Full Breakdown
Trump Claims He’d Win California If Jesus Counted the Votes
5/20/2026, 9:50:11 PM
Trump’s “Rigged Vote” Remarks on California
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump, boarding for a Coast Guard Academy address, answered a reporter’s question about Spencer Pratt’s the Los Angeles mayoral bid by calling California’s elections ‘rigged’ and claiming he would have won the state if ‘Jesus Christ’ counted the votes.
Background & Context
Trump has repeatedly alleged that mail-in ballots favor Democrats, a claim he voiced about Maryland’s primary-ballot error and has repeated for California. The Independent notes California has voted Democratic in statewide races since the 1990s, underscoring the contrast with his rigging narrative. He also cited a recent Maryland primary-ballot mishap, urging the Justice Department to investigate, illustrating his broader focus on mail-in processes.
Official Statements & Responses
Trump framed California’s voting system as fundamentally dishonest, blaming mail-in ballots and asserting that his support among Hispanic voters would secure a win if the vote were counted by a divine official. He also praised Spencer Pratt as a ‘character’ and a ‘big MAGA person.’
Criticism & Opposition
Commentators described the claim as ‘easily disprovable’ and ‘false,’ noting it contradicts documented voting patterns and lacks evidence. Mediaite called the Jesus reference a ‘new rant’ that mischaracterizes the 2020 loss, while the Independent highlighted the gap between Trump’s allegations and California’s long-standing Democratic dominance.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Trump’s assertion that 38 million mail-in ballots were sent in California is unverified by state officials, and no response from the California Secretary of State or the DOJ is recorded in the sources, leaving the rigging claim unsupported. State election officials have not confirmed the 38 million figure.
Verbatim Quotes
- “If we had Jesus Christ come down and count the votes, I would have won California, because I do great with Hispanics, but it's a rigged vote.” — Donald Trump, President of the United States
- “if you have a rigged vote out there, that's the problem. The votes are rigged. You have a really rigged vote in California. You have all the mail in ballots, everything else. Very hard to win because the elections are very dishonest,” — Donald Trump
- “They send out 38 million votes. Nobody knows where they're going, of course. The Democrats disproportionately, Democrats get many more votes, some get eight votes, they get eight cards, and Republicans have to call in, 'Where's my card?’ — it's a rigged system, one of the most, not the worst,” — Donald Trump
- “I’d like to see him do well. He’s a character, I don’t know him,” — Donald Trump (about Spencer Pratt)
What’s Next
Trump will deliver his commencement address at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy later Wednesday. The speech will be given in Connecticut. He is expected to address graduating cadets.
