in Doral, Florida, Trump directly invites Russia to hack Hillary Clinton's deleted emails: 'Russia, if you're listening, I hope you're able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing.' The comment comes the same day WikiLeaks releases the first batch of DNC emails hacked by Russian intelligence. Trump later claims he was being 'sarcastic.' Intelligence agencies …

Trump holds a campaign rally at Windham High School in Windham, NH. Estimated attendance: 1500. Part of the General Election rallies (2016).

Trump holds a campaign rally at BB&T Center in Sunrise, FL. Part of the General Election rallies (2016).

Trump holds a campaign rally at Ziegler Family Expo Center, Washington County Fair Park & Conference Center in West Bend, WI. Estimated attendance: 2000. Part of the General Election rallies (2016). Full transcript available (11,700 words).

Trump holds a campaign rally at The Summit Sports and Ice Complex in Dimondale, MI. Estimated attendance: 5000. Part of the General Election rallies (2016). Full transcript available (14,155 words).

Trump holds a campaign rally at Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, AZ. Estimated attendance: 7500. Part of the General Election rallies (2016). Full transcript available (39,713 words).

Trump holds a campaign rally at Spooky Nook Sports in Manheim, PA. Estimated attendance: 6000. Part of the General Election rallies (2016).

Weeks before Election Day, Trump warns supporters the election is "rigged" against him. Pundits note this is unprecedented pre-delegitimization of an American election by a major party nominee.

Trump's baseless claim of millions of illegal votes, which directly led to the creation of the Voter Fraud Commission and seeded the 'stolen election' lie. Tweet text: "In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally"

Trump announces a 'major investigation' into voter fraud, leading to the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity (Pence Commission), which disbanded in 2018 having found no evidence of widespread fraud. Tweet text: "I will be asking for a major investigation into VOTER FRAUD, including those registered to vote in two states, those who are illegal and even those registered to …

The CIA delivers a classified assessment to the Senate concluding that Russia intervened in the 2016 presidential election with the specific purpose of helping Donald Trump win. The assessment says Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the influence campaign, which included hacking Democratic emails and spreading disinformation. Trump dismisses the intelligence, calling it a 'political witch hunt.'

Trump holds a campaign rally at Central Florida Fairgrounds in Orlando, FL. Part of the Thank You Tour (2016). Full transcript available (44,831 words).

Trump holds a campaign rally at Ladd–Peebles Stadium in Mobile, AL. Part of the Thank You Tour (2016). Full transcript available (27,031 words).

President Trump claims without evidence that 3-5 million illegal votes were cast in the 2016 election, costing him the popular vote. White House says the claim is based on Trump's "belief."

President Trump signs an executive order creating the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity, vowing a "major investigation" into voter fraud.

Trump abruptly disbands his own voter fraud commission after mass resistance from states and zero findings of widespread fraud. White House blames states for not cooperating, but the commission never issued any report.

Trump holds a campaign rally at Total Sports Park in Washington Township, MI. Part of the 2018 midterm rallies. Full transcript available (29,821 words).

The commission Trump created to prove voter fraud disbands without issuing any findings of widespread fraud. States overwhelmingly refused to hand over voter data.

Trump speaks by phone with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, pressuring him to announce an investigation into Joe and Hunter Biden while withholding $391 million in congressionally approved military aid. The "perfect phone call" becomes the basis for Trump's first impeachment. Giuliani runs a parallel shadow diplomacy campaign in Ukraine, attempting to launder disinformation about the Bidens through compromised Ukrainian officials. The …

President Trump escalates attacks on mail-in voting, claiming it will lead to "the most corrupt election in history." Says "never been a mail-in voting like this" and predicts fraud.

The Senate Intelligence Committee releases its final report on Russian election interference, confirming with bipartisan agreement that Russia intervened in the 2016 election to help Trump and that the Trump campaign 'welcomed' the help. The report contradicts Trump's repeated claims that the investigation was a 'hoax.' The committee recommends comprehensive election security reforms, most of which are never implemented.

During the first presidential debate, Trump is asked whether he condemns white supremacists and militia groups. He responds: "Proud Boys, stand back and stand by." The phrase functions as a coded command with plausible deniability. The Proud Boys celebrate. This is a textbook example of stochastic terrorism: using a public platform to incite followers to violence without explicit instructions.

In the first 2020 presidential debate moderated by Chris Wallace, Trump is asked directly whether he will condemn white supremacists and militia groups. He responds: 'Proud Boys, stand back and stand by. But I'll tell you what — somebody's got to do something about antifa and the left.' The Proud Boys celebrate the statement as a directive. The debate becomes …

"Frankly, we did win this election." In a 2:30 AM speech from the White House, Trump declares victory despite millions of ballots still uncounted. Claims "a fraud on the American public."

