Trump Alleges China Obtained 220 Million US Voter Files, Cites Election Security Threat

WASHINGTON, July 17: US President Donald Trump has accused China of illegally acquiring the personal data of 220 million American voters, describing it as the "largest compromise of election data in history" and alleging widespread foreign interference in the US electoral system.

In a primetime address to the nation on Friday, Trump announced the declassification of intelligence reports that he said exposed significant vulnerabilities in America's election infrastructure and detailed efforts by foreign adversaries to influence US elections.

Citing a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) assessment, Trump claimed that during his first term in office, the Chinese Communist Party adopted a strategy in 2018 to use domestic and foreign elements opposed to him in an effort to reduce his support in the 2020 presidential election, force his resignation or prevent his re-election.

Trump further alleged that multiple CIA and National Security Agency (NSA) intelligence reports concerning China's election-related activities were withheld from his presidential intelligence briefings.

He also accused the Chinese government of attempting to identify American journalists who had published unfavorable reports about him and offering them financial incentives to continue such coverage.

Quoting one of the intelligence assessments, Trump said US adversaries—including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, as well as non-state groups—possess the capability to compromise US election infrastructure.

The president argued that the disclosures demonstrate an election system that is "broken and vulnerable," claiming that hundreds of millions of US voter files are now in the hands of foreign governments.

Trump also alleged that voter rolls contain hundreds of thousands of non-citizens and deceased individuals while criticizing the absence of a nationwide requirement for voter identification or proof of citizenship.

He announced that Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin would hold a briefing on Saturday outlining what he described as recently confirmed cyber vulnerabilities in electronic voting systems. Trump said federal officials are also notifying governors, senators and members of Congress about potential election security issues affecting their states.

Calling for legislative action, Trump urged Congress to pass the Save America Act, a bill he supports that would require proof of US citizenship for all voters, arguing that it is essential to restoring confidence in the country's election system.

China has not immediately responded to Trump's allegations. The claims have also not been independently verified.