The Agence France-Presse (AFP) is reporting a surge in disinformation surrounding the U.S. Presidential election, mirroring patterns observed during the 2020 election cycle. This comes as scrutiny intensifies over the mechanics of the American electoral process, particularly the role of the Electoral College.
According to AFP’s fact-checking division, false or misleading claims have proliferated on social media, with accusations of fraud taking center stage. These claims, largely amplified by supporters of candidates, echo similar narratives that emerged during the 2020 election, which saw Joe Biden defeat Donald Trump.
The U.S. Presidential election does not operate on a direct popular vote system. Instead, citizens vote for a slate of 538 electors, who are pledged to a particular candidate. These electors then cast the actual votes that determine the president and vice president. This indirect system, established by the Constitution, has been a frequent source of confusion and misinformation, particularly regarding the allocation of electoral votes by state.
The 2020 election, which concluded with Joe Biden securing 306 electoral votes to Donald Trump’s 232, was itself subject to numerous unsubstantiated claims of fraud. AFP’s reporting from November 6, 2024, highlighted a significant spike in false information in the days leading up to the official announcement of the results. The election saw a voter turnout of 158,429,631, representing 66.77% of eligible voters, according to data from the election.
The 2020 election featured debates on September 29, October 7, and October 22. A scheduled debate for October 15 was cancelled. Joe Biden, at 77 years old, and Donald Trump, at 74, were the oldest major-party candidates in U.S. History.
AFP has recently flagged specific instances of disinformation circulating online, including videos falsely purporting to demonstrate electoral irregularities. The agency’s fact-checking team has debunked these claims, emphasizing the importance of verifying information before sharing it.
As of today, March 10, 2026, no official statements have been released regarding any ongoing investigations into potential electoral fraud related to the 2024 election. The Electoral College is scheduled to meet in December 2024 to formally cast their votes.
