At a recent rally, President-elect Trump credited Elon Musk’s purported expertise in Pennsylvania’s voting systems for his landslide victory in the state. This statement, widely circulated online, prompted accusations from Trump critics of election rigging and spurred speculation about potential voter fraud. The claims have drawn sharp rebukes from Democrats, including a sitting congresswoman, who allege a confession to criminal activity. Newsweek has reached out to both the Trump transition team and Elon Musk for comment.
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After a brush fire started on Blue Mountain on Saturday and expanded significantly, community members donated so much support to the Lehigh Township Volunteer Fire Co. that they had to inform the public they no longer need material donations. The department’s Facebook page went as far to encourage people to keep anything they’d already purchased for the contribution drive for their own usage. The department is still accepting monetary donations on a Square page. As of Sunday, the fire company is being stationed at numerous residences along the mountain for structural protection, and several roads have been closed. Fire Commissioner Rick Hildebrand Jr. estimates the fire covered about 40 acres before potentially doubling or tripling overnight, and noted the fire’s spread being eastward from Route 248 on the mountain, has been difficult to combat due to location, terrain, and drought conditions.
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A new poll conducted by Morning Call/Muhlenberg College shows Vice President Kamala Harris slightly ahead of former President Donald Trump in the crucial battleground state of Pennsylvania, two days before Election Day. Harris leads with a 49% to 47% margin, within the poll’s margin of error. Pennsylvania, with 19 electoral votes, could decisively sway the election. Other polls depict an extremely tight race in the state, with some aggregators placing Trump slightly ahead. Both campaigns have stationed strong presences in the state.
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The US Supreme Court denied an emergency appeal from the Republican party to prevent thousands of provisional ballots being counted in Pennsylvania. The justices have upheld a ruling by the state’s Supreme Court that demanded election officials count provisional votes from people whose mailed votes were rejected. The ruling has been welcomed by supporters of voters’ rights, who have forced predominantly Republican-controlled counties to let electors cast a provisional vote at the polls if their postal vote is rejected due to an error. By contrast, Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court rejected a last-minute plea by campaigners for voters’ rights to ensure postal votes will still be counted even if they lack an accurate, handwritten date on the envelope.
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Trump’s Puerto Rico fallout is spreading like wildfire in Pennsylvania. As a resident of the Lehigh Valley, I’ve watched the political landscape shift dramatically, especially with the Puerto Rican community that calls this region home. It’s surreal how a misguided attempt at humor by a comedian at one of Trump’s rallies has ignited a new fervor among Puerto Ricans, many of whom were previously disengaged from the political process.
The Puerto Rican population in Pennsylvania is sizeable—around 300,000. This demographic is crucial in swing counties. The fact that Tony Hinchcliffe, a comedian known for his controversial remarks, was chosen as an opening act for Trump has only served to remind everyone of the President’s deep-seated disdain for Puerto Rico.… Continue reading
Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro’s call for law enforcement to investigate Elon Musk’s voter payments is a crucial step towards upholding the integrity of our electoral process. By offering a $1 million lottery prize to registered voters, Musk is essentially paying them to register to vote, which is a blatant violation of U.S. election laws. The law explicitly states that paying or offering to pay individuals for registration to vote is illegal and can result in hefty fines and imprisonment.
Musk’s attempt to sway voters with monetary incentives is not only ethically questionable but also undermines the fundamental principles of democracy. The idea that someone can essentially buy votes using their wealth sets a dangerous precedent and erodes trust in the electoral system.… Continue reading
It’s concerning that JD Vance was faced with numerous empty seats at his campaign event in Pennsylvania. In politics, visuals matter, and a lackluster turnout like this can paint a negative picture of a candidate’s momentum and support. While it’s true that not all attendees at a rally translate into votes, the absence of a crowd in a critical state like Pennsylvania raises red flags regarding the viability of Vance’s campaign.
The media plays a significant role in shaping public perception, and it’s essential for them to cover such events accurately. The disparity between the polls and the actual turnout at Vance’s event is puzzling.… Continue reading
The surge of Black women and young people registering to vote in Pennsylvania is a glimmer of hope in what has been a tumultuous and exhausting political landscape. As a 17-year-old Pennsylvanian eagerly awaiting my chance to cast my first vote in November, I am inspired by the momentum building in my state. The potential impact of Black women and young voters cannot be understated, especially in an election as critical as this one.
The idea that Pennsylvania holds the key to victory in the upcoming election is both nerve-wracking and empowering. The possibility of a decisive win for Kamala Harris in Pennsylvania, coupled with the enthusiasm of the youth vote, could spell trouble for Trump.… Continue reading
As a resident of Pennsylvania, it’s concerning to see the data indicating that Republicans are registering more new voters than Democrats in the state. The numbers show that there is a notable difference in registrations in favor of Republicans, especially in July. The sentiment of receiving pro-Trump and anti-Kamala propaganda in the mail is reflective of the aggressive campaigning tactics being employed.
The fact that Democrats still hold a commanding lead in terms of total registered voters statewide is a comforting thought. However, the rate at which Republicans are gaining new voter registrations is something that cannot be overlooked. The ground game in Pennsylvania needs to be strong and consistent to counteract these efforts.… Continue reading
I find it deeply disheartening to see the lengths some individuals will go to in order to disenfranchise voters. The recent court decision in Pennsylvania, which stopped counties from throwing out mail-in votes due to incorrect envelope dates, is a stark reminder of the threats democracy faces. The fact that individuals would actively work to undermine the very foundation of democracy is both puzzling and alarming.
The requirement to include accurate, handwritten dates on envelopes used for mail-in ballots seems arbitrary and unnecessary. Why should the date on the envelope matter if the ballot is received in a timely fashion and is postmarked correctly?… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker