Trump Misstates Age of Election Denier Tina Peters at Rally
Former President Donald Trump made a notable miscalculation regarding the age of his supporter Tina Peters, a Colorado official currently incarcerated for her involvement in election-related crimes. At a recent rally, Trump, who is 79 years old, mistakenly claimed that Peters, who is 70, is 73. This error occurred during a post on Truth Social, where he characterized her as “elderly” and described her situation as unjust.
Peters is serving a sentence for illegally granting access to her county’s voting system, an act that aimed to undermine the results of the 2020 presidential election. Trump claimed, “God Bless Tina Peters, who is now, for two years out of nine, sitting in a Colorado Maximum Security Prison… for the ‘crime’ of trying to stop the massive voter fraud that goes on in her state.” His post included a vehement attack on Colorado’s Democratic Governor Jared Polis and the district attorney, calling them “Scumbag” and “disgusting.”
Despite Trump’s claims, Peters has been incarcerated at the La Vista Correctional Facility in Pueblo, Colorado, which is primarily a medium-security facility for women. She has been in custody since October 2024 and is not in a maximum-security prison as Trump suggested. Peters’ attorney has not responded to inquiries regarding her health status, though Governor Polis stated on December 16 that she is “perfectly healthy.”
Trump’s comments are not isolated incidents. He has previously referred to Peters as “elderly,” despite her being nearly a decade younger than himself. His statements raise questions about his understanding of the situation, particularly as he has also endorsed the prosecution of former National Security Advisor John Bolton, who is seven years older than Peters.
While Trump continues to rally behind Peters, he appears to be increasingly troubled by scrutiny regarding his mental acuity. Reports from various media outlets, including The New York Times and Daily Beast, have noted instances of his cognitive lapses, raising concerns among his supporters and critics alike.
In the courtroom, Peters displayed no remorse during her sentencing, which was presided over by District Judge Matthew Barrett. The judge took a firm stance, stating, “You’re as defiant a defendant as this court has ever seen,” and criticized her for abusing her position of authority. He emphasized that Peters was not a victim but rather someone who exploited her privilege for personal gain.
In an unexpected twist, Trump issued a pardon for Peters on December 12, 2024; however, this did not lead to her immediate release from prison. Legal experts have pointed out that Trump lacks the authority to pardon non-federal offenses. As of now, Peters remains behind bars, and the legal ramifications of her actions continue to unfold.
The ongoing saga surrounding Peters and Trump’s support highlights the complexities of political alliances and the consequences of actions taken during a contentious electoral period. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how this will impact Trump’s standing among his base and the broader political landscape.
