Donald Trump Jr. faced backlash on Friday for pushing a new election fraud conspiracy theory.
The former president's eldest son claimed a new Time report about efforts to "fortify" the election from "an autocratically inclined President" was actually proof the election had been rigged against him -- although the magazine's report made clear the efforts were separate from Joe Biden's campaign and intended only to preserve the vote's integrity.
"The scenario the shadow campaigners were desperate to stop was not a Trump victory," the report states. "It was an election so calamitous that no result could be discerned at all, a failure of the central act of democratic self-governance that has been a hallmark of America since its founding."
That was enough for Trump Jr. and other right-wingers to declare the election had been tilted against a president who tried to undermine it though Postal Service meddling, lawsuits and state voting restrictions.
"According to Time the election was 'Fortified' but not rigged," Trump Jr. tweeted. "Definitely not rigged. This is insanity, but everyone should read to learn exactly how bad it was."
According to Time the election was “Fortified" but not rigged. Definitely not rigged. This is insanity, but everyone should read to learn exactly how bad it was. https://t.co/dPbXhvGGcx
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) February 5, 2021
The pushback was swift and fierce.
I don't think you read this article.
— Myonlinealias 🇺🇸❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 (@Myonlinealias1) February 5, 2021
So making sure American citizens have access to vote, understand the voting process, and have faith in the democratic process of voting is not a good thing? Ensuring our voting system can withstand attacks is bad? Transparency is bad?
— Jennifer (@jenhuryn) February 5, 2021
You really need to learn how to read beyond the first sentence. The story is about "a vast, cross-partisan campaign to protect the election–an extraordinary shadow effort dedicated not to winning the vote but to ensuring it would be free and fair, credible and uncorrupted."
— Dave Agar (@dave1agar) February 5, 2021
The Electoral College is a form of gerrymandering, so yes, the election was rigged ... in your favor.
— Antony Lupton (@MancTonyLupton) February 5, 2021
Thank God there was a non-partisan effort to make sure the election was free and fair.
I noticed that all you conspiracy peddlers scanned the article to find the word “cabal" which satisfies the lunatic rabid conspiracy mob when taken out of context. Lol. Great catch. 🙄
— JD Wear a mask! Democracy has prevailed! (@JDJC6251) February 5, 2021
Maybe you should grab a dictionary if you don't understand these big words. pic.twitter.com/qFq1JN59DP
— Laurel Ann (@LaurelAnn78) February 5, 2021
Did YOU read the article jr? The final paragraph “democracy won in the end. The will of the people prevailed. But it's crazy, in retrospect, that this is what it took to put on an election in the United States of America."
— ClutteredMind (@Juliesboys) February 5, 2021
You know your fans don't have the brainpower to read a full Time article. Maybe compress it into a 30sec YouTube vid?
— The Truth Gnome (@TheTruthGnome) February 5, 2021
Isn't there a line you should be sniffing
— christian merritt (@christi5927) February 5, 2021
Congratulations for finally posting a tweet that's not about Hunter Biden's laptop!
— Steve Gallagher (@SteveGallaghe10) February 5, 2021
Did you read this article?
— MirKumari (@MirKumari) February 5, 2021
Sounds like many Republicans and Democrats were fed up with a lazy bully and put up a concerted effort to put him out to pasture. Never underestimate the power of hard work.
— Chiliwillow (@Chiliwillow) February 5, 2021
They will learn just how bad Trump tried to rig the election for himself. Just watch the impeachment trial.
— Rick Graen (@GraenRick) February 5, 2021
Misinformation junior pic.twitter.com/5RCuVjwsEw
— The Duke of Kutulo (@spring_post) February 5, 2021
