Why 'Trump Cheated' is trending: The Pennsylvania mail-in ballot controversy explained

Concerns mount online as voters claim mail-in ballot issues in Pennsylvania signal foul play.

As the dust settles from the 2024 U.S. Presidential election, a trending claim that “Trump cheated” has overtaken X, with thousands posting concerns over mail-in ballot challenges in Pennsylvania. 

Posts flooded the platform as screenshots surfaced showing last-minute absentee ballot challenges, sparking suspicions among voters. One widely shared tweet urged, “REPOST THESE IMAGES. KEEP SHARING. KEEP REPOSTING. TRUMP CHEATED.”

Raise your hand if you think #TrumpCheated 👁👄👁 pic.twitter.com/i8xQVYkqdn

— X  💯 (@realXanderXjork) November 7, 2024

NPR reports that officials in 14 Pennsylvania counties received over 4,000 mail ballot challenges by November 1, causing a stir. X users voiced their outrage, with comments like, “Raise your hand if you think #TrumpCheated 👁👄👁” and “Trump f*cking cheated. It’s blatant and the og images got taken down.” 

trump fucking cheated. It’s blatant and the og images got taken down

Spread this shit. We can’t let this go on. #TrumpCheated pic.twitter.com/BgEEVqvVhk

— Megs is grieving…🍉🔻(23 days🎂) (@Megs_needsrest) November 6, 2024

Another added, “KEEP POSTING, KEEP PROTESTING, THEY NEED TO HEAR US AND RECOUNT EVERY SINGLE MISSING BALLOT AND BRIBED VOTE‼️‼️”

Keep this moving, every one helps#TrumpCheated #StealTheVote pic.twitter.com/ZhWux4ANkN

— Brandon De La Cruz (@StartTheCharge) November 7, 2024

Meanwhile, Trump responded to the accusations with his own claims, alleging “mass cheating” in Philadelphia.

In a post on Truth Social, he wrote, “There is a lot of talk about massive cheating. Law enforcement coming!!” However, Philadelphia officials quickly dismissed the allegations as misinformation. 

District Attorney Larry Krasner stated, “There is no factual basis whatsoever within law enforcement to support this wild allegation.” 

City Commissioner Seth Bluestein, a Republican, further confirmed, “There is absolutely no truth to this allegation. Voting in Philadelphia has been safe and secure.”

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro also weighed in, calling the accusations “baseless” and noting that he successfully defended 43 election-related challenges during Trump’s 2020 campaign. 

Shapiro reassured voters, stating, “If I lose an election, if it’s a fair election, I would be the first one to acknowledge it. So far I think it’s been fair.”

As Trump claims victory with 295 electoral votes, the hashtag #TrumpCheated continues to fuel debate online, with users determined to keep the conversation alive.