WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump attacked Sen. Lisa Murkowski on Saturday, calling her a “disgrace” to Alaska and denouncing the state’s ranked‑choice voting (RCV) system as “unconstitutional” and “anti‑American,” in a post that quickly spread across his social‑media platforms.

In a video posted to his Truth Social account, Trump said, “The Republicans’ worst senator, by far, Lisa Murkowski, of the Great State of Alaska—a state for which I produced, on a continuing basis, billions and billions of dollars—has turned her back on the American people.” He added that the RCV law, approved by voters in 2020, “is a disaster for democracy.”

Murkowski, a moderate Republican who has won three statewide elections, defended the voting method, noting that it saved Alaska $1.3 million in recount costs after the 2022 Senate race, which saw a 2.4 percent margin of victory. Ranked‑choice voting, used in Alaska’s 2020 primary and 2022 general elections, allows voters to rank up to three candidates, with the lowest‑vote earner eliminated and their votes redistributed.

Alaska’s Secretary of State, Bill Walker, called Trump’s remarks “misinformed” and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to the RCV system, which received 54 percent support in the 2020 referendum. National GOP leaders urged calm, while analysts at Bloomberg noted that continued political turbulence could affect the state’s $30 billion oil and gas sector, which already faces heightened scrutiny from ESG‑focused investors.

Wall Street’s energy indices slipped 0.6 percent on Monday after the comments, and several hedge funds warned that any federal challenge to Alaska’s voting law could trigger legal costs exceeding $10 million for state campaigns. Investors are also watching potential congressional hearings, where the Federal Election Commission may examine whether RCV complies with the Help America Vote Act.

Key Takeaways

• Trump’s criticism targets Murkowski’s support for ranked‑choice voting and claims of his own economic contribution to Alaska.
• Ranked‑choice voting saved Alaska $1.3 million in recount expenses and retains 54 percent voter approval.
• The dispute has already nudged energy‑sector stocks lower and could raise legal and compliance costs for