Trump repeats 'rigged election' claim at Iowa rally ahead of US midterms
Jan 28, 2026
Iowa [US], January 28 : US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) reiterated his long-standing claim that the 2020 presidential election was fraudulent, using the assertion to energise supporters as the country moves closer to the 2026 midterm elections.
"We had a rigged election," Trump said while addressing the crowd, again referring to the 2020 vote.
The comments came as Trump took the stage in Clive, Iowa, where he defended his record on affordability while outlining plans to campaign aggressively for Republican candidates ahead of the November midterms. His remarks also came at a politically sensitive moment, with concerns growing that misinformation could shape the electoral narrative.
During his address, Trump also hinted at the possibility of seeking another term in office, despite constitutional limits on presidential tenure.
"Should we do it a fourth time?" he asked supporters.
As he prepares for an active campaign season, the White House has said Trump will spend the coming months on the campaign trail, backing party nominees across key battleground states.
"I'm going to do a lot of campaign travelling," Trump said last week aboard Air Force One.
Even as he embraces an active campaign strategy, Trump acknowledged that history has often worked against sitting presidents during midterm elections. "Sitting presidents don't seem to do well in the midterms," he said.
Despite this, Trump has already held campaign-style rallies in North Carolina and Pennsylvania in December and visited Michigan earlier this month, all considered crucial swing states.
The United States will head to the polls on November 3 this year for its midterm elections, with all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate up for grabs.
The outcome of the vote is expected to be pivotal, as it will decide control of Congress and carry major implications for governance in the country, while also shaping how much political power President Donald Trump will be able to exercise for the remainder of his term.