DETROIT (WXYZ) — Thursday evening President Trump claimed that voter fraud was rampant in Michigan, saying that ballots were being illegally brought into Detroit's voting center at 4 a.m., likely referring to a video that's since gone viral claiming that ballots were being snuck into the center using a red wagon.
That claim has since been debunked.
"They're trying to rig an election, and we can't let that happen. Detroit and Philadelphia –– known as two of the most corrupt political places anywhere in our country," Trump said.
Trump claimed voter suppression led to challenger Joe Biden's lead in the U.S. presidential race, stating that Republicans began winning on Election Day, primarily due to in-person voting. But by Wednesday, Democratic party candidates gained substantial votes due to the counting of absentee ballots.
The Trump campaign's attempt to halt ballot counts in Michigan was thrown out Thursday by Court of Claims Judge Cynthia Diane Stephens on the grounds it was filed late at 4 p.m., Wednesday, adding that it was a moot point.
Trump challenged the use of mail-in ballots during the election, which is a legal practice. He also said that his campaign plans to appeal recent lawsuits that have been shot down in battleground states, including Michigan.
"There have been a number of irregularities across the nation," Trump said. "Our campaign has been denied access to observe any counting in Detroit. Detroit is another place, and I wouldn't say it has the best reputation for election integrity."
Trump mentioned the chaos that has taken place at Detroit's TCF Center over the last few days, referring to Republican poll workers not having access to the counting room. However, it's been made clear that both Republican and Democratic poll workers were denied access into the counting room due to COVID-19 safety measures.
"Mr. Trump’s claims are entirely false. Michigan’s elections were conducted fairly and transparently and the results are an accurate reflection of the will of Michigan voters,” Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said in response to the president's press conference.
