Trump to address foreign election influence in primetime speech

President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak on primetime television Thursday evening, where he is expected to discuss foreign efforts to influence U.S. elections and to announce new information the White House says will "shock" listeners. The address follows a declassified 2021 intelligence assessment that China considered influencing the 2020 election but refrained to avoid damaging bilateral relations, while a minority view within the intelligence community suggested limited Chinese activity aimed at undermining President Trump’s reelection.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president’s remarks will focus on election integrity and may also touch on the economy and the conflict in Iran. Leavitt declined to confirm whether any charges will accompany the speech, noting that Trump has not yet released the evidence he claims to possess.

State election officials, many of whom are attending a National Association of Secretaries of State conference in South Dakota, said they remain confident in the security of the upcoming midterm elections and emphasized ongoing efforts to counter disinformation. Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas criticized recent federal actions that she said could undermine election administration, while Connecticut Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas warned that mixed messages about election trust are confusing voters.

Republican Representative Brian Fitzpatrick urged Trump to move beyond the 2020 election and focus on issues such as affordability and the Iran situation. Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, dismissed the president’s anticipated claims as falsehoods intended to erode confidence in the electoral process.

Experts noted that while foreign actors have sought to influence U.S. voters through disinformation, there is no evidence of direct interference with voting machines or vote tallies in 2020. Security researchers have identified software vulnerabilities in voting equipment, but safeguards and the lack of internet connectivity have prevented known exploitation.

The White House also announced that Trump's longtime teleprompter operator, Gabriel Perez, has been placed on unpaid administrative leave amid an insider-trading investigation. Additionally, officials said the administration is working with health agencies to monitor a cyclosporiasis outbreak.

The speech will be closely watched for any new disclosures about foreign influence and for its impact on public confidence ahead of the November midterm elections.