Revealing Text Conversations Unveil Extent of Fake Electors Scheme Post-2020 Election

Right-wing attorney Kenneth Chesebro, known for his involvement in the Trump campaign's fake electors scheme, was still discussing ways to overturn the 2020 presidential election even after the US Capitol attack on January 6, 2021. This information was revealed through texts and emails released as part of a lawsuit.

The texts also showed that an attorney representing Donald Trump had reportedly sent a memo to the White House, referring to them as "the real decision makers," outlining the plan to carry out the fake electors scheme nationwide.

The new materials were revealed following a settlement between Chesebro, a Wisconsin resident, and former Trump lawyer Jim Troupis, also from Wisconsin, with the state's real Democratic electors from 2020. These disclosures shed more light on Trump's attempts to retain power, which resulted in indictments for election subversion at both federal and state levels. Chesebro has pleaded guilty in Georgia and has been named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the federal case, as reported by CNN. Trump has denied any wrongdoing.

A collection of emails, text messages, and photos provides further proof that Chesebro advocated for the electors' scheme to proceed regardless of the outcome of Trump's legal challenges to the election results. This contradicts his recent statement to state prosecutors, where he claimed that the fake electors were dependent on winning the litigation.

Photo Illustration by CNN/Getty Images

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Chesebro's attorney chose not to provide a comment, mentioning that Chesebro handled his own legal matters in the civil case. CNN has tried to contact Chesebro for his input.

Chesebro and his legal team continue to assert that his work for the Trump campaign was carried out in good faith, drawing heavily on past instances of contested presidential elections for guidance.

CNN has also contacted Troupis' lawyer for a comment. As mentioned earlier by CNN, Chesebro promoted a more extreme version of the fake electors scheme on a secret Twitter account compared to what he later disclosed in his interview with Michigan investigators.

Chesebro advised Troupis in late 2020 that linking the GOP electors to ongoing litigation was not necessary. He mentioned in an email that sending in alternate votes on Dec. 14 could bring benefits even without any pending lawsuits on Jan. 6.

In the same email on December 8, 2020, Chesebro mentioned that Congress could still seat the pro-Trump electors even if Trump had lost all legal cases and none were pending.

Weeks later, Chesebro protested outside the Capitol and followed conspiracy theorist Alex Jones as Congress certified the election results on January 6, 2021. A recently released photo shows Chesebro taking a selfie near the Capitol with Jones in the background. He also messaged Troupis about smelling tear gas used on the pro-Trump mob.

Despite the chaos of January 6, Chesebro persisted in suggesting to Troupis ways to challenge the election results through unlikely legal actions.

He informed Troupis on January 8, 2021, that recent events have created legal opportunities in certain states to secure favorable rulings for Trump. This information was relayed through a text message.

A memo containing this message was then sent to the White House.

Chesebro wrote a series of memos in 2020 outlining the actions that pro-Trump electors should take in their states. Troupis stated that one of these memos was sent directly to the White House in early December, as revealed in the newly released messages.

On December 7, 2020, Chesebro asked Troupis to send his memo from December 6 to Trump lawyer Justin Clark, emphasizing the importance of messaging that January 6 was the crucial date.

This afternoon, I sent it to the White House. Troupis mentioned that the real decision makers received the memo, although he did not specify who at the White House got it.

Troupis also mentioned that he gave it to Reince, so he could discuss it with the President. Reince Priebus, who is also from Wisconsin, served as Trump's former White House chief of staff.

Priebus, Chesebro, Troupis, and other Wisconsinites met with Trump in the Oval Office a few weeks after the December 6 memo was sent out. Chesebro updated Trump on the fake electors scheme, as reported by CNN in the past.

Chesebro's memo dated December 6, 2020, outlined the strategy to present Republican electors in seven crucial swing states that Trump had not won, including Wisconsin.

The Trump campaign ultimately carried out his plan on December 14, 2020.

CNN’s Katelyn Polantz contributed to this report.

Editor's P/S:

The article reveals a disturbing plot by right-wing attorney Kenneth Chesebro to overturn the 2020 presidential election, even after the violent attack on the US Capitol. Chesebro's involvement in the fake electors scheme is further exposed through texts and emails, showing his relentless efforts to subvert democracy. The fact that he continued to push for the scheme despite the chaos on January 6th is a testament to his unwavering commitment to undermining the integrity of the election.

Chesebro's actions are particularly alarming given his connection to the Trump campaign. The memo he sent to the White House outlining his plan to install fake electors implicates the highest levels of the Trump administration in this scheme. The revelation that the memo was given to Trump lawyer Justin Clark and discussed with former White House chief of staff Reince Priebus raises serious questions about the extent of Trump's involvement in this conspiracy. These disclosures underscore the urgent need for a thorough investigation into the attempts to overturn the election and hold all those responsible accountable.