As the US joined Israel in launching attacks on Iran, President Donald Trump posted a video to his Truth Social account, followed by a claim that Iran had interfered in the 2020 US elections. This assertion, which Trump linked to an article on Just the News, a pro-Trump outlet, has raised questions about the role of technology in election interference and the potential for misinformation to inform decision-making.
The alleged Iranian interference, according to Trump, was part of a broader conspiracy theory that involves Venezuela and China. However, this theory, promoted by conspiracy theorist Patrick Byrne, is convoluted and based on no concrete evidence. Byrne claims that Iran's role was to hide the money trail, but he has not provided any evidence to support this claim.
The Conspiracy Theory
The conspiracy theory, which has been circulating among online groups for years, claims that the Venezuelan government has been rigging elections globally by creating the voting software company Smartmatic as a vehicle to remotely rig elections. Smartmatic has repeatedly denied all allegations and successfully sued right-wing outlet Newsmax for promoting conspiracy theories and defaming the company.
Byrne's allegations have been wholly different from the two actual documented instances of Iranian election interference. In 2021, the Justice Department charged two Iranians for conducting an influence operation, and in 2024, three Iranian hackers were charged with compromising the Trump campaign as part of an effort to disrupt the 2024 election.
Regulatory Pressure Builds
The draft executive order, which has been dismissed by legal experts, falsely claims that Trump can declare an emergency based on foreign interference in elections and seize control of US elections. The Washington Post first reported that Ticktin, a lawyer who has known Trump since they attended the New York Military Academy together, was advocating for the White House to adopt this draft order.
While it remains unclear what role Trump believes Iran played in the 2020 election, he is much clearer on what role the country's leaders played in the 2024 election. Trump has indicated that he may be willing to bypass Congress and issue an order to allow him to take control of elections, citing the need to declare an emergency.
The Security Tradeoff
The situation highlights the tension between national security and election integrity. As the US and Israel launch attacks on Iran, the role of technology in election interference and the potential for misinformation to inform decision-making have become increasingly important. The draft executive order, if adopted, could have significant implications for the control of US elections and the balance of power in the country.
