As President Donald Trump and some of his allies continued to level mendacious attacks on the legitimacy of the 2020 election results on Tuesday, the New York Times—whose reporters phoned election officials in every state and found no evidence of widespread irregularities—published a report refuting the president's baseless claims.
The Times spoke with both Republican and Democratic officials, who universally rejected accusations of voter fraud and other improprieties.
"There's a great human capacity for inventing things that aren't true about elections," Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican, said. "The conspiracy theories and rumors and all those things run rampant. For some reason, elections breed that type of mythology."
A spokesperson for Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab, also a Republican, confirmed that the Sunflower State "did not experience any widespread, systematic issues with voter fraud, intimidation, irregularities, or voting problems," adding that "we are very pleased with how the election has gone up to this point."
Democrat Steve Simon, Minnesota's secretary of state, succinctly told the Times: "I don't know of a single case where someone argued that a vote counted when it shouldn't have or didn't count when it should. There was no fraud."
Amid the desperate legal challenges, rampant conspiracy theories, and incessant lies from Trump and his die-hard supporters, each dubious claim crumbles upon sober examination:
- Dead people did not vote in Michigan, Pennsylvania—or anywhere else. Such incidents are exceedingly rare.
- There were no statewide problems with voting machines in Michigan, despite an isolated case of operator error that affected ballots in one county.
- President-elect Joe Biden was not "given" 130,000 votes he did not earn in Michigan.
- That ballot-stuffing video was not recorded in Michigan—it was shot in Russia.
- Wisconsin did not count more ballots than registered voters.
- Ballots marked with Sharpies were counted the same as every other vote in Arizona.
Meanwhile, the Washington Post on Tuesday reported that a Pennsylvania postal worker hailed by Trump supporters as a patriotic whistleblower admitted that he fabricated allegations of widespread voter fraud. Trump, however, refused to believe it.
Despite the debunking of every one of the preposterous claims made by Trump or his supporters, fully 70% of Republican voters surveyed in a post-election Politico/Morning Consult poll said they did not believe the 2020 contest was free and fair.
Instead of seeking to reassure the public that the election was legitimate, Trump has exacerbated and attempted to benefit from the widespread doubt, while encouraging government loyalists to delay or deny the constitutional transfer of power to Biden.
A growing number of Republican critics have called Trump's words and actions "reckless" and "dangerous" for democracy. So do some law enforcement authorities, who worry the president's election fraud conspiracy theories may spark deadly violence.
Supporters of the president who acknowledge the outcome of the election have been gentler, but unambiguous. As the Times reported, Montana Secretary of State Corey Stapleton took to Twitter over the weekend, writing: "I have supported you, Mr. President... @realDonaldTrump accomplished some incredible things during your time in office! But that time is now over! Tip your hat, bite your lip, and congratulate @JoeBiden."
The long thread of denigration and denial in response to Stapleton's friendly comments, however, shows the doubt over the election results that Trump has so effectively sown.
This article first appeared on Common Dreams. You can read it here.
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
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Giphy from The Blacklist.
We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.