The ideas of election fraud at the center of former President Donald Trump’s theory of the 2020 election were reportedly rejected as “unsubstantiated” by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Friday.
When questioned about his position on Trump’s allegations of a “stolen” election, DeSantis deviated from his customary vagueness on the issue and openly denied the assertion without citing his chief rival for the Republican nomination by name.
“I’ve said many times the election is what it is. All those theories that were put out did not prove to be true.” DeSantis said in response to a question from a reporter.
DeSantis continued “conducted the way I think that we want to, but that’s different than saying ‘Maduro stole votes,’ or something like that.”
The connection to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro referred to unsubstantiated claims made by former Trump attorney Sidney Powell following the election. Powell had erroneously claimed that certain voting devices were the creation of late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
Powell had erroneously claimed that certain voting devices were the creation of late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
Trump entered a not guilty plea on Thursday to federal charges accusing him of planning to retain his position despite losing the 2020 election, prompting DeSantis’ comments.
DeSantis tweeted on X, formerly known as Twitter, calling for measures to “end the weaponization of government” and provide Americans the option to move cases to their home districts despite in the wake of the indictment.
[READ MORE: DeSantis Quickly Closing Gap with Trump in Iowa]
