- Trump accused China of acquiring 220 million US voter files.
- Alleged data breach started in 2018, intensified for 2020 election.
- Called it the largest compromise of election data in US history.
United States President Donald Trump on Friday alleged that China illegally acquired the personal date of 220 million US voters during the 2020 presidential election. In his televised prime-time address from the White House, the US president claimed that it began earlier in 2018, adding that Beijing fought hard to ensure his loss. Trump further defined the alleged data breaching as the largest compromise of election data in US history.
'Largest Compromise Of Election Data'
The US president alleged that Beijing acquired sensitive information of the voters, including names, addresses, phone numbers, and political party preferences. "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," Trump said in his address.
He further alleged that China assigned a data exploitation unit specifically for the US polls, adding that the members of the "deep state" downplayed the role of Beijing. "This data loss presents an unprecedented election security nightmare. The intelligence even shows that China assigned a data exploitation unit specifically to this new project," the US president said.
'China Paid Journalists'
In his address, Trump also alleged that Beijing wanted a mid-election in US back in 2018, further accusing China of paying journalists to write against him and attempting to turn the businessmen against his administration.
Trump has also alleged that electronic voting system in the US has been compromised, adding that several other countries are also capable of influencing the polls. "Russia, China, Iran, North Korea have capabilities to harm the US elections," Trump said.