Philadelphia Elections Official Destroys Conservative Conspiracy Theory that National Elections Are “Rigged”

Sean Hannity cited the 2012 elections in Philadelphia to suggest the White House will be stolen from Donald Trump.

Flag: STILLFX/Shutterstock; Trump: Andrew Cline/Shutterstock; Hannity: Rick Scuteri/AP

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In recent weeks, Donald Trump has begun telling supporters that the 2016 election might be “rigged” against him—a conspiracy some observers view as a preemptive, ready-to-go excuse for a potential loss to Hillary Clinton, or an ominous signal that the Republican nominee is preparing to contest November’s results.

Some conservatives, including Fox News host Sean Hannity, have fanned the flames. CNN’s Brian Stelter featured a recent clip of Hannity serving as a mouthpiece for Trump’s claim:

On Sunday, Ryan Godfrey, a Philadelphia elections inspector, took the theory to task, calling out Hannity’s suggestion that the 2012 elections were also illegitimate. Godfrey, who Mother Jones confirmed was elected to be an inspector in 2013, explained on Twitter:

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PLEASE—BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things it doesn’t like—which is most things that are true.

We’ll say it loud and clear: At Mother Jones, no one gets to tell us what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please do your part and help us reach our $150,000 membership goal by May 31.

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