Trump Voted by Mail in Florida Primary Despite Repeatedly Criticizing Mail-In Voting

Trump, who called mail-in voting 'inherently corrupt' last month, cast a mail-in ballot in Florida's Republican primary on August 13.

Donald Trump, who declared mail-in voting 'inherently corrupt' in a speech last month, returned a mail-in ballot to Palm Beach County, Florida on August 13 — ahead of Tuesday's Republican primary. The voting record was obtained by Politico. Trump is 80 years old and has been a Florida resident, making him eligible to vote in the state's Republican primary contests, which include the governor's race. Polls have shown Rep. Byron Donalds, whom Trump has endorsed, as the frontrunner in that race. Trump has repeatedly attacked mail-in voting over several years, and earlier this year signed an executive order aimed at curbing the practice. The White House stated there is nothing unusual about Trump using a mail-in ballot.

Why it matters

Trump has signed an executive order restricting mail-in voting and made opposition to it a central political message, so his personal use of the method draws direct scrutiny to the consistency of that position. Millions of voters have been told by Trump that the practice is unreliable or fraudulent.

What's next

Tuesday's Florida Republican primary will determine the outcome of the governor's race and other contests Trump weighed in on with his endorsements.

Key facts

• Trump returned his mail-in ballot to Palm Beach County, Florida on August 13
• Trump called mail-in voting 'inherently corrupt' in a speech last month
• Trump signed an executive order in March aimed at curbing voting by mail
• The voting record was obtained by Politico from local voting records
• The Florida Republican primary includes a governor's race featuring Trump-endorsed Rep. Byron Donalds
• The White House responded by saying there was nothing unusual about Trump's use of a mail-in ballot

Bias & framing notes

The Daily Beast framing is overtly editorializing — using 'Busted' and 'Brazen Hypocrite' in the headline — whereas The Guardian's headline is factual and neutral. Both sources rely on Politico's reporting of the voting record rather than independent verification, and neither source provides substantial detail about the White House's full stated rationale.

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