LIVE COVERAGEUpdated 6 minutes ago
Live updates: Trump casts doubt on U.S. elections; U.S. targets Iranian bridges and infrastructure
The U.S. strikes are aimed at intensifying pressure on Iran to give up control of the Strait of Hormuz
How Trump’s election allegations against China could impact relations with U.S.
01:25
Add NBC News to Google
Updated July 17, 2026, 8:07 AM EDT
By NBC News
What to know today
- TRUMP SPEECH: In <a href="http://during%20a%20White%20House%20address%20last%20night” rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank”>a speech last night, President Donald Trump alleged despite a vast amount of contrary evidence that American election systems are vulnerable and can be compromised. The president again pushed for passage legislation that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and voter ID at the polls, although the measure does not have enough support to advance.
- IRAN STRIKES:The United States attacked bridges and other key infrastructure in southern Iran overnight into today, capping nearly a week of strikes aimed at intensifying pressure on Tehran to give up control of the Strait of Hormuz.
- MAINE SENATE RACE:Democrats running for Senate in Maine battled over the progressive lane in last night’s debate, the first since Graham Platner ended his campaign and sparked a rush to replace him on the ballot.
- EPSTEIN FILES:Trump’s nominee for attorney general, Todd Blanche, met with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse yesterday afternoon — a meeting that the survivors and Blanche described in opposite terms.
6m ago / 8:07 AM EDT
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer rebuts Trump’s elections speech
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer rebutted Trump’s allegations about voter fraud in Michigan in his speech on election security last night, arguing that any suggestion that her state’s elections are “not safe and secure” is “designed to undermine our voters’ basic rights.”
In a statement, Whitmer said that the state’s voting systems have for decades been “rigorously tested, certified, and subject to strict standards before they are ever used in an election.”
Whitmer, a Democrat and possible 2028 presidential contender, noted that the results of the 2020 presidential election have been reviewed and confirmed as accurate
“Conspiracy theories about the 2020 elections must come to an end,” she said in her statement. “Tonight, President Trump also made claims about Michigan intended to suggest our voting system is somehow rigged. It isn’t, and his claim has been debunked by experts time and time again,” she said
The president alleged without providing evidence that there are “shocking vulnerabilities in our election infrastructure,” claiming that China has illicitly acquired U.S. voter files since 2020, that voting systems are “vulnerable and easily compromised,” and that the FBI found evidence of alleged fraud in Michigan, among other things
Trump sought to overturn Joe Biden’s election win in Michigan six years ago, including by pressuring Republican canvassers not to certify the election
2h ago / 7:04 AM EDT
Epstein survivor describes Todd Blanche meeting as ‘emotional’ and ‘not productive’
Trump’s nominee for attorney general, Todd Blanche, met with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse yesterday afternoon, in a meeting that the survivors and Blanche described in opposite terms
Read the full story here
2h ago / 7:04 AM EDT
U.S. strikes bridges around key port in Iran, expanding campaign in battle over Hormuz
The United States attacked bridges and other key infrastructure in southern Iran overnight into today, capping nearly a week of strikes aimed at intensifying pressure on Tehran to give up control of the Strait of Hormuz
The latest expansion of this campaign appeared targeted at cutting off the main port city of Bandar Abbas from the heart of the Islamic Republic. Tehran hit back with new attacks on U.S. allies in the Middle East, including a first direct attack on Syria
The collapse of the ceasefire and interim agreement has led to days of strikes and counterstrikes across the region, with traffic in the crucial waterway once again largely halted as the two sides battle over the strait
Read the full story here
Iranian bridges severely damaged after sixth night of U.S. strikes
00:34
2h ago / 7:04 AM EDT
Maine Senate candidates battle for progressive mantle after Graham Platner’s exit
Democrats running for Senate in Maine battled over the progressive lane in their quick-fire nominating process in last night’s debate, the first since Graham Platner ended his campaign and sparked a rush to replace him on the general election ballot
Read the full story here
2h ago / 7:04 AM EDT
ANALYSIS: Trump sows doubt about election integrity four months out from the midterms
President Donald Trump unspooled a multi-pronged conspiracy theory about the 2020 election during a White House address last night, alleging again — despite vast evidence to the contrary — that American election systems are vulnerable and can be compromised
Read the full story here
