ABC Station’s Error Sparks Conspiracy Theories From Trump Supporters

Donald Trump supporters raced to conclusions when election results appeared onscreen during a Formula 1 race on an ABC affiliate in Pennsylvania Sunday.
Of course, the election hasn’t happened yet, but that did not stop an online outcry when Scranton-based WNEP showed a graphic of Trump losing to Kamala Harris by 5% in Pennsylvania with all precincts reporting.
WNEP Scranton PA already has the election results posted. @elonmusk @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/eWR1oABWbK
The station said on its website that those were random test results that accidentally aired.
“Those numbers should not have appeared on the screen, and it was an error by WNEP that they did,” it wrote. “The numbers seen on the screen were randomly generated test results sent out to help news organizations make sure their equipment is working properly in advance of election night.”
That the goof happened in a hotly contested state perhaps revved up the baseless suspicions. Not to mention that Trump and right-wing media have preemptively sown doubt about the election after falsely crying foul in 2020.
“The cheat is in,” one person wrote on X.
Here are a few other over-the-top reactions:
Hey @WNEP!! Is the fix in already? Are you getting ready to help the left steal this thing again? @elonmusk @realDonaldTrump @TrumpWarRoom @RNCVoteProtect
I just tore up my ballot, it’s just not even worth showing up
Legacy media is the enemy within.
You’ve just got to be fucking joking with this shit. They can’t even hide it anymore.
Other news outlets have retreated behind paywalls. At HuffPost, we believe journalism should be free for everyone.
Would you help us provide essential information to our readers during this critical time? We can’t do it without you.
Can’t afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
You’ve supported HuffPost before, and we’ll be honest — we could use your help again. We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can’t do it without you.
Whether you give once or many more times, we appreciate your contribution to keeping our journalism free for all.
You’ve supported HuffPost before, and we’ll be honest — we could use your help again. We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can’t do it without you.
Whether you give just one more time or sign up again to contribute regularly, we appreciate you playing a part in keeping our journalism free for all.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
Someone always “mistakenly” does this and don’t worry, it’s just a “glitch.”
Um @ChairmanWhatley @LaraLeaTrump @ScottPresler what is going on!?