In a recent legal filing submitted by special counsel Jack Smith in the federal election interference case against former President Donald Trump, shocking details emerged about Trump’s reaction towards his former attorney, Sidney Powell, and her election conspiracy theories. The document reveals that Trump laughed at Powell’s “crazy” claims about the 2020 election and even likened them to something out of Star Trek.
The filing sheds light on Trump’s apparent disbelief in Powell’s assertions, particularly during a press conference in November 2019 where she made wild and false claims about election fraud. Powell infamously stated that voting machines in contested states were designed to steal elections, alleging involvement of communist money from Venezuela, Cuba, and possibly China. She also made headlines by vowing to “release the Kraken” to prove Trump’s victory.
According to the legal document, not only did Trump find Powell’s claims baseless, but he also enlisted the help of two unnamed staffers who confirmed that Powell had failed to provide any evidence to support her assertions, even after multiple requests. Trump reportedly considered Powell to be “unhinged” and even put her on speakerphone during a call to mock her claims in front of his staff.
Despite acknowledging that he had not seen any evidence to support Powell’s allegations, Trump continued to endorse and publicize her unfounded claims, according to Smith’s filing. The document alleges that Trump sent out tweets promoting Powell’s unsuccessful lawsuit alleging electoral fraud in Georgia in the days following the press conference.
Smith is utilizing Trump’s interactions with Powell as evidence that he was “acting as a candidate, not as President” when he allegedly attempted to overturn the election results. The revelations in the legal filing add a new dimension to the ongoing case against Trump and his associates regarding their actions surrounding the 2020 election.
This latest development further underscores the tumultuous aftermath of the 2020 election, with Powell’s conspiracy theories facing scrutiny even from those within Trump’s inner circle. As the legal proceedings continue, the spotlight remains on the intricate details of Trump’s response to the election results and the extent to which he was involved in efforts to challenge the outcome.