Trump unloads on Democrats defending SAVE America Act, saying 'they want to cheat'

Trump argues Democrats' resistance to citizenship proof reveals their political intentions
Trump says Democrats resist voter ID and restrictions on mail-in voting under the SAVE America Act because they ‘want to cheat’ (Getty Images)
Trump says Democrats resist voter ID and restrictions on mail-in voting under the SAVE America Act because they ‘want to cheat’ (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump launched into a blistering defense of election reform during an interview on Sunday, May 10, accusing Democrats of resisting voter integrity measures because, in his words, they “want to cheat.”

Speaking in an exchange with veteran journalist Sharyl Attkisson, Trump used the conversation to aggressively promote the SAVE America Act while once again attacking mail-in voting, the absence of voter identification requirements, and opposition to proof-of-citizenship measures.



Trump claims 'Dems want to cheat'

Asked about voting laws and the political battle over election security, Trump wasted little time before directly accusing Democrats of trying to weaken election safeguards.

“Anytime you have mail-in voting, you’re gonna have a rigged election,” Trump said.

He then shifted to voter identification, arguing that opposition to ID laws itself should raise suspicion.

“When somebody says, ‘We don’t want voter identification,’ that means they want to cheat,” he declared.

Trump also accused Democrats of resisting proof-of-citizenship requirements, arguing such opposition reveals their political intentions. “They don’t want citizenship. They don’t want proof of citizenship. They don’t want it to be part of the voting process,” he said.

“Ninety-seven percent of Republicans want voter ID,” Trump said, before adding that national support also exists.

“Even if you put Republicans and Democrats together, it’s still overwhelmingly supported.”

ROBSTOWN, TEXAS - OCTOBER 22: Former U.S President Donald Trump speaks at a 'Save America' rally on
Donald Trump speaks at a 'Save America' rally on October 22, 2022, in Robstown, Texas (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

 Trump invokes Jimmy Carter 

In a notable remark, Trump invoked former President Jimmy Carter despite noting that he was never a fan of Carter politically.

“I wasn’t a big fan of him as a president,” Trump said. “But Jimmy Carter had a committee made up of very respected people.”

Trump was referring to a bipartisan election reform commission that examined voting systems years ago. He claimed its conclusions backed his position.

“The primary finding of that committee was you can’t have mail-in voting. It’s crooked,” Trump said.

Trump’s remarks come as Republicans continue pushing the SAVE America Act as a major election issue heading into the next campaign cycle.

Supporters of the legislation argue it strengthens election security by requiring stronger verification measures, while critics say some provisions could make voting harder for eligible citizens.

Trump, however, presented the legislation as a common-sense safeguard and suggested Democratic resistance speaks for itself.

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Trump proposed a five-year exhibition dedicated to George Washington that would run through 2032, marking the 300th anniversary of his birth
1 hour ago
Trump pledged to issue a $5,000 dividend to all US adults if Republicans retain control of Congress after November’s midterm elections
2 hours ago
James Talarico holds 48 percent support to Ken Paxton’s 44 percent as independents give the Democrat a sizable edge
2 hours ago
CIA Director John Ratcliffe characterized it as 'the single largest release of CIA analysis related to 9/11 ever' 
3 hours ago
President Donald Trump said the war could take a tougher turn if Republicans lose control of Congress in the November 2026 midterms
4 hours ago
Elissa Slotkin warned that allowing Chinese vehicles into the US could threaten its manufacturing and jobs, particularly in Michigan’s auto industry
4 hours ago
Ilhan Omar has long denied that she married her brother, while DHS said it does not comment on ongoing investigations or potential future actions
4 hours ago
Trump emphasized that the US must maintain its lead over China in AI, warning that falling behind could put America in a 'very bad position'
4 hours ago
President Donald Trump pointed to his foreign policy and trade record while reflecting on his 11 years of influence in US politics
5 hours ago
The administration said the refunds address excess marketplace user fees, which it says were passed to consumers through higher premiums under Biden
6 hours ago