Democracy Dies in Darkness

Without evidence, Trump tells lawmakers 3 million to 5 million illegal ballots cost him the popular vote

January 23, 2017 at 8:05 p.m. EST
President Donald Trump meets with congressional leaders on Capitol Hill after meeting with business and union leaders at the White House. (Video: Reuters)

Days after being sworn in, President Trump insisted to congressional leaders invited to a reception at the White House that he would have won the popular vote had it not been for millions of illegal votes, according to people familiar with the meeting.

Trump has repeatedly claimed, without evidence, that widespread voter fraud caused him to lose the popular vote to Hillary Clinton, even while he clinched the presidency with an electoral college victory.