Trump Keeps Doors Open To Meddling In Midterms, Continues Rant Against California

WASHINGTON, DC – President Donald Trump is again raising the specter of election fraud without presenting evidence, while leaving open the possibility of using emergency powers to impose new voting restrictions ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

In an interview with Wayne Allyn Root, host of Real America’s Voice, Trump declined to rule out declaring a national security emergency if Congress fails to pass the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship and voter identification for federal elections and address mail in voting.

“Stranger things have happened. Okay. I’ll leave it at that,” Trump said when Root urged him to use emergency powers to impose the requirements.

Trump did not explicitly endorse Root’s proposal but repeatedly pressed the Senate to act on the legislation, portraying voter identification and proof of citizenship as urgent election safeguards.

“Well, one thing is the Senate has to get going on SAVE America. I really believe that because people expect that to happen and it has to happen,” Trump said.

Trump also revived his long running attacks on mail in voting, claiming without providing evidence that the system is vulnerable to fraud. He singled out California, describing it as “one of the most corrupt places for elections” and alleging that Republican voters in some areas had difficulty obtaining ballots.

The claims echo the election fraud narrative Trump has repeatedly advanced despite the absence of evidence establishing widespread fraud capable of altering election outcomes. His continued focus on election procedures comes as Republicans and Democrats prepare for a midterm contest that will determine control of Congress.

The political backdrop is also unfavorable for Trump. His approval rating has fallen to among the lowest levels of his presidency. An Economist/YouGov poll cited by Axios in late July put his approval at 34 percent, while a VoteHub polling average showed his net approval at minus 18.7 percent and Democrats holding a 5.8 point advantage on the generic congressional ballot.

Trump has also encountered setbacks among candidates he has endorsed in Republican primaries. Also this week his die hard supporter failed to carry Mike Lindell to victory in Minnesota, while other recent primary results have produced mixed results for Trump backed candidates.

Against that backdrop, Trump’s renewed focus on election rules places the voting system itself at the center of the political fight. Rather than accepting election procedures as established infrastructure, he has continued to cast doubt on mail in voting and push for changes to how Americans register and cast ballots.

Root urged Trump to go further. He argued that the Senate might not approve the SAVE America Act and that even if Congress passed it, the measure could immediately face legal challenges. Root then proposed that Trump declare a national security emergency within the next month, claiming that emergency authority could allow the administration to impose photo identification, proof of citizenship and restrictions on mail in voting without waiting for Congress.

Trump stopped short of committing to such a move but did not close the door on it.