He was Trump’s boyhood friend. Now he’s pushing Trump to declare a ‘national emergency’ and seize control of the midterms
Peter Ticktin, Once Close to Trump, Now Advocates for National Emergency Over Midterms
He was Trump s boyhood friend - Peter Ticktin, a longtime associate of Donald Trump, has shifted from personal camaraderie to political activism, urging the former president to declare a national emergency and take control of the upcoming midterm elections. Known for his belief in conspiracy theories, Ticktin claims foreign powers manipulated the 2020 election to undermine Trump’s victory, a narrative he has consistently pushed despite a lack of concrete evidence.
A Boyhood Friend Turned Election Denier
Ticktin, 80, is described by him as a “best friend” from his days at the New York Military Academy, where he shared a close bond with Trump. Now based in Florida, he represents a mix of high-profile clients, including a Backstreet Boys member and Meghan Markle’s estranged half-sister. His role in the 2020 election denial movement has made him a key figure among Trump’s allies, with ties to prominent figures like former Colorado clerk Tina Peters and US Capitol rioters.
Ticktin’s influence grew during Trump’s presidency, particularly as the former leader pushed for the SAVE America Act to impose stricter voter ID rules. When Congress stalled on passing the legislation, Ticktin and others advocated for a more drastic measure: an executive order to seize federal control of the midterms by citing alleged foreign interference through electronic voting machines. This action, he argues, would prevent Democrats from securing enough seats to impeach Trump and Vice President JD Vance, enabling House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries to claim the presidency.
“With the evidence we’ve got, and what’s coming out, there’ll be no question about it — and what these machines did,” Ticktin stated. “It’s a surreptitious overtaking of a country.”
Constitutional Crisis or Political Strategy?
State election officials and legal experts warn that Ticktin’s proposal could lead to a constitutional crisis, as the US Constitution assigns election authority to states and Congress, not the president. However, Ticktin remains confident, suggesting that evidence linking foreign nations to election tampering will soon emerge, particularly from the Trump administration’s actions against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
Despite his bold claims, Ticktin’s sources within the Trump administration are unclear. He claims to have regular conversations with the former president and maintains a connection with Justice Department officials. In May, he achieved a notable win when Colorado Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat, commuted the sentence of Peters, a former clerk who was freed from prison after being charged in a case Ticktin represented. Yet, Ticktin’s direct impact on Trump’s policies remains debated, with a White House official noting his influence is overstated.
The Intelligence Assessment: No Technical Election Alteration
A 2021 US intelligence report found that countries such as Russia, China, Iran, and Venezuela attempted to sway the 2020 election, with some efforts supporting Trump and others working against him. However, the assessment concluded that no nation “attempted to alter any technical aspect of the voting process,” including registration, ballot casting, tabulation, or result reporting. Despite this, Ticktin continues to assert that the election was stolen, a claim that has persisted for six years without definitive proof.
Ticktin’s insistence on unproven theories has not deterred his supporters, who see his role as critical to the broader effort to challenge election legitimacy. While he may not hold formal power within the White House, his presence in right-wing media and his connections to key figures suggest he remains a significant, if controversial, voice in the movement. As the midterms approach, his push for presidential action underscores the ongoing divide between state autonomy and executive overreach in the US electoral system.