Summary: Former special counsel Jack Smith told the House Judiciary Committee that, according to a newly released 255-page transcript, Donald Trump privately acknowledged losing the 2020 election to Joe Biden. Smith quoted Trump saying remarks such as, "Can you believe I lost to this f'ing guy?" and said he viewed those comments as corroborative of his broader investigation. Smith had brought indictments in 2023 over classified documents and alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 result, but dropped the cases after Trump returned to office in 2025 under DOJ policy.
Transcript: Jack Smith Says Trump Told Others He Lost The 2020 Election
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith makes a statement to reporters after a grand jury returned an indictment of former U.S. President Donald Trump in the special counsel's investigation of efforts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, at Smith's offices in Washington, U.S. August 1, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Wurm/File Photo
By Kanishka Singh
WASHINGTON, Dec 31 (Reuters) — Former special counsel Jack Smith told investigators that President Donald Trump privately acknowledged to others that he lost the 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden, according to a 255-page transcript of Smith's mid-December testimony released by the U.S. House Judiciary Committee.
Key Testimony and Context
Smith, who led two high-profile criminal probes that were later dropped, was asked whether Trump ever acknowledged "that he knew that he had actually lost the election." Smith replied, "Yes," and cited multiple remarks he said were made in the presence of others — including, "It doesn't matter if you won or lost the election. You still fight like hell," and, "Can you believe I lost to this f'ing guy?" referring to Joe Biden.
"Can you believe I lost to this f'ing guy?" — As quoted by Jack Smith in his testimony.
Smith told the committee he viewed those comments as corroborative of the broader investigation. His testimony followed months of disclosures and public statements by Trump allies and some Justice Department appointees that sought to discredit the probe as politically motivated.
Probes, Indictments and Their Outcome
In 2023, Smith's team secured indictments accusing Trump of unlawfully retaining classified documents after his first term and of plotting to overturn his 2020 defeat. After Trump won the 2024 election and returned to office in January 2025, Smith dropped both cases, citing Justice Department policy against prosecuting a sitting president.
Smith has maintained that his prosecutors followed DOJ policy and acted without political influence. Trump and his supporters have alleged the investigations were politically motivated. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment outside normal business hours.
Background
Publicly, Trump repeatedly and falsely asserted he had won the 2020 election. Supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, in an attempt to block Congress from certifying the results. After taking office again in 2025, Trump pardoned some individuals charged in connection with the riot.
(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Don Durfee and Neil Fullick)
