President Donald Trump is promising what he described as “really big news” during a nationally televised address scheduled for Thursday night, offering a preview from the Oval Office that suggested election integrity will be a central focus of his remarks.
Trump made the comments while appearing alongside Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi, where he was asked by a reporter about reports that the speech would center on election machines and election integrity.
The president appeared to confirm those reports while indicating the address would also cover additional topics.
“It will concern that subject and a couple of other things,” Trump said. “I’d rather save it, but it’s really big news. It’s really, really big news.”
Trump continued by emphasizing the importance of elections, saying the upcoming address would focus on issues he considers fundamental to the country.
“Our country has to shape up,” he said. “But that’s what we’re going to be talking about Thursday, it doesn’t get bigger.”
“Without a free and fair elections you don’t have a country,” Trump added. “We’ll be discussing other things too, but it’s going to be a very big announcement.”
The comments come just days after Trump first announced plans for the speech. According to MS NOW, the address is expected to involve new information related to Trump’s long-standing claim that the 2020 presidential election was “rigged.”
Meanwhile, The Washington Reporter reported that Trump is expected to argue during the speech that the narrow Senate victories of Georgia Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock were “illegitimate.” Both senators won runoff elections that helped Democrats secure control of the U.S. Senate.
The report prompted immediate responses from both Georgia lawmakers.
Ossoff criticized the expected focus of Trump’s address, accusing the president of reviving claims about the 2020 election.
“Donald Trump’s spiral continues. The failed president, pocketing billions as he drives up prices, is afraid to lose the midterms,” Ossoff wrote.
He continued, “So he will reheat debunked election conspiracy theories and tell bizarre new lies to deny his 2020 defeat and attack voting rights. This is a disaster for Trump puppet Mike Collins.”
Ossoff also referenced his Republican challenger, writing, “Already mired in scandal, Mike will now have to double down on conspiracy theories toxic in the General Election.”
The Georgia senator concluded by arguing that Trump’s continued attention to elections in the state reflects frustration over the outcome of previous contests.
“From the start, Trump’s obsession with Georgia elections revealed his fury that Black voters were instrumental to his defeat,” Ossoff said. “I’m asking concerned citizens nationwide to join me and support our voter protection efforts in Georgia.”
Warnock also responded to reports about the planned speech, posting his own criticism on X.
“Donald Trump is at war with our democracy and Georgia is ground zero,” Warnock wrote. “But this is John Lewis’ Georgia. We are not intimidated. We are not moved. Mr. President, instead of attacking our democracy, why don’t you do something about the high cost of gas, housing, and health care?”
Warnock further argued that Trump’s focus on the 2020 election serves a broader political purpose.
“Donald Trump is trying to cast doubt on 2020 to justify interfering in 202,” he wrote. “We see what he is doing and it will not work. Stay vigilant.”
Trump has not yet provided additional details about the address beyond saying it will focus on election integrity and other topics, while repeatedly describing Thursday’s announcement as among the biggest he has made.
