commentary

The president's signature accomplishment is undermining faith in elections

Published October 28, 2026 6:30AM (EDT)

President Donald Trump speaks during a political rally on Oct. 10, 2026 in Clarksville, Tennessee. (Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images)

Every president leaves a signature accomplishment. Abraham Lincoln preserved the Union. Franklin Roosevelt rescued capitalism from itself. Donald Trump ’s will be something no predecessor ever attempted: He has done more than any American in history to convince his fellow citizens that their votes are not counted honestly. That dubious achievement belongs in the first line of his obituary.

On Oct. 18, “60 Minutes” reported that in the 21 months of his second term, Trump has said, “in so many words, the vote can’t be trusted — more than 150 times.” This is not the grievance of a defeated candidate.…