Donald Trump is questioning the integrity of the 2026 midterm elections, suggesting that voting machines and large early-voting totals may have determined the outcome rather than the voters themselves.
In a Monday morning Truth Social post, Trump asked, “Does anybody really believe that this ‘Election’ was honest. How could the Polls be so wrong???”
He went on to complain that some early-voting totals were so large that Republican candidates had no chance of winning, regardless of how many people turned out to vote.
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Trump concluded his post by declaring, “It’s all about the machines, which are far more important than the voter!”
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The comments come after Democrats made significant gains in the November 3 midterm elections, flipping control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The results leave Republicans facing a major shift in congressional power when the new Congress takes office in January.
The post marks a reversal from Trump’s initial response to the election results. On election night, he told The New York Times he was “absolutely willing” to accept the outcome. The Associated Press also reported that Trump acknowledged his party’s losses and said he was willing to work with Democrats as the results became clear.
That acceptance did not last long. By Saturday, Trump was reposting social media content questioning Democratic gains and suggesting the vote totals needed further examination. Monday’s post went further by directly questioning whether the election was honest.
Trump’s concerns about voting machines also come as election-related claims have circulated online throughout the campaign. FactCheck.org examined allegations that electronic voting machines were switching votes and found no evidence of deliberate vote switching. Election experts cited in its October 28 report said reported problems were generally associated with touchscreen calibration or voter error.
There were, however, isolated equipment problems during the November 3 election. The Associated Press reported that ballot scanners experienced problems in Westchester County, New York, while a malfunction delayed voting at polling locations in Broward County, Florida. Officials addressed those issues, and the AP described Election Day as largely peaceful, with relatively few disruptions. Neither incident establishes that votes were manipulated or that voting machines changed the election outcome.
Trump has not provided evidence in his Monday post to support his suggestion that early-voting totals or voting machines determined the election results. He also has not identified specific jurisdictions, machines or vote counts that he believes were affected.
The claims come as Democrats prepare to take control of both chambers of Congress in January. The change will give Democrats greater control over the legislative agenda, congressional investigations and the committees responsible for overseeing the federal government.
For voters, questions about election integrity deserve answers backed by records, audits and verifiable evidence. Election results are determined by ballots cast and counted under state election laws, not by whether a candidate or political party agrees with the outcome.
As states continue their post-election processes, any documented problems can be examined through established procedures. Trump’s social media accusations, however, do not establish that the 2026 midterm results were fraudulent.
