Trump delivers televised speech on election integrity after aides' attempts to delay

President Donald Trump aired a 26-minute televised speech from the White House on Thursday night, claiming that foreign powers have damaged the integrity of U.S. elections and left polls vulnerable to manipulation. He said the "Deep State" had concealed these efforts during his first term and cited a batch of previously classified intelligence reports as evidence.

The administration released the documents, which largely repeat publicly known information about election-related threats and do not substantiate claims that elections can be "rigged" or "stolen." According to a report, Trump had originally wanted to deliver the address in June, but aides postponed it to avoid a primetime broadcast. The speech was aired in full on Fox News, while other networks have declined to broadcast it.

Fact-checkers have found no new evidence supporting Trump's assertions about potential hacking or foreign interference in upcoming midterm elections. In response, Trump called for the revocation of ABC and NBC broadcast licenses for not airing his speech.

Republican officials appear divided on the issue. The Washington Post noted that many GOP candidates are reluctant to center their campaigns on the 2020 election controversy, citing concerns about independent voters. Former RNC chair Michael Whatley, a Trump-endorsed Senate candidate in North Carolina, focused his campaign remarks on the economy and public safety rather than election claims.

Other Trump allies, including former adviser Steve Bannon and activist Laura Loomer, have offered limited commentary, with Bannon suggesting a more aggressive approach to election security and Loomer questioning the novelty of the released information. Senator John Cornyn, who lost a primary after Trump backed his opponent, emphasized the proximity of the midterm elections and questioned the relevance of discussing events from six years ago.

The White House has not responded to inquiries about the report.