The New York Times has released audio clips featuring President Donald Trump offering explicit advice to Georgia Republicans on how to alter the results of the 2020 election, a contest he lost to then-President-elect Joe Biden.
According to a report by the Times on Wednesday, these recordings are part of an extensive collection of materials related to a recently terminated criminal case in Fulton County, Georgia. This case includes allegations against Trump and several of his close advisors. In one notable 12-minute call, Trump is heard speaking with the late David Ralston, who was the Speaker of the Georgia House at the time.
During the conversation, Trump suggested the idea of calling a special legislative session to investigate claims of supposed election “fraud.” “Who’s gonna stop you for that?” Trump asked during the call.
Ralston responded with light-hearted caution, saying, “A federal judge, possibly,” prompting laughter.
As the dialogue progressed, Trump outlined how Ralston should lead this proposed session, reiterating his unfounded belief that he had clinched a major victory in Georgia, despite having lost by approximately 12,000 votes. He recycled discredited conspiracy theories regarding alleged ballot manipulation at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, points often pushed by Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s former lawyer.
Trump went on to insist, “If we had a special session, we will present evidence showing massive fraud, and you will endorse it, saying, ‘We’re going to take back the state.'”
Although Ralston did not commit to such a special session, the conversation contributes to the backdrop of ongoing prosecutions by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who has accused Trump of improperly urging Ralston to breach his oath of office. She claimed this was aimed at unlawfully appointing presidential electors from Georgia. In response, Judge Scott McAfee eventually dismissed the initial charges due to a lack of specificity.
In an oddly personal note, Ralston mentioned during the call, “I march to my own drummer, and my own drummer says I want Donald Trump to remain the president.”
Click here to listen to the full report by the Times (subscription required).
