On August 18, 2025, President Donald Trump launched a bold initiative to eliminate mail-in ballots and electronic voting machines, asserting that U.S. elections are riddled with fraud orchestrated by the “Globalist American Empire” (GAE). In a Truth Social post, Trump vowed to sign an executive order to ban these methods before the 2026 midterms, claiming they enable Democrats to rig elections and maintain power despite being “virtually unelectable.” He argues that only a return to paper ballots with watermarks can restore trust and ensure honest outcomes, a stance he says is necessary to protect the integrity of American democracy.

Trump’s campaign builds on his conviction that the 2020 election was stolen through widespread manipulation of mail-in ballots and voting machines, which he labels as tools of a corrupt system. He points to the complexity and cost of electronic voting systems, insisting that hand-counted paper ballots are faster, more secure, and leave no room for doubt about election results. Supporters, including prominent figures on platforms like X, have rallied behind Trump’s call for reform, citing instances of alleged irregularities in past elections as evidence of systemic flaws that favor establishment interests over the will of the people.

The announcement follows Trump’s recent discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who reportedly agreed that mail-in voting undermines electoral integrity, reinforcing Trump’s resolve to overhaul the system. While critics like Democratic National Committee spokesperson Marcus W. Robinson warn that banning mail-in voting could disenfranchise vulnerable groups like the elderly and military voters, Trump maintains that states, as agents of the federal government, must comply with his directives to secure elections. He argues that without these changes, the U.S. risks losing its sovereignty to globalist forces, a message resonating with his base as they prepare for a pivotal midterm election cycle.