NBC's Peter Alexander reports Trump's "inconsistent" messaging: criticizing vote counting in Pennsylvania where his lead is shrinking while touting closing margins in Arizona. "One place it's legitimate and the other place it is not."

In a stunning address, Trump claims victory based on "legal votes" while alleging illegal ballots are being counted against him. Provides no evidence. Multiple networks cut away to fact-check in real time.

Rudy Giuliani holds a press conference at Four Seasons Total Landscaping in Philadelphia — a comedy of errors after booking the wrong venue. He makes numerous baseless claims about election fraud in Philadelphia, including that Republican poll observers were not allowed to observe counting. The event becomes a symbol of the disorganized and evidence-free nature of Trump's election challenge. The …

AG Bill Barr authorizes federal prosecutors to investigate "substantial allegations" of voting irregularities. The DOJ Election Crimes Branch chief resigns in protest the same day.

Trump demands a recount of Georgia's presidential votes after Biden wins the state by 11,779 votes. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican, orders a hand recount of all 5 million ballots. The recount confirms Biden's victory. Trump attacks Raffensperger personally and pressures him to 'find' votes. The confrontation culminates in the January 2, 2021 phone call where Trump …

The Department of Homeland Security states the 2020 election was "the most secure in American history." Sixteen federal prosecutors tell AG Barr there is no evidence of election fraud.

The Trump campaign files a lawsuit in Nevada alleging thousands of ineligible votes. Democrats call the lawsuit "baseless." The beginning of 62 post-election lawsuits.

Trump campaign legal advisor admits on live television there is "no evidence" to support the campaign's fraud claims — a moment that undercuts the entire legal strategy.

Attorney General William Barr tells the Associated Press the DOJ has found no evidence of widespread voter fraud that would change the election outcome. This directly contradicts Trump's claims.

Trump campaign operatives convene fake electors in seven swing states — Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Nevada, and New Mexico — who sign false certificates declaring Trump the winner. The fake certificates are sent to the National Archives and Congress. The scheme, orchestrated by Trump lawyer John Eastman and campaign officials, becomes a central part of the January 6 committee's …

Trump calls for a 'big protest' in DC on January 6th that 'will be wild', directly preceding the Capitol attack. Central to impeachment and criminal prosecution. Tweet text: "Peter Navarro releases 36-page report alleging election fraud 'more than sufficient' to swing victory to Biden. A great report by Peter. Statistically impossible to have lost the 2020 Election. Big protest in …

Trump tweets: 'Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild!' The tweet mobilizes thousands of supporters to travel to Washington for the January 6 certification. Extremist groups including the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers interpret the tweet as a call to action. The tweet becomes a key piece of evidence in the January 6 committee hearings …

In a now-infamous phone call, Trump pressures Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to "find 11,780 votes" — exactly one more than Biden's margin. "I just want to find 11,780 votes."

In a recorded phone call, Trump pressures Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to 'find 11,780 votes' — exactly one more than Biden's margin of victory in Georgia. Trump threatens Raffensperger with criminal prosecution if he doesn't act. The recording of the call is leaked and becomes one of the most damaging pieces of evidence of Trump's direct involvement in …

Trump considers replacing Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen with Jeffrey Clark, a DOJ official who supports Trump's election fraud claims. Trump meets with Clark at the White House. Rosen and Deputy AG Richard Donoghue threaten to resign en masse if Trump installs Clark. The episode, which Rosen later describes as an attempted coup at DOJ, is detailed in the January …

Trump lawyer John Eastman produces two memos outlining a six-step plan for Vice President Pence to reject or delay certification of the 2020 election results. The memos propose that Pence declare Trump the winner or send the election back to states. Eastman acknowledges the plan would violate the Electoral Count Act. The memos become a central focus of the January …

Trump launches a sustained pressure campaign against Vice President Mike Pence to refuse certification of the electoral votes on January 6. Trump publicly tweets that Pence should 'do the right thing' and privately pressures him in meetings and phone calls. Eastman argues that Pence has unilateral authority to reject electors — a theory rejected by Pence's legal counsel and every …

Trump tweets attacking Pence for following the Constitution and refusing to overturn the election, minutes before the Capitol was breached. Tweet text: "Mike Pence didn't have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which …

Trump releases a video telling rioters "we love you, you're very special" and to "go home" — more than three hours after the Capitol was breached, and after Pence called in the National Guard.

Thousands of Trump supporters storm the US Capitol, breaching doors and windows, forcing Congress to evacuate. The breach begins at 12:58 PM — before Trump finishes speaking. Five people die.

At the Ellipse rally, Trump tells thousands of supporters: "We're going to walk down to the Capitol… because you'll never take back our country with weakness. You have to show strength."

Trump's tweet during the Capitol breach, justifying the attack by claiming the election was stolen, before finally telling rioters to 'go home with love & in peace'. Tweet text: "These are the things and events that happen when a landslide election victory is unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly & unfairly treated for so …

Outtake footage shows Trump refusing to say "the election is over" during his scripted address the day after the insurrection. He ad-libs defensively rather than reading prepared remarks.

"Don't dare call them protesters — they were a riotous mob, insurrectionists, domestic terrorists." Biden delivers an impassioned condemnation of the attack.

Within days of the attack, the narrative shifts: it wasn't Trump supporters, but antifa/BLM posing as MAGA, or the FBI orchestrating a false flag. Officer Michael Fanone, beaten nearly to death, later directly debunks this.

New reporting reveals Trump made a separate December call to Georgia's chief election investigator, urging them to "find the fraud" and claiming they would be a "national hero."

The House of Representatives impeaches Trump for a second time, charging him with "incitement of insurrection" for his role in the January 6 Capitol attack. Ten Republicans vote yes.

In his first public speech since leaving office, Trump addresses CPAC 2021 in Orlando, declaring 'the incredible journey we began together four years ago is far from over.' He repeats the stolen election claim, attacks Republican defectors by name, hints at a 2024 run, and tells supporters: 'We will be victorious.' The speech establishes the template for Trump's post-presidency political …

Trump posts on Truth Social calling the January 6 Committee 'unselective' and continuing his election denial narrative during the committee's televised hearings.

Rep. Lofgren presents findings: 62 lawsuits filed by Trump and allies, 61 losses. 22 GOP-appointed judges — including 10 Trump appointees — dismissed every claim. GOP lawyer Ben Ginsburg: "No court ever found fraud credible."

Former AG Barr testifies that Trump was "detached from reality" regarding election fraud claims. Adds that Trump's claims were "complete nonsense" and "bullshit" — words he used directly to Trump.

Seth Meyers highlights how Rudy Giuliani admitted the Trump team had "no evidence" for their election fraud claims — after months of claiming they had mountains of proof.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger testifies that Trump's election fraud claims were false. "The numbers don't lie." Reveals that all allegations were investigated and debunked.

In sworn testimony, AG Barr reveals he told Trump personally that Georgia voter fraud claims had "no merit" and that the DOJ had investigated and found nothing.

Trump announces his third presidential campaign on Truth Social, setting up the 2024 election rematch.

Donald Trump surrenders and is arraigned at the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse, becoming the first former president to appear in court as a criminal defendant. He pleads not guilty to all 34 counts. The arraignment draws unprecedented media attention. Trump delivers a speech at Mar-a-Lago immediately afterward, claiming "the only crime I have committed is fearlessly defending our nation from those …

A federal grand jury in Miami indicts Donald Trump on 37 counts related to his handling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago, including willful retention of national defense information, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and false statements. The indictment alleges Trump showed classified documents to unauthorized visitors and conspired with aide Walt Nauta to hide documents from investigators. It is the first …

Trump appears before a federal magistrate judge in Miami for arraignment on 37 counts in the classified documents case. He pleads not guilty. Judge Jonathan Goodman sets conditions of release including no contact with co-defendant Walt Nauta about the case. Outside the courthouse, Trump supporters rally. Trump holds a fundraiser at his Bedminster golf club afterward, calling the prosecution "election …

Special Counsel Jack Smith obtains a federal grand jury indictment charging Donald Trump with four counts related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election: conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights. The indictment alleges Trump knowingly spread false claims of election …

Trump posts a series of Truth Social rants following his Georgia election interference indictment, calling the case a 'Witch Hunt' and attacking prosecutors.

A grand jury in Fulton County, Georgia indicts Trump and 18 allies on racketeering charges for conspiring to overturn the 2020 election. Gov. Brian Kemp refutes Trump's fraud claims again.

After weeks of teasing an "irrefutable report" that would prove election fraud in Georgia, Trump abruptly cancels the news conference. His legal team advises against it.

Sidney Powell — the Trump lawyer who promised to 'release the Kraken' and filed multiple failed lawsuits claiming Dominion voting machines flipped votes — pleads guilty in the Georgia election interference case. She admits to six misdemeanor counts of conspiracy to commit intentional interference with election duties. Powell agrees to testify truthfully against her co-defendants including Trump. The plea is …

"Release the J6 hostages. They've suffered enough. I call them hostages. Some people call them prisoners. I call them hostages." Trump reframes convicted Capitol rioters as victims.

