Follow-Up: Landing in Fort Myers, Trump Says He Ordered the DOJ Lawsuit Over Alaska's Senate Race: "I'm the One That Said Do It"
Fort Myers — President Donald Trump landed aboard Air Force One at Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers, Florida, on October 23 and spoke briefly to reporters on the tarmac alongside Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who had come to greet him. Asked about the U.S. Department of Justice's lawsuit over Alaska's election, Trump said he had personally ordered it: "I'm the one that said do it."
The Justice Department filed the suit on October 22, asking Alaska's Division of Elections to set aside the results of the state's U.S. Senate race if anyone other than incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan wins. The suit claims voters could be confused by another Republican candidate on the ballot named Daniel J. Sullivan, and that mistaken votes for him would undermine the election's integrity. It is the Trump administration's first direct legal challenge to a state's election certification process in the 2026 midterms, and GSM reported it earlier on October 23.
Trump showed detailed knowledge of the same-name contest on the tarmac. "They have two guys named Dan Sullivan running," he said, claiming that Democrats had "put up" Daniel J. Sullivan as a candidate. "I don't think he ever voted before," Trump continued. "All of the sudden he decides to run for the Senate. And his name is Dan Sullivan — one is Daniel S. One is Daniel J." DeSantis interjected, "I know!" and laughed.
According to the Associated Press, Daniel J. Sullivan is from Petersburg, a tiny fishing community in southeast Alaska, and has said he decided to run on his own; Republicans have contended he is a Democratic plant meant to siphon votes from the incumbent. Alaska's Division of Elections removed the second Sullivan from the ballot earlier this year, saying his candidacy aimed to confuse voters, but the Alaska Supreme Court ordered him restored to the ballot over the summer. Early voting in the state began earlier this week. Sen. Dan Sullivan's Democratic opponent is former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola.
According to Democracy Docket, on the same day the Justice Department filed the suit, Attorney General Todd Blanche downplayed concerns that the department would sue states to block certification, suggesting that would happen only under a "doomsday scenario."
DeSantis also addressed the midterm outlook as he welcomed the president. "If people come out, if our people vote, I think we'll win, not just in Florida, but some of these other Senate races that are close," he said, adding that "no one does it better" than Trump at energizing voters. Trump responded: "If they vote, we're going to win big."
Trump then traveled to Alico Arena at Florida Gulf Coast University, where he addressed a midterm campaign rally. The White House's official YouTube channel has published the official video of the tarmac exchange with reporters.
Related: DOJ Sues Alaska: Asks Court to Hold Senate Result Certification if Incumbent Loses
Source: GSM·America
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：特朗普10月23日抵达佛罗里达州 Fort Myers 的 Southwest Florida International Airport 后，在空军一号前向记者发表讲话，佛罗里达州州长 Ron DeSantis 在侧。白宫官方 YouTube 视频画面，公共领域。 / President Trump speaks to reporters in front of Air Force One after arriving at Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers, Florida, on October 23, 2026, with Gov. Ron DeSantis beside him. Frame from the official White House YouTube video, public domain.
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