The White House has defended President Donald Trump's decision to vote by mail in Florida, rejecting accusations that he is being hypocritical after repeatedly questioning the integrity of mail-in ballots.
A White House statement said Trump, a registered Florida voter, was following the state's absentee voting rules, which allow any registered voter to request a mail-in ballot without providing a reason.
The president has long claimed that mail-in voting leads to widespread fraud, a charge that has been disputed by election officials and experts. However, the White House argued that there is a difference between absentee voting, which Trump used, and universal mail-in voting, which involves sending ballots unsolicited to all registered voters.
Officials said Trump's criticism has always targeted the latter practice, and that his personal choice to vote by mail does not contradict his stance on election security. They added that the president was simply exercising his legal rights as a Floridian.
Trump, who officially changed his residence from New York to Florida in 2019, has voted by mail in the state before, including in Florida's primary election. His critics say his decision this year underscores the convenience of a method he has frequently attacked.
The White House dismissed the criticism as politically motivated, insisting that Trump's vote was a personal matter and that he remains a strong advocate for secure elections.