AN IRISHMAN working as a reporter for American news network CNN tackled claims of election fraud by speaking with supporters of Donald Trump.
Donie O'Sullivan, originally from County Kerry but who now lives in the United States, was on the ground reporting for CNN earlier this week when he interviewed a number of Trump supporters who believe the election was rigged.
Supporters of the incumbent US President gathered in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania for a 'Stop the Steal' protest, claiming that Joe Biden only won the votes he did because of widespread fraud.
Mr O'Sullivan spoke to several people who had seen a video purporting to show a bag of mail-in ballots for Donald Trump which was then set on fire; the video subsequently went viral and strengthened supporters' beliefs that the election had been rigged.
The Kerry native listened to those who believed these theories and told them that election officials had fact-checked the video and said the mail-in ballots in question were samples and not real votes.
However, as one woman Mr O'Sullivan spoke to responded, if there was fraud involved in the election, election officials would always say the video was fake.
Another woman would not accept that it was legal to keep counting votes after election day, telling Mr O'Sullivan: "You're wrong. Go. I don't even want to talk to you," when the reporter indicated the votes were valid as long as they were cast on or before the day.
President Trump has repeatedly refused to concede the election, stating he has "absolutely shocking" evidence of voter fraud relating to a "cesspool of fake votes".
He has promised to take the result to the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, President-elect Joe Biden has called Mr Trump's refusal to concede an "embarrassment", adding: "I think it will not help the president's legacy."
