US election 2020: Trump loyalist tells President to ‘put up or shut up’ on vote fraud claims

One of Donald Trump’s staunchest supporters has turned on him, telling him to “show evidence” for his claims of election fraud.

One of Donald Trump’s staunchest supporters has turned on the President, calling for him to show evidence of widespread election fraud.

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has joined a number of prominent Republicans who have moved to distance themselves from Mr Trump’s “dangerous” claims of vote counting fraud and threats of legal action.

In what is being described as a “put up or shut up” message to his close friend Mr Trump, Republican presidential adviser Christie appeared on a US ABC News hosted by former Bill Clinton Adviser, George Stephanopoulous, on Thursday night.

“If you’re going to say those things from behind the podium at the White House — it’s his right to do it, it’s his right to pursue legal action — but show us the evidence,” Mr Christie said.

Referring to Mr Trump’s assertion that he had “so much proof’’ of ballot fraud favouring Democratic foe Joe Biden, Mr Christie said: “We’ve heard nothing today about any evidence.

“I want to know what backs up what [Mr Trump] said.

“As a prosecutor, that’s like asking me to indict someone without showing me any evidence.’’

It comes after another extraordinary speech from Donald Trump as the world awaits the results of the US election.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to be on the ballot a number of times myself. I’ve won, I’ve lost,” Mr Christie said. “And so, as a candidate, you’re even more invested in the integrity of the system.

“If this stuff is going on that the President is talking about, all of us want it ferreted out because it would undercut everything that we believe in our system.

“If he’s right, I’d be outraged — and so would you.”

Mr Christie said when the President made claims without backing them up, “all it does is inflame without informing.’’

First prominent adviser to break with POTUS —> @GovChristie tells Trump to stop inflaming and show evidence of "stolen" election https://t.co/ifVRnJaqdm

— Jonathan Swan (@jonathanvswan) November 6, 2020

.@GovChristie on ABC tonight with a strong rebuke of Trump's rhetoric:

"If you're gonna say those things from behind the podium at the White House... show us the evidence. We heard nothing today about any evidence... This kind of thing, all it does is inflame without informing"

— Alayna Treene (@alaynatreene) November 6, 2020

Mr Christie and other senior Republicans were responding to Trump’s declaration on Thursday alleging widespread voter fraud.

Speaking from the White House for the first time since election night, the President falsely declared that Joe Biden and the Democratic Party were trying “to steal the election from us”.

“We were winning in all the key locations by a lot, actually, and then our numbers started miraculously getting whittled away, in secrecy,” he said, adding there’ll be “a lot of litigation”.

“We will see. But we think there will be a lot of litigation because we cannot have an election stolen like this and I tell you, I have been talking about this for many months with all of you. I have said very strongly that mail-in ballots are going to be a disaster. We are hearing absolute horror stories and we cannot let that happen to the United States of America.”

The speech has been denounced as “unacceptable” by both current and former members of the Republican party, including former senator Jeff Flake.

“No Republican should be okay with the President’s statements just now,” he wrote on Twitter.

“Unacceptable. Period.”

RELATED: Follow our live coverage of the US election

Every legal vote should and will be counted - as they always are. Where there are issues there are ways to address them. If anyone has proof of wrongdoing, it should be presented and resolved. Anything less harms the integrity of our elections and is dangerous for our democracy.

— Rep. Paul Mitchell (@RepPaulMitchell) November 6, 2020

There is no defense for the President’s comments tonight undermining our Democratic process. America is counting the votes, and we must respect the results as we always have before. No election or person is more important than our Democracy. https://t.co/BOO2iaTsEf

— Larry Hogan (@LarryHogan) November 6, 2020

We want every vote counted, yes every legal vote (of course). But, if you have legit concerns about fraud present EVIDENCE and take it to court. STOP Spreading debunked misinformation... This is getting insane.

— Adam Kinzinger (@RepKinzinger) November 6, 2020

Like @RepKinzinger I took an oath to defend this country and fight for the democratic ideals it stands for. Count every vote, yes, but stop the Bravo Sierra, Mr. President, and respect the democratic process that makes America great. https://t.co/r3nOyuCToj

— Congressman Denver Riggleman (@RepRiggleman) November 6, 2020

“There is no defence for the President’s comments tonight undermining our Democratic process,” Governor of Maryland and Republican party member Larry Hogan tweeted.

“America is counting the votes, and we must respect the results as we always have before. No election or person is more important than our Democracy.”

Speaking to CNN after Mr Trump’s speech, former Republican senator Rick Santorum said that “no Republican elected official is going to stand behind that statement”.

“None of them are. Much of that statement was not factual and was at times incendiary, and not something the President of the United States should say, or any elected official should say,” he told the network.

“How can you say we have to wait and count the votes in Arizona, but if you count the votes in Philadelphia, you’re stealing them?

“The reality is, in Pennsylvania, Democrats voted by mail and Republicans voted in person. Because you asked them to.

“For the President to go out and claim (fraud) without any evidence of that is dangerous.

“To suggest that counting votes, by clerks all over 67 counties, was somehow rigged, no! Democrats voted by mail, that’s why your lead went away! If they had voted in person, you’d be in the same position right now.

“I’m hopeful that Republicans will stand up at this moment and say what needs to be said about the integrity of our election.”

RELATED: ‘Go to total war’: Donald Trump Jr explodes

Republican politicians are distancing themselves from US President Donald Trump after another speech filled with “dangerous” claims. Picture: Brendan Smialowski/AFP

Former Republican senator and presidential candidate Rick Santorum said “no Republican elected official is going to stand behind” Mr Trump’s claims.

Members of Mr Trump’s team – and family – meanwhile are, unsurprisingly, standing by his inaccurate claims.

“I Stand With President @realDonaldTrump,” Vice President Mike Pence wrote on Twitter.

“We must count every LEGAL vote.”

In Georgia, another key battleground state where Mr Trump’s lead is shrinking, CEO of DeKalb County, Vernon Jones, told the crowd: “We are not going to stand for it, we are not going to back down. We are going to fight. This is a battle cry.”

“I just want to say to the press, we ain’t bullsh*tting,” he said.