Trump Cites Putin to Justify Dismantling U.S. Elections

Here’s Why Every Part of His Argument Falls Apart

On August 18, two events collided in the American political theater with near-satirical precision.

First, Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he plans to issue an executive order eliminating mail-in ballots and voting machines ahead of the 2026 midterms. His justification is a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who reportedly told h…