Trump Says Putin Agrees US Should Not Have Mail-In Voting
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agrees with him that letting voters send in ballots by mail puts honest elections at risk. Following their nearly three-hour summit in Alaska on August 15, 2025, Trump Putin mail-in voting discussions emerged as an unexpected topic. “Vladimir Putin, smart guy, said you can’t have an honest election with mail-in voting,” Trump told Fox News Channel’s “Hannity” after the meeting. This revelation adds another layer to the ongoing election integrity debate surrounding voting methods in America.
Trump-Putin Alaska Summit Details
The Trump Putin Alaska meeting took place at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on August 15, 2025. The US and Russian presidents met in Anchorage for nearly three hours, but the talks did not bring a halt to Russia’s ongoing assault on Ukraine. However, the discussions apparently extended beyond the primary agenda of addressing the Ukraine conflict.
“Vladimir Putin said something, one of the most interesting things. He said, your election was rigged because you have mail in voting. He said no country has mail in voting. It’s impossible to have mail in voting and have honest…” elections, according to Trump’s account of their conversation.
Putin’s Alleged Views on Mail-In Voting
According to Trump’s statements to Fox News, Putin mail-in voting comments focused on election security concerns. The Russian president allegedly told Trump that:
- No other countries use mail-in voting systems
- Mail-in voting makes honest elections impossible
- The 2020 U.S. election was compromised due to mail-in ballots
The US President said his Russian counterpart agrees that letting voters send in ballots by mail puts honest elections at risk. These claims echo long-standing Republican concerns about voting security measures and election integrity.
Context of Mail-In Voting Debate
The mail-in voting controversy has been a contentious issue in American politics since the 2020 election. Trump has consistently argued that expanded mail-in voting during the COVID-19 pandemic compromised election security. Meanwhile, election officials and security experts have defended mail-in voting as secure when properly implemented.
Several states expanded mail-in voting options during the pandemic, including:
- Universal mail-in ballot distribution
- Extended deadlines for ballot receipt
- Relaxed signature verification requirements
- Increased ballot drop-box locations
Political Reactions and Implications
The revelation that Trump discussed election integrity with Putin during their Alaska summit has drawn criticism from political opponents. Democrats have long criticized Trump’s claims about the 2020 election, arguing they undermine confidence in American democratic institutions.
Election security experts note that mail-in voting systems include multiple safeguards, such as signature verification, ballot tracking, and secure drop-off locations. However, Trump’s supporters view Putin’s alleged agreement as validation of their concerns about voting methods.
Alaska Summit Outcomes
President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a high-stakes summit in Alaska, but the talks did not yield a ceasefire in Ukraine. The primary goal of ending Russia’s war in Ukraine remained unachieved. President Trump said that he and Russia’s Vladimir Putin made progress in talks to end the war in Ukraine, but the two leaders did not announce any steps toward reaching a ceasefire.
The voting discussion controversy emerged as an unexpected subplot to what was primarily focused on geopolitical issues.
Conclusion
Trump’s claims about Putin’s mail-in voting views add another dimension to ongoing debates about American election integrity. While the Alaska summit failed to achieve its primary goal of ending the Ukraine conflict, it has reignited discussions about voting methods and election security. These revelations will likely continue fueling political debates as the 2026 midterm elections approach.