Story perspectives

Trump claims election theft as California counts remain incomplete.

6/4/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump accused Democrats of stealing California’s elections while the count remains unfinished.
With two-thirds counted, Republican Steve Hilton leads the governor’s race at 27 % versus Democrat Xavier Becerra’s 25.6 %.
Mayor Karen Bass leads with 35 %, ahead of Republican Spencer Pratt’s 29.9 % and Democrat Nithya Raman’s 22.8 %.
Governor Gavin Newsom’s office called allegations false, urged counting of mail-in ballots, and noted it is permitted until Tuesday after Election Day.

History

Historical Context

After the 2000 presidential race hinged on a Florida recount, the state Supreme Court ordered a manual review of 64,000 ballots and the U.S. Supreme Court halted it on December 12, 2000, leaving Bush ahead by 537 votes (0.009% of 5.96 million). That precedent of a contested tally now resurfaces as modern politicians invoke similar “stolen-vote” narratives, reminding voters how narrow margins can shape national outcomes.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump accused Democrats of stealing California’s elections while the count remains unfinished.
With two-thirds counted, Republican Steve Hilton leads the governor’s race at 27 % versus Democrat Xavier Becerra’s 25.6 %.
Mayor Karen Bass leads with 35 %, ahead of Republican Spencer Pratt’s 29.9 % and Democrat Nithya Raman’s 22.8 %.
Governor Gavin Newsom’s office called allegations false, urged counting of mail-in ballots, and noted it is permitted until Tuesday after Election Day.

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