Trump's Racist Election Lies Targeted Black Voters

Former president's efforts to overturn 2020 election results included racist rhetoric and violations of civil rights law

Feb. 6, 2026 at 4:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Donald Trump's failed attempt to subvert the 2020 presidential election consistently questioned the legitimacy of votes in U.S. cities with large Black populations. This included sharing a social media post depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes, and the targeting of Georgia election workers Wandrea 'Shaye' Moss and Ruby Freeman with false and inflammatory accusations that relied on racist stereotypes. The NAACP sued Trump for violating the Ku Klux Klan Act, arguing his efforts mirrored historical abuses against Black Americans, and a jury initially awarded Moss and Freeman $148 million in a defamation lawsuit, later reduced to $146 million.

Why it matters

Trump's rhetoric and actions represented a dangerous escalation in attempts to undermine public trust in democratic processes, particularly for communities of color. The deliberate targeting of election workers with false accusations can have devastating consequences for those falsely accused and erodes faith in the integrity of elections.

The details

In a now-deleted social media post, Trump shared a video rehashing his election claims and depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes. The NAACP recognized a pattern of targeting Black voters in a lawsuit against Trump for violating the Ku Klux Klan Act, stating that efforts to disenfranchise voters in cities like Detroit, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and Atlanta 'repeat the worst abuses in our nation's history, where Black Americans were denied a voice in American democracy for most of the first two centuries of the Republic.' Rudy Giuliani's campaign against Georgia election workers Wandrea 'Shaye' Moss and Ruby Freeman relied on racist stereotypes, falsely accusing them of illicit activity while counting ballots. Moss testified before Congress that she received numerous threats, including references to lynching.

  • In a now-deleted social media post, Trump shared a video rehashing his election claims and depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes.
  • The NAACP filed a lawsuit against Trump for violating the Ku Klux Klan Act after the 2020 election.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president whose efforts to overturn the 2020 election results included racist rhetoric and violations of civil rights law.

Wandrea 'Shaye' Moss

A Georgia election worker who was targeted by Rudy Giuliani's campaign with false and inflammatory accusations that relied on racist stereotypes.

Ruby Freeman

A Georgia election worker who was targeted by Rudy Giuliani's campaign with false and inflammatory accusations that relied on racist stereotypes.

Rudy Giuliani

Trump's personal lawyer whose campaign against Moss and Freeman relied on racist stereotypes and false accusations.

NAACP

The civil rights organization that sued Trump for violating the Ku Klux Klan Act, arguing his efforts to disenfranchise voters in cities with large Black populations mirrored historical abuses.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The deliberate targeting of election workers with false and inflammatory accusations represents a dangerous escalation in attempts to undermine public trust in democratic processes and can have devastating consequences for those falsely accused.

The takeaway

Trump's racist rhetoric and actions during his attempt to overturn the 2020 election results highlight the ongoing threat of voter suppression and the need for vigilance in protecting the civil rights of all Americans, regardless of race or ethnicity.