A CNN fact-checker called out President Donald Trump's false claims that the presidential elections in 2016, 2020 and 2024 were "rigged" against him in a rant to reporters on Wednesday.
Trump was speaking to press at Joint Base Andrews when a reporter asked him if he saw himself in Spencer Pratt, a MAGA-backed Los Angeles mayoral candidate. The president called elections in California "dishonest," which CNN Senior Reporter Daniel Dale pointed out was false.
"If we had Jesus Christ come down and count the votes, I would've won California. Because I do great with Hispanics. But it's a rigged vote," Trump claimed.
Dale described why Trump's comments were incorrect.
"Truly bananas claim President Trump has made on multiple occasions. He lost California by 30 points in 2016 (more than 4 million votes), 29 points in 2020 (more than 5 million votes) and 20 points in 2024 (more than 3 million votes). Votes are counted accurately in every state," Dale wrote in a post on X.
Trump has repeatedly argued that elections are rigged against him, which started in his complaints about the 2020 presidential election, which he lost to Joe Biden. These claims have been rejected by election officials and courts, although Trump has continued making allegations about other elections and voting processes.
Truly bananas claim President Trump has made on multiple occasions. He lost California by 30 points in 2016 (more than 4 million votes), 29 points in 2020 (more than 5 million votes) and 20 points in 2024 (more than 3 million votes). Votes are counted accurately in every state. https://t.co/kDPuKobjTf
— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) May 20, 2026