WASHINGTON D.C January 20, 2026 – On Inauguration Day, tech billionaire Elon Musk amplified a video clip of President Donald Trump pushing for stricter voter identification laws, reigniting debates over election integrity just as Trump begins his second non-consecutive term in office.
The clip, shared by Musk on X (formerly Twitter), features Trump from a November 5, 2025, breakfast meeting with Republican senators at the White House. In the footage, Trump states, “All we want is voter ID. You go to a grocery store, you have to give ID. You go to a gas station, you give ID. But for voting, they want no voter ID. It’s only for one reason: because they cheat.” He further criticizes mail-in ballots, calling them “automatically corrupt” and referencing the 2005 Carter-Baker Commission, which recommended safeguards against fraud in absentee voting, including concerns over mail-in processes.
Musk’s post, which quotes an earlier share by user @XFreeze , has garnered over 1.3 million views, 30,000 likes, and thousands of engagements within hours. Supporters echoed T ump’s sentiments in replies, with one user, @ChrisMartzWX , stating, “I still have not heard one legitimate argument from the left against Voter ID.” Another, @Bubblebathgirl , added, “The only people against voter ID are voter fraudsters.”
However, the president’s analogy drew swift criticism online and from media outlets. Fact-checkers noted that ID is not typically required for routine grocery or gas purchases, except for age-restricted items like alcohol or tobacco. Critics, including MSNBC commentator Steve Benen, highlighted the claim as evidence of Trump being “out of touch,” pointing out that the president likely hasn’t shopped for groceries personally in decades. Social media users mocked the assertion, with one viral post quipping, “The last time he bought groceries was 1980 and he paid with a check.
This isn’t the first time Trump has made similar claims; he voiced a comparable argument in 2018, prompting similar fact-checks. Proponents of voter ID laws argue they prevent fraud, while opponents contend they disproportionately affect low-income and minority voters, potentially suppressing turnout without evidence of widespread cheating.
The timing of Musk’s share coincides with Trump’s inauguration, where election security remains a hot-button issue. As of now, voter ID requirements vary by state, with 36 states mandating some form of identification at the polls, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Trump’s administration has signaled intentions to push for federal reforms, though such measures face steep hurdles in a divided Congress.
Musk, a vocal Trump supporter and owner of X, has frequently used the platform to promote conservative views on topics like free speech and government overreach. Neither Musk nor the White House immediately responded to requests for comment on the post.
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