The Big Lie Has Always Been the Plan
Donald Trump didn’t just start claiming elections were rigged in 2020—it started in 2012 when he called President Obama’s re-election a “total sham.”
There was no evidence then. There was none in 2016 when he said Ted Cruz “stole” the Iowa caucus. And there certainly wasn’t in 2020.
The strategy was clear: delegitimize elections before they happen—so you either win, or you claim you were robbed.
That same lie continued into 2024—until Trump won. Then, suddenly, there were no complaints about election integrity. Convenient.
And yet, some nonpartisan election integrity groups still questioned how he won all 7 battleground states with less than 50% of the popular vote. Statistically improbable? Many think so.
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.”
—George Orwell, 1984
We Know How It Feels
I’ll admit it—right after the election, I went down the rabbit hole too. I wanted to believe something had gone wrong, that there had been manipulation in the vote count. I knew the race would be close—but losing all seven swing states? It felt implausible. Still, I’m not delusional, and like most Americans who were devastated by the outcome, I accepted reality and moved on. Now, all eyes are on the 2026 midterms, and early indicators suggest a surge of Democratic momentum. Special elections are revealing what polling is confirming: Americans are deeply dissatisfied with the current direction of the country. Trump’s approval is sinking—even on issues where he once held strong, like immigration. Yet Republicans continue falling in line for a MAGA hat and a photo op for backing his agenda. It makes you wonder—was that all they got? Or were they also promised they wouldn’t need to worry about their seats in 2026… because maybe there won’t even be an election?
Election Canceled in Miami
As one might expect, they’re already toying with this.
In a move that didn’t make national headlines, Miami’s city commission voted to cancel their November 2025 election.
Voters were supposed to elect a new mayor and two commissioners. Instead, the commission voted 3–2 to extend their own terms by another year—without voter input.
While Gov. Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier initially warned against the move, they’ve gone silent since it passed. Read the full story here.
As a University of Miami student put it: “They stole a year of political participation from an entire cohort of young people. Three commissioners decided they knew better than the people.”
Take Trump Seriously—He Means It
“Get out and vote just this time. You won’t have to do it anymore.”
—Donald Trump, July 2024
He said it out loud—and then repeated it days later on Fox News. See for yourself:
- Politico article: Trump’s ‘won’t have to vote anymore’ remark
- The Guardian article: Donald Trump repeats controversial ‘You won’t have to vote any more’ claim
If we don’t take him seriously now, we may regret it later. He’s not joking—he’s saying the quiet part out loud.
Project 2025 and Election Sabotage
Under Trump’s Project 2025 agenda, plans are already underway to weaken or dismantle election integrity protections.
Chris Krebs, former director of CISA, called the 2020 election the “most secure in American history.” Trump fired him. Now he’s being “investigated” for refusing to go along with the Big Lie.
Trump’s pushing Kash Patel to head the FBI—a loyalist who has echoed the election fraud conspiracy.
Back in 2020, brave officials like Georgia’s Brad Raffensperger and election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss saved democracy by refusing to cave to Trump’s pressure.
Read more: Brennan Center analysis
So What Can We Do?
“A republic, if you can keep it.”
—Benjamin Franklin
We are not powerless. But we must stay engaged. Consider this:
In the 2024 presidential election, 65.3% of eligible citizens voted. That means nearly 1 in 3 Americans sat it out.
Here’s What You Can Do Right Now:
- Get involved locally: Know your school board members, town council, and local legislators. They shape your daily life.
- Consume quality news: Be mindful of sources. Avoid relying solely on social media.
- Recognize disinformation: Learn how with CISA’s guide.
- Support your library: Dig deeper into complex issues and attend local events.
- Organize: Join or build networks with like-minded people around causes or candidates.
- Donate: Candidates like John Vincent (SC-7) need grassroots support. Every dollar counts.
- Vote—always: Not just for president. Every race matters, from school board to Congress.
- Get active: Explore The Democracy Playbook for 29 concrete actions you can take right now to protect democracy today.
Let’s Not Be Silent
If we care about democracy, we must defend it—loudly, persistently, and together. Our voice is our power, and our vote is our weapon.
