Philadelphia officials deny Donald Trump’s claim of “cheating” and demand evidence

PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia officials are rejecting an Election Day claim made by former President Donald Trump without evidence that there was much talk of massive fraud in Philadelphia.

Trump posted the allegation on his Truth Social account at 4:39 p.m. Tuesday as voters continued to head to the polls in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania.

Shortly after his post, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner issued a statement countering Trump’s claim and inviting the former president to provide any facts or evidence to support the allegation.

“The only talk of massive cheating came from one of the candidates, Donald J. Trump. There is no factual basis within law enforcement to support this wild allegation,” Krasner wrote on X. “I invited complaints and accusations of impropriety. All day long, if Donald J. Trump has facts to back up his claims, we want them now.

Philadelphia City Commissioner Seth Bluestein, a Republican, also denied there was any truth to Trump’s claim.

“There is absolutely no truth to this allegation. It’s yet another example of misinformation. The vote in Philadelphia was safe and secure,” Bluestein wrote on X.

Bluestein added that the Office of Local Commissioners has been in regular contact with the RNC and that they have been responsive to every report of ballot irregularities.

Pennsylvania, for its second consecutive presidential election, will be closely watched Tuesday night as both Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris try to capture the 19 electoral votes available.