Rounds dismisses Trump criticism for saying he lost election

January 11, 2022

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota says he stands by his statement that former President Donald Trump lost the 2020 election, after Trump called Rounds a “jerk” for his comments.

Rounds said he was “disappointed but not surprised” by Trump’s attack. The senator said his remarks Sunday on ABC’s “This Week” show weren’t new information.

He said there was “no evidence of widespread fraud that would have altered the results of the election,” and that Republicans should focus on winning elections.

Trump said Rounds only spoke out because he just won reelection in 2020 “and those are the only ones, the weak, who will break away.”

Senator Rounds full statement can be read below:

“I’m disappointed but not surprised by the former president’s reaction. However, the facts remain the same. I stand by my statement. The former president lost the 2020 election.

“This isn’t new information. If we’re being honest, there was no evidence of widespread fraud that would have altered the results of the election. To that point, nearly all of my Senate Republican colleagues acknowledged this last January. During the electoral certification process, we did our due diligence and looked at the challenges made by the former president’s lawyers. Over 90 senators agreed that there was not enough evidence to overturn the results and, therefore, certified the election as our Constitution calls for.

“Additionally, Vice President Mike Pence stood his ground, acknowledged President Biden’s victory and acted with integrity. It’s time the rest of us do the same.

“If you look at the challenges our nation faces today – whether it be inflation, the border crisis or Afghanistan – it’s clear that we are in desperate need of responsible, conservative, disciplined leadership in the White House.

“As a Republican Party, our focus should be on what lies ahead, not what’s in the past. Elections are about growing support for your party, not further dividing it. Attacking Republicans certainly isn’t going to result in a winning formula. Neither is telling citizens not to vote. If we are going to win in 2022 and 2024, we have to move forward together.”