Trump chose to lie to his voters by removing some of his advisors and replacing them with people willing to lie for him, according to Jack Smith.
Significant revelations
Jack Smith, the special counsel in charge of the ongoing federal election interference case against Donald Trump, has made significant revelations in a document released by the court.
Illegal acts
Jack Smith argues that Trump used illegal acts to try to alter the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Aware that his claims were false
In a 165-page document, Smith explains that Trump was aware that his claims of voter fraud were false, as many people in his inner circle, including Mike Pence, had informed him.
His accusations
Numerous advisors close to Trump, whose names have been obscured to protect their identities for future trial, repeatedly told him in the months following the election that he had lost, that Joe Biden had won and that his accusations of fraud were completely unfounded.
His close advisors
According to the documents, several conversations took place between Trump and his close advisors, including Mike Pence, who repeatedly encouraged Trump to accept the election results between November 2020 and January 2021. Despite this, he persisted with his allegations in an attempt to retain power.
Presidential immunity
Through this document, Jack Smith seeks to demonstrate to the court that these conversations were not related to their official duties, but took place as part of the election campaign. He argues that Trump was acting as a candidate and not as president, which would prevent him from claiming the presidential immunity recently granted by the Supreme Court.
Aware of legitimacy
While many Trump supporters believe he is telling the truth when he claims the election was stolen from him, testimony from his close advisors reveals the opposite: Trump was aware of the legitimacy of the results. He chose to lie to his voters by removing some of his advisors and replacing them with people willing to lie for him, according to Jack Smith.
A conversation
A key witness, whose name is blacked out in court documents, recounts a comment overheard during a conversation between Trump and his family, in which he asserted that regardless of whether they won the election or not, he had to keep fighting.
Retaining power
This example is one of many cited in the 165-page document, confirming that Trump was determined to retain his power, despite the lack of evidence supporting his allegations.