Trump previews Friday address on elections and voting machines

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday (local time) that his nationally televised address two days later would cover American elections and voting machines.

Speaking to reporters at the White House after meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Sudani, Trump was asked whether the speech would address "voting machines and election integrity." He said he wanted to "keep it a surprise" but added, "It will be related to that subject, and I have a few other things to say, but I want to keep it a surprise for now."

Trump said the address would be "really big news." He doubled down on the need for electoral reform, saying: "Our country has to improve. There is nothing more important than this, because without free and fair elections, a country cannot exist."

Trump did not disclose specifics, but his preview of a "major announcement" on elections and voting machines — combined with his repeated emphasis on the need for "free and fair elections" — has raised expectations of a significant statement on the topic.

Trump is widely expected to revisit his claims that the results of the 2020 presidential election, in which he lost to former President Joe Biden, were manipulated.

After losing that election, Trump refused to accept the outcome, helping to incite the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. He continues to promote the conspiracy theory that the election was stolen.

On top of that, he is expected to highlight what he describes as ongoing voter fraud across the country and call for passage of the Save America Act, commonly known as the "voter ID bill."

The Save America Act would require voters to present identification and proof of citizenship at the polls, and ban mail-in voting except for military service members and those with illness, disability or travel-related reasons.

Trump's address is scheduled for 9 p.m. Thursday (local time), or 10 a.m. Friday Korean Standard Time.