Trump claims China carried out largest compromise of 2020 US poll data in history

Trump, during his televised address from the White House, claimed China carried out what is believed to be the largest compromise of election data in history, resulting in Beijing "illicit acquisition of 220 million US voter files."

In Short

• Trump alleges China accessed voter names, addresses and phone numbers
• Says declassified intelligence reveals vulnerabilities in US election system
• Claims released intelligence had been hidden from the public for years

US President Donald Trump on Friday claimed that China carried out the "largest compromise of election data in history" during the 2020 US presidential election, alleging that Beijing illicitly acquired information on 220 million American voters, and announced the immediate declassification of intelligence documents that he said expose serious vulnerabilities in the country's election infrastructure.

In a televised prime-time address from the White House, Trump accused China of compromising the US election system and claimed the alleged breach had been concealed by members of the "deep state" for years.

"Tonight, I'm announcing the immediate declassification and release of critical intelligence, revealing shocking vulnerabilities in our election infrastructure," Trump said.

Claiming that the declassified records would reveal long-hidden weaknesses in the election system, Trump said, "Over a period of years, starting during the 2020 election cycle, the People's Republic of China carried out what is believed to be the largest compromise of election data in history, resulting in China's illicit acquisition of 220 million US voter files."

According to Trump, the alleged data included names, home addresses, phone numbers, political party affiliations and other information linked to voter registration.

"That information includes names, addresses, phone numbers, political party preferences and other sensitive data that would be needed to register to vote and engage in other nefarious activities," he said.

Describing the alleged breach as "an unprecedented election security nightmare", Trump claimed the declassified material showed the US election system was vulnerable to hacking, exploitation and foreign interference.

"This evidence shows that the election system we have dangerously exposes... to hacking, exploitation and foreign interference. Just as disturbingly, this vital information has for many years been covered up and hidden from you," he said.

The US president also argued that the country's electoral system "falls catastrophically short" of ensuring free and fair elections.

"Every American deserves to know that when they cast their vote, that vote will be counted accurately in a system, and that is to make that system secure -- one where cheating and interference are not just difficult, but virtually impossible," Trump said.

"Unfortunately, the system we have today falls catastrophically short of that standard," he added.

Furthermore, Trump quoted what he said was an official intelligence assessment stating that US adversaries, including Russia, China, Iran, North Korea and non-state groups, have the capability to compromise US elections.

"That's some statement, isn't it? Made by supposedly great patriots of our country," Trump said, suggesting that the findings reflected serious vulnerabilities in the country's election system.

Allegations that China collected US voter data are not new. A report by the National Intelligence Officer for Cyber, prepared in 2020 and partially declassified in 2022, said Chinese intelligence officials analysed voter registration data from multiple American states for "public opinion analysis."

However, lawsuits filed by Trump and his allies after the 2020 election failed to establish fraud that could have altered the election outcome. Multiple recounts, audits and reviews, including by Trump's own Justice Department, also found no evidence of widespread voter fraud sufficient to change the result.

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