Following the apprehension of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, election conspiracy theorists and prominent MAGA influencers have seized on the event to revive debunked claims that the 2020 U.S. presidential election was stolen. Despite no factual basis, these figures insist the capture is directly linked to supposed Venezuelan involvement in rigging the vote in favor of Joe Biden.
The Reemergence of Disinformation:
The narrative gained traction almost immediately after Maduro’s capture on January 3rd. Former President Donald Trump amplified the theories on his Truth Social platform, sharing posts about Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic – companies that were previously at the center of baseless election fraud allegations. These claims, repeatedly disproven in court (most notably Fox News’ $800 million settlement with Dominion), now resurface with renewed vigor.
Key Figures Fueling the Conspiracy:
QAnon influencer Chad Vivas, pictured with Trump in the past, shared a post from Trump about Dominion, falsely linking it to Venezuelan election rigging. Sean Davis, CEO of the conservative magazine The Federalist, speculated that Maduro might offer evidence of the stolen election if charged. Jordan Sather, another prominent QAnon promoter, suggested Venezuela was used to launder election rigging technology by the Deep State.
Lack of Official Confirmation:
The White House has declined to comment on whether alleged election-rigging factored into the decision to capture Maduro. This silence further fuels speculation among conspiracy theorists, who claim the operation was motivated by revenge for the 2020 election.
Historical Roots of the Conspiracy:
The theories date back to the aftermath of the 2020 election, when Trump and his legal team pushed unsubstantiated claims of fraud. Sidney Powell, one of Trump’s lawyers, was among the first to accuse Smartmatic of helping rig elections in Venezuela and allegedly replicating the scheme in the U.S.
Escalating Rhetoric:
The rhetoric surrounding these theories has become increasingly extreme. Emerald Robinson, a host on Mike Lindell’s streaming platform, claimed she and others have been targeted for promoting these claims, even suggesting violence against those who don’t believe them.
Mobilization for 2026:
Election denial groups are already mobilizing for the 2026 midterm elections, pushing baseless claims about immigrant voting and leveraging access to the Trump administration to spread their theories. This demonstrates a persistent effort to undermine democratic processes based on unfounded allegations.
The resurgence of these conspiracies underscores the enduring influence of election denialism and the willingness of certain figures to exploit geopolitical events to reinforce false narratives. The lack of credible evidence has not deterred proponents, suggesting a long-term strategy to delegitimize electoral outcomes.
