Trump suddenly explodes over 'rigged election' claims during live Iran interview
President Trump: “You’re right. In 2020, I got more votes than anybody in history, Republican Party, but the election was rigged… You saw it in California… Spencer Pratt did really pretty d*mn well and they threw him out. And it was happening to Steve Hilton and I went on a… pic.twitter.com/l8Ecz6GmJ3
— RedWave Press (@RedWavePress) June 11, 2026
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Thursday, June 11, abruptly shifted a live television discussion about Iran to renewed claims that US elections are “rigged,” after a question from Fox & Friends co-host Brian Kilmeade referenced the 2020 presidential race.
Trump had called into the program to discuss escalating tensions with Iran and possible future military action. During the interview, he acknowledged that Americans may not have the appetite for a prolonged conflict in the Middle East.
Kilmeade responded by noting that Trump had received more votes than any Republican presidential candidate in history, including during the 2020 election.
Trump repeats 2020 election claims
The mention of the 2020 contest prompted Trump to revisit long-standing allegations about the election.
“I will say you mentioned 2020, you’re right, in 2020, I got more votes than anybody in the history of the Republican Party, but the election was rigged,” Trump said. “But in 2024, I really got more. we made it too big to rig.”
He added that Republicans had performed strongly in 2020 and again asserted that the election had been unfairly conducted.
Trump discusses California elections
Trump then turned his attention to California’s election process, claiming that Republican candidates had faced unfair treatment during vote counting and certification procedures.
He cited recent election contests involving media personality Spencer Pratt and Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton, arguing that delays in reporting results raised concerns about the integrity of the process.
According to Trump, public scrutiny and criticism helped ensure that election outcomes were certified more quickly.
Trump push for SAVE America Act
The president used the interview to renew his call for Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, legislation backed by Republicans that would require proof of citizenship for voter registration and include additional election security measures.
“It is a rigged election,” Trump said before urging lawmakers to move forward with the proposal.
Trump argued that stronger voter verification requirements are needed to restore public confidence in elections.
As the discussion drifted further from its original topic, Kilmeade attempted to steer the conversation back to Iran.
Trump eventually agreed to return to the subject, joking that the situation involving Iran was “much simpler” than the debate over election integrity.
