Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith hears Trump’s warning about federal government watching her state’s election, and reveals what she claims is his real motive

President Trump stated on Monday that his administration is keeping a close watch on Minnesota to prevent voter fraud in the upcoming Senate race. This contest features Republican Michele Tafoya against Democrat Peggy Flanagan for the seat currently held by retiring Senator Tina Smith.

The President posted his concerns to Truth Social, writing, “Let’s all get behind Michele Tafoya in Minnesota. She’s running a great race. Don’t allow them to play with the Votes after the race is over. The Federal Government will be watching closely.” He further alleged that the only way for the Republican candidate to lose is if the opposition cheats by manipulating incoming ballots.

As reported by The Hill, Senator Smith responded to these comments on X, where she claimed the President is preparing to influence the outcome of the election. She wrote, “He’s blatantly laying the groundwork to steal an election if his chosen candidate doesn’t win… Minnesota will not take kindly to thinly veiled threats from a guy we’ve rejected three times (soon to be four).”

The race between Tafoya and Flanagan has become quite competitive as the election approaches

The President also claimed that he would have secured victories in Minnesota during the 2016, 2020, and 2024 presidential elections if the vote counts were accurate. He added, “We can’t allow that to happen, because I won Minnesota three times, but they didn’t give me the Victories, and Minnesota hasn’t been ‘won’ since 1972, when Richard Nixon claimed the trophy.” These claims regarding past election results are made without evidence.

Recent polling data from RealClearPolling.com shows Flanagan holding a lead of approximately 3.5 percentage points. The political climate in the state has been influenced by Republican criticisms regarding Governor Tim Walz and his management of social services programs. These programs reportedly lost hundreds of millions of dollars due to widespread fraud.

Tafoya has leaned into this issue in her campaign advertisements. In one spot, she identifies as a pro-choice Republican who is willing to challenge her own party. She also criticizes her opponent, stating that Flanagan put politics first and let fraudsters steal your money. Another advertisement from the Republican campaign characterizes the current state leadership under the Democrats as a culture of corruption.

Flanagan has focused her campaign on affordability issues for voters. Her messaging includes support for Medicare for All and a promise to end tax breaks for billionaires. In her own advertisements, she claims she is running for Senate to help people afford their lives. She also warns voters that her opponent would act as another senator for Trump.

It seems the rhetoric from both sides is heating up as the candidates attempt to sway undecided voters in these final days. The intense focus on the integrity of the ballot process reflects the broader tensions surrounding this specific Senate seat. Whether the federal monitoring mentioned by the President will actually take place remains a point of contention between the campaigns. The people of Minnesota will ultimately decide which direction they want their representation to take when they head to the polls.