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Trump Calls for Federal Investigation Into California Vote Counting, Alleges “Big Cheating” in Primary Races

Midtown Tribune news New York

4 min read

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By Midtown Tribune Staff
June 4, 2026

President Donald J. Trump is calling for a federal investigation into California’s vote-counting process after delayed election results in key statewide and Los Angeles races triggered new accusations of election irregularities.

The controversy erupted after a viral political video titled “Trump Announces Federal Investigation of California Election CHEATING: ‘It’s Rigged! We Caught Em’” highlighted scenes of ballots being transported in Los Angeles County, slow vote-counting, late-arriving mail ballots, and changing vote totals in California races. The video argues that California’s election system is vulnerable because of its heavy reliance on mail-in ballots, extended counting periods, and the absence of strict voter ID requirements.

According to the video, Trump posted that Democrats were “trying to steal” the California governor’s race and the Los Angeles mayoral primary from Republican candidates. The video also says the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles is investigating the situation, although public reporting notes that federal officials have not confirmed details of such an investigation.

California’s vote count remains unfinished after the June 2, 2026 primary. State law allows vote-by-mail ballots to be counted if they are postmarked by Election Day and received within seven days, a process that often delays final results in close races. California election officials say the slower timeline is caused by ballot verification, signature review, late-arriving mail ballots, and county-level processing rules.

Critics argue that the delay damages public trust, especially when vote totals shift after Election Day. Supporters of the current system say the extended count protects voters whose ballots arrive by mail after Election Day but were legally cast on time.

In the video, the host compares California unfavorably to states such as Florida, saying that large states should be able to report results quickly and securely. The host also points to the transportation of ballots by Los Angeles County authorities and large numbers of late mail ballots as reasons for public suspicion.

Major California races remain under close watch. Public reporting shows the governor’s race has not been fully settled, with Republican Steve Hilton and several Democratic candidates competing under California’s top-two primary system, where the two leading candidates advance to the general election regardless of party.

Trump’s allegations have been rejected by critics as unsupported, while many conservatives argue that California’s election rules create unnecessary uncertainty and invite distrust. Reports from California media and election observers have long noted that the state’s counting process can take days or weeks because of mail-ballot rules, curing procedures, and verification requirements.

The central political question is now whether California’s system can maintain public confidence when close races remain unresolved long after Election Day. Trump and his supporters say the delay is evidence of a broken or manipulated process. California officials say the delay is the result of legal safeguards built into the vote-by-mail system.

For voters, the issue is larger than one race. It is about whether elections should prioritize speed, security, broad ballot access, or all three — and whether California’s current model can convince the public that the final result is legitimate.

Official Sources

Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

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