Updated numbers out of the Los Angeles mayoral primary have triggered renewed scrutiny over California’s prolonged vote-counting system, drawing a sharp response from President Donald Trump and leading to a heated clash with the mainstream media.
The controversy intensified after late-night ballot updates showed Republican candidate Spencer Pratt—who had been holding a spot in the upcoming runoff—slip into third place. Progressive Democratic City Council member Nithya Raman moved into the second position behind incumbent Democratic Mayor Karen Bass, who leads the field with 34.7% of the vote.
Raman now sits at 27.1%, just 3,113 votes ahead of Pratt’s 26.7%. Because California’s top-two primary system only allows the top two finishers to advance to November, the late-surging votes effectively lock the Republican candidate out of the general election.
Following a projection by Decision Desk HQ cementing Raman’s lead, Trump posted on Truth Social, “No way this could have happened. Rigged Election!”
The president had already sounded the alarm on Sunday night regarding the state’s handling of the ballots, posting to Truth Social to defend the Republican candidates.
“Has anybody been watching the CROOKED Election going on in California,” Trump wrote. “Two great Republican Candidates are being cheated, and so is America, which if the Dumocrats are able to fulfill their mission, great trouble and consternation will follow. Watch this “Election” closely!!! President DJT”
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s press office fired back at the president’s statements.
The political battleground extended to a pre-recorded interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, where host Kristen Welker repeatedly pressed the president on his criticisms of California’s voting process. Rather than addressing the systemic issues raised by critics of the state’s slow tabulation, Welker challenged the president, prompting Trump to call out the network’s perceived bias.
“They’re crooked just like you’re crooked, your press is crooked. And Meet the Press is crooked,” Trump told Welker.
When Welker continued to press him, Trump cut the interview short, calling out the media’s framing of the issue. “You’re a one-sided crooked network,” Trump said. “Sorry. Let’s call it quits because I’ve had enough.” The president then exited the interview.
READ: Tempers Flare And Tape Cuts Short: Trump Walks From ‘Meet The Press’ Interview
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
