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Donald Trump announced that he will deliver a nationally televised “Speech to the Nation” this Thursday evening.

Although it remains unclear exactly what he will discuss, Trump teased that the topics will include “free and fair elections” and a “very big announcement” for Americans.

The president has repeatedly claimed that the 2020 election was rigged, although he has provided no evidence to support the allegation.

Donald Trump Announces Primetime Address For Thursday

Donald Trump announced earlier this week that he will address the nation on Thursday evening at 9 p.m. ET, although details of what he is expected to discuss remain unclear, per TIME.

During a Tuesday press briefing in the Oval Office, the president teased that he would speak about “free and fair elections” and make a “very big announcement,” but he refused to divulge further information.

Such out-of-the-blue speeches are typically reserved for critical moments for the nation, although the billionaire politician has delivered several since returning to the White House for a second term.

In December, he gave a year-end address recapping his administration’s achievements at the time. Then, in April, he delivered another primetime speech centered on developments in the Iran war as tensions in the Middle East reached a fever pitch.

Trump Says Address Will Focus On ‘Free And Fair’ Elections

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During Tuesday’s meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi in the Oval Office, Trump shared that he would primarily focus on elections in his highly anticipated Thursday address.

“It will concern that subject, and we’ll have a couple of other things to say, also,” he said when asked whether his address would focus on elections, adding that “it’s really big news.”

“Our country has to shape up. But that’s what we’re going to be talking about on Thursday. It doesn’t get bigger, because without free and fair elections, you don’t have a country,” he stated. “We’ll be discussing other things too, but it’s going to be a very big announcement.”

According to Reuters, the president has claimed that the 2020 election, which he lost to Joe Biden, was “rigged” at least 107 times over six months, yet he has been unable to provide hard evidence supporting his claims.

Donald Trump May Unveil Declassified 2020 Election Intelligence

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Investigations into the 2020 election by Trump’s Justice Department, along with independent studies and numerous court cases, have found no evidence of widespread fraud or significant anomalies.

However, reports suggest that the president will discuss newly declassified intelligence concerning what the White House says were plans by foreign nations to interfere in the 2020 election, as well as alleged vulnerabilities in voting machines.

The claims have left Americans divided online, with many detractors arguing that alleged “plans” do not necessarily translate into “actions.” Others pointed out that Trump still appears unable to accept his 2020 defeat.

“THIS HAS TO BE IN ALL CAPS: YOU CAN SEE HOW INSANE TRUMP IS BECAUSE HE CAN’T LET THIS GO. HE CAN’T ACCEPT HIS FAILURE IN 2020. IT EATS AT HIS BRAIN!!!” an X user wrote.

“lol bunch of claims with no evidence. This loser still can’t take the L,” another user wrote.

Experts See Midterm Strategy Behind Donald Trump’s Claims

Meanwhile, sources have suggested that Trump’s continued focus on 2020 may be part of a strategy to secure a strong showing in the November midterms.

According to Reuters, two anonymous White House sources claimed that the president’s continued complaints about 2020 point to a forward-looking strategy aimed at justifying new voting restrictions and energizing party loyalists ahead of the November elections, which will determine control of Congress.

Experts have also noted that the strategy could lay the groundwork for challenging Republican losses and undermining Democrats should they regain power.

“He’s not looking back; this is about the midterms,” Alexandra Chandler, an election expert at the nonpartisan advocacy organization Protect Democracy, said. “He’s trying to create a fog of disinformation with this. So then if he dials it up further with federal interference, the public will not react as surprised.”

Poll Shows Republicans Embracing Trump’s Election Claims

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The strategy could prove potent, as a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that many Republicans have embraced Trump’s rhetoric and are increasingly distrustful of the electoral process.

The poll found that 63% of Republican voters believe Trump’s false claim that the 2020 election was stolen, a figure that has remained largely unchanged in recent years.

More eye-opening was the finding that 82% of Republicans believe a significant number of fraudulent ballots are cast by noncitizens in U.S. elections.

By comparison, only 9% of Democrats and 21% of independents believe Trump lost the election because of wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, 18% of Democrats and 38% of independents expressed concerns about noncitizens casting fraudulent ballots, highlighting the sharp partisan divide surrounding confidence in America’s elections.

The Trump Teases ‘Very Big’ Election Announcement In Upcoming Primetime Address first appeared on The Blast