OAN Staff Addie Davis
8:43 AM – Thursday, June 4, 2026
President Donald Trump called into question the integrity of California’s elections, accusing Democrats of attempting to “steal” them through mail-in ballots.
On Tuesday, several states held primary elections, with the results for most races already apparent. However, the outcomes of some races in the Golden State remain unclear, and it could take weeks to gain answers.
In a Wednesday Truth Social post, Trump claimed that Democrats in the state were trying to illegally change the election results.
“The Dumocrats are at it again! They are trying to STEAL THE GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA PRIMARY, AND THE MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES PRIMARY, AWAY FROM TWO GREAT REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES,” the president claimed.
“Here we go with the very late and massive numbers of MAIL IN BALLOTS,” he continued.
As of Thursday morning, with 56% of the votes counted in California’s crowded nonpartisan gubernatorial primary, Republican candidate former Fox News host Steve Hilton has been leading with over 1,421,400 votes, or 27.6%. The British-American is followed by Democrat candidates, former United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Xavier Becerra at about 1,318,500 votes, or 25.6%, and billionaire Tom Steyer trailing at 1,019,300 votes, or 19.8%, per the Associated Press.
Another closely watched race is the nonpartisan primary for Los Angeles mayor, with incumbent Karen Bass currently leading at 35%, television personality Spencer Pratt at 29.9% and L.A. Councilmember Nithya Raman at 22.8%, with 62% of the votes counted, per the AP.
All registered voters in the state considered active were automatically sent a mail-in ballot for Tuesday’s elections, according to California Secretary of State Shirley Weber’s office. Voters may choose to mail in or drop off their ballots, or forego mailed ballots and vote in-person at a polling location.
The office explained that mail-in ballots must be postmarked by election day and received no more than seven days after. It also noted that election officials have about a month to complete the process of counting and certifying the results.
According to a recently passed state law meant to reduce ballot counting times, officials have until the 13th day after an election to finish counting the votes, with certain types of ballots excepted, and election officials can file an extension notice if they cannot make the deadline. The secretary of state will certify the results on July 10th, 38 days after the election.
In a subsequent Wednesday post, Trump further accused Democrats of misconduct, noting the lengthy time for counting votes is under investigation.
“There’s BIG cheating by the Dumocrats in California. Votes are all tied up. May not be in for weeks. Under investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles. Why the vote counting DELAY???” the president asked.
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s Press Office appeared to deny the president’s assertion on X.
“Trump is lying about California again — time to take the phone away from grandpa and put him to sleep,” it said on Wednesday.
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