Trump tells supporters "I am your retribution" at a campaign event, signaling a second term would focus on punishing political enemies. The retribution pledge becomes a central campaign theme, with Trump promising to investigate, prosecute, and imprison political opponents. The rhetoric normalizes using state power for political revenge and marks an explicit departure from traditional presidential campaigning.

Rep. Elise Stefanik echoes Trump's "hostage" language and refuses to commit to certifying the 2024 election results. Liz Cheney calls it "a disgrace."

Trump posts on Truth Social that he will pardon January 6 defendants on his 'first day back' in office, making the promise a central campaign pledge.

Former VP Mike Pence condemns Trump's "hostage" rhetoric: "It's very unfortunate at a time that there are American hostages being held in Gaza that the president refers to people moving through our justice system as hostages."

A Manhattan jury finds Donald Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to the hush money payment to Stormy Daniels. The verdict makes Trump the first former US president convicted of a crime. The jury deliberates for two days before reaching a unanimous verdict. Trump calls the trial "rigged" and "a disgrace." The conviction does …

The US Supreme Court rules 6-3 that former presidents have broad immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts performed while in office. The decision effectively derails the federal January 6 case against Trump, sending it back to lower courts to determine which acts were "official" versus "private." The ruling is a landmark expansion of presidential power, with the dissent calling …

Three days after the Butler shooting, Trump appears at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee with a white bandage over his right ear, to a prolonged standing ovation and chants of "Fight! Fight! Fight!" — echoing his fist-pump and shouted words immediately after being shot. The image of Trump with a bandaged ear, raised fist, and blood on his face …

Trump publicly blames President Biden and the Democratic Party for creating a "toxic atmosphere" that led to the assassination attempt, repeatedly citing Bidens "put a bullseye on Trump" comment from a private donor call. Trump demands military aircraft for campaign travel, citing security concerns. The claim that "Biden created the atmosphere for assassination" becomes a central campaign talking point, repeated …

Judge Juan Merchan sentences Donald Trump on his 34 felony convictions in the hush money case, imposing an unconditional discharge — no jail time, no probation, no fines. The lenient sentence reflects the unusual nature of the case and the legal complexities of incarcerating a former president. Trump avoids any tangible consequences for the convictions, but the sentence means he …

Trump holds a campaign rally at 800 E Crawford St in Prairie du Chien, WI. Part of the General Election rallies (2024). Full transcript available (33,949 words).

At a Pennsylvania rally, Trump preemptively claims voter fraud will occur in the 2024 election, echoing his 2016 and 2020 playbook. "They're going to cheat like hell," he tells supporters.

Four years to the day after the Capitol attack, Congress — presided over by VP Kamala Harris — certifies Trump's 2024 election victory without incident.

On his first day back in office, Trump signs sweeping pardons for approximately 1,500 January 6 defendants. "These are the hostages. Full pardon." Includes those convicted of assaulting police officers.

The Trump White House launches a website calling Jan 6 rioters "peaceful protesters" and "patriots," blaming Capitol Police for "escalating tensions" and falsely claiming Democrats "staged the real insurrection."

Oklahoma becomes the first state to mandate teaching Trump's false claims of 2020 election fraud in public schools, institutionalizing the counter-narrative at the state education level.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos concurrently posting on Truth Social, Trump threatens prosecutions for those involved in the 2020 election, effectively promising to use federal power to punish political opponents.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump announces: "People will soon be prosecuted for what they did. It was a rigged election. Everybody knows that now." Repeats the claim 7+ times.

Trump calls for federalizing US elections, citing false claims of fraud in Democratic-run states. Pushes the SAVE Act requiring proof of citizenship to register. Critics call it "a solution in search of a problem."

The FBI executes a search warrant at the Fulton County election center, seizing ballots and voting records related to the 2020 election. Trump allies celebrate; critics call it weaponization of federal law enforcement.

Trump walks out of a "Meet the Press" interview after repeatedly claiming California elections are "rigged" and "crooked." When moderator Kristen Welker asks for evidence, Trump says "all I have to do is look" and storms off.

After reality star Spencer Pratt loses a runoff, Trump claims it was a "rigged election" and "not possible" for Pratt to have lost. Election officials and fact-checkers debunk the claim.

"If we were to lose the midterms, heaven forbid, these Democrats, y'all impeachment's not even the big concern. They will turn every committee in congress into an investigative body, and they'll go after the president's family, the cabinet, his donors and friends. Half of you in this room will be targeted. I run a protection program, and I'll take care …

The U.S. Department of Justice requested unredacted records including full names, addresses, dates of birth, driver’s license numbers, and partial Social Security numbers. Josh Shapiro told the Trump administration to pound sand.