Former President Donald Trump on Thursday canceled a press conference set for Aug. 21, during which he was apparently going to unveil evidence of alleged fraud in the 2020 presidential election.
Trump declared he was canceling the Monday release of his “Report on the Rigged & Stolen Georgia 2020 Presidential Election,” saying his lawyers would prefer to put the “irrefutable” evidence in legal filings. The beleaguered former president was indicted in Georgia on Aug. 14 — his fourth indictment, the latest pertaining to his alleged efforts to overturn Georgia’s results in the 2020 election.
Trump was charged along with 18 former administration officials and allies. The former president is accused of violating Georgia’s “Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations” (RICO) Act, solicitation of violation of oath by public officer, conspiracy to commit impersonating a public officer, conspiracy to commit forgery in the first degree, conspiracy to commit false statements and writings, conspiracy to commit filing false documents, conspiracy to commit forgery in the first degree, conspiracy to commit false statements and writings, filing false documents, solicitation of violation of oath by public officer, and false statements and writings.
The charges allege that instead of accepting defeat in the state, Trump and his allies “knowingly and willfully joined a conspiracy to unlawfully change the outcome of the election in favor of Trump.” (RELATED: REPORT: Trump Told Georgia Secretary of State ‘To Find’ Votes During Recorded Phone Call)
In response, Trump argued he had not tampered with the election, alleging instead that the ones who tampered with the election in Georgia were the “ones that rigged it.”
The press conference was due to be held in Bedminster, New Jersey, at 11 a.m. Monday. Trump told his followers to expect a “conclusive report” that would result in the “complete” exoneration of himself and others accused of election interference. Now, as the former president prepares for multiple legal battles while campaigning for reelection, he has accused the Biden administration and multiple district attorneys of engaging in a “witch hunt” against him designed to keep him out of office.