Donald Trump has been widely criticized for making numerous false or misleading statements throughout his career, including his time as President. Key points include:

1. Frequent Falsehoods: Trump has been documented making false claims on a wide range of topics, from his business achievements to political events. Fact-checking organizations have found that he has made thousands of false or misleading statements during his presidency.

2. Election Misinformation: Trump repeatedly promoted false claims about widespread voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election. Despite numerous audits, recounts, and court rulings affirming the integrity of the election, he continued to assert that the election was stolen.

3. COVID-19 Misstatements: Trump made several misleading or incorrect statements about the COVID-19 pandemic, including downplaying the severity of the virus, promoting unproven treatments, and contradicting public health guidance. His statements contributed to confusion and controversy over the pandemic response.

4. Inaccurate Self-Promotion: Trump has often exaggerated his accomplishments and the success of his businesses. For instance, he has frequently made inflated claims about his wealth, his role in various projects, and his impact on economic indicators.

5. Responses to Criticism: Trump has been known to attack and discredit sources and individuals who challenge his statements, often dismissing credible evidence and expert opinions.

These patterns of behavior have fueled debates about Trump's credibility and the impact of his statements on public discourse and trust in democratic institutions.

The Truth

The claim that the 2020 presidential election was stolen has been extensively investigated and debunked by various sources. Key points include:

1. Election Integrity: Multiple audits and recounts in key battleground states confirmed the accuracy of the vote counts. These processes, conducted by bipartisan officials and independent observers, consistently upheld the results.

2. Court Rulings: Numerous lawsuits challenging the election results were dismissed by courts across the country. Judges, including those appointed by Trump, found no evidence of widespread fraud or irregularities that could have affected the outcome.

3. Expert Analysis: Voting experts and cybersecurity professionals reported that there were no indications of systematic tampering or manipulation of voting machines. Reports from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) described the election as the “most secure” in American history.

4. Election Officials' Statements: State and local election officials from both parties, including those who were initially skeptical, confirmed the integrity of the election process. They reported no evidence of fraud or irregularities that would impact the results.

5. Federal and State Investigations: Investigations by the Department of Justice and other federal agencies found no evidence of widespread fraud or misconduct. Additionally, independent state-level investigations and audits reaffirmed the election results.

6. Election Security Experts: Both domestic and international election observers reported that the 2020 election was conducted fairly and without significant issues. They noted that the processes for handling and counting ballots were transparent and secure.

These findings collectively debunk the claim that the 2020 election was stolen, reinforcing the conclusion that the election was conducted fairly and the results accurately reflect the will of the voters.

The Lie

Donald Trump made numerous false claims about the 2020 presidential election, which became a central issue in American politics. Key aspects include:

1. Claims of Widespread Fraud: Trump repeatedly asserted that the 2020 election was rigged or stolen, alleging widespread voter fraud without credible evidence. He claimed that votes were manipulated or counted improperly in key battleground states.

2. Legal Challenges: Trump and his allies filed numerous lawsuits challenging the election results, alleging irregularities and fraud. Most of these lawsuits were dismissed by courts due to lack of evidence or legal merit.

3. False Statements About Voting Machines: Trump and his supporters spread unfounded claims that voting machines, particularly those from Dominion Voting Systems, were tampered with to alter the vote counts. These allegations were debunked by experts and investigations.

4. Pressure on Officials: Trump exerted pressure on state and local election officials to overturn the results. Notably, he made a phone call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, urging him to "find" votes to change the outcome.

5. Capitol Riot: Trump's false claims about the election contributed to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, where his supporters stormed the Capitol to disrupt the certification of the electoral college results. Trump’s rhetoric leading up to and following the riot further fueled division and unrest.

6. Continued Misinformation: Even after the election was certified and multiple audits and recounts confirmed its legitimacy, Trump continued to propagate false claims about the election being stolen.

These actions have been widely criticized for undermining trust in the democratic process and contributing to political polarization.