The 2020 Election: Lies, Manipulation, and the Fallout
The 2020 U.S. presidential election was not just contentious—it was weaponized. Donald Trump and his enablers waged war on reality itself, fabricating baseless claims of fraud to undermine the democratic process. What followed was a relentless campaign of deception—lawsuits with no merit, audits designed to stoke doubt, and a deliberate erosion of faith in elections, all culminating in the unprecedented violence of January 6, 2021.
This was not about uncovering the truth. It was about manufacturing a narrative, manipulating millions into believing they had been robbed, and inciting them to act on that false belief. But what was real? Did the courts find a shred of evidence to support these claims? Or was this the greatest con in American political history?
The question is no longer whether the election was fair—it was, confirmed by every legal and independent audit. The real question is: How did so many people come to believe the opposite? And what happens when a democracy is infected with a lie so pervasive that it threatens to bring the entire system down?
This is the legacy of 2020—a moment when truth itself became the battleground.
Trump’s Claims of Election Fraud
Following his loss to Joe Biden, Trump and his allies made a series of explosive allegations:
Mass Mail-in Ballot Fraud: Trump claimed that mail-in ballots were “rigged” against him and that fraudulent votes were cast in record numbers.
Quote (Nov 5, 2020, via Twitter): "STOP THE COUNT!"
Vote Flipping by Voting Machines: Trump suggested that voting machines, particularly those made by Dominion Voting Systems, flipped votes from him to Biden.
Quote (Nov 12, 2020, via Twitter): "Dominion deleted 2.7 million Trump votes nationwide. Data analysis finds 221,000 PA votes switched from Trump to Biden."
Dead People Voting & Ballot Dumping: Claims surfaced that deceased individuals had cast votes and that Democratic-led cities “dumped” fake ballots in the middle of the night.
Quote (Nov 4, 2020, via speech): "They are finding Biden votes all over the place—in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan—SO BAD FOR OUR COUNTRY!"
Republican Observers Barred from Counting Rooms: Trump insisted that Republican poll watchers were prevented from observing ballot counts in key swing states.
Quote (Nov 6, 2020, via speech): "We were winning everything, and then they started counting mail-in ballots—some of which we weren’t even allowed to watch!"
The Court Cases: 60+ Lawsuits and Dismissals
Despite these claims, the Trump campaign and its allies lost over 60 court cases challenging election results. Judges, including Trump-appointed ones, dismissed these cases due to lack of evidence.
Key Lawsuits and Their Outcomes:
Pennsylvania: Trump’s team argued that mail-in ballots were illegal. The case was dismissed due to lack of merit.
Michigan: Claims of ballot dumping were dismissed due to “no credible evidence.”
Georgia: Trump’s legal team claimed illegal votes were cast. A hand recount confirmed Biden’s win.
Arizona: Allegations of Sharpie markers invalidating ballots were debunked.
Quote from Trump-appointed Judge Stephanos Bibas (Third Circuit Court of Appeals): "Free, fair elections are the lifeblood of our democracy. Charges require specific allegations and then proof. We have neither here."
Final Ruling: No court, state election official, or independent audit found significant fraud that could have altered the outcome.
Was There Any Evidence of Fraud?
While small-scale irregularities occur in every election, no evidence of widespread fraud was found that could have changed the 2020 results.
Recounts & Audits: Georgia conducted three separate recounts, all confirming Biden’s victory.
DOJ Investigation: Trump’s own Attorney General, Bill Barr, stated:
"To date, we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have affected a different outcome in the election."
Cybersecurity Report: The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) called 2020 “the most secure election in U.S. history.”
How People Were Convinced the Election Was Stolen
Even without evidence, millions of Americans still believe the election was rigged. Why?
1. Social Media & Disinformation
Algorithms amplify outrage: Viral misinformation about Dominion, dead voters, and ballot stuffing spread faster than fact-checks.
Echo chambers: People stayed in isolated media bubbles that reinforced their views.
2. Trusted Figures Repeating the Lie
Trump’s constant messaging: By repeating claims daily, Trump created an alternative reality for his base.
Right-wing media (OANN, Newsmax, Fox segments): Amplified claims without fact-checking.
3. Cognitive Dissonance & Emotional Investment
Many Trump voters simply could not accept his loss, seeing it as an existential crisis for America.
Belief in corruption and “deep state” narratives made people distrust any official findings.
What If People Really Believe This?
When a significant portion of the population believes an election was stolen, democracy itself is at risk:
Violence becomes justified. If elections are rigged, people may feel rebellion is necessary—leading directly to events like January 6, 2021.
Future elections lose legitimacy. If claims of fraud persist, faith in the system erodes, making elections meaningless.
Autocrats can exploit the chaos. If trust collapses, leaders can seize emergency powers to “restore order.”
Final Thought: If democracy is to survive, the truth must be defended. If people are convinced elections don’t matter, then democracy ceases to function.
Democracy & Elections:
The Battle for Integrity
Democracy hinges on free and fair elections, where citizens choose their leaders without coercion or manipulation. However, the rise of election interference—both foreign and domestic—threatens this foundational principle. When external actors meddle in our electoral processes, they undermine public trust, distort outcomes, and weaken the very fabric of our nation.
Forms of Election Interference
Election interference manifests in various ways:
Disinformation Campaigns: Spreading false or misleading information to sway public opinion or suppress voter turnout.
Cyber Attacks: Hacking into election systems, political parties, or candidates' communications to steal information or disrupt operations.
Social Media Manipulation: Using bots and fake accounts to amplify divisive content, create echo chambers, and foster polarization.
Financial Influence: Illegally funneling money into campaigns to sway candidates or policies in favor of foreign interests.
Evidence of Interference
Recent investigations have unveiled attempts by foreign entities to meddle in democratic elections:
Canada: A 2025 probe revealed that while foreign interference attempts by China and India did not alter the outcomes of the 2019 and 2021 elections, they eroded public trust in the electoral system.
European Union: In January 2025, France, Germany, and ten other EU countries urged the European Commission to utilize its authority under the Digital Services Act to safeguard European elections from foreign interference, highlighting threats from actors like Russia and China.
United States: The 2024 U.S. presidential election witnessed Russian hybrid warfare tactics, including disinformation and cyberattacks, aiming to disrupt the electoral process and sow discord among the populace.
The Impact
The consequences of election interference are profound:
Eroded Public Trust: When citizens doubt the integrity of elections, faith in democratic institutions wanes.
Polarization: Disinformation deepens societal divides, making consensus and effective governance more elusive.
Policy Manipulation: Foreign actors may steer policies to favor their interests, compromising national sovereignty.
Defending Democracy
To safeguard our elections:
Stay Informed: Critically evaluate information sources and be vigilant against disinformation.
Support Robust Cybersecurity: Advocate for strengthening the digital defenses of electoral systems.
Promote Transparency: Encourage openness in campaign financing and foreign affiliations.
Engage in Civic Activities: Participate in the democratic process and support initiatives that uphold electoral integrity.
Conclusion
Democracy is not self-sustaining. It requires active participation and unwavering vigilance from its citizens. By recognizing the threats of election interference and taking proactive measures, we can ensure that our electoral processes remain free, fair, and reflective of the people's will.