In Unhinged Rant, Trump Falsely Claims Obama Was ‘Caught’ Spying On Him ‘To Steal The Election’

Taking the stage shortly after wrapping up the nomination for a second term, President Trump falsely claimed that former President Barack Obama was caught “spying” on his campaign in 2016.

Trump said Monday in Charlotte that Democrats are “trying to steal the election” in November by expanding access to mail-in ballots.

“They’re trying to steal the election, just like they did it last time with spying, and we caught them, and that included President Obama,” Trump said.

“The only way they can take this election away from us if it is a rigged election,” he added.

“You have to be very, very careful, and you have to watch everyone because bad things happened last time with this fine campaign and that goes to Biden and that goes to Obama,” Trump said. “And we have to be very, very careful.”

Trump: "They are trying to steal the election from the Republicans … just like they did it last time with spying. And we caught them. That included President Obama [and] Biden." (Reminder: the Obama administration did not spy on Trump's campaign.) pic.twitter.com/jda6DlhjGy

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 24, 2020

Delegates at the convention center chanted “four more years,” and Trump responded, “If you really want to drive them crazy, say ‘12 more years.’”

“This is the most important election in the history of our country,” Trump said. “Our country can go in a horrible, horrible direction or an even greater direction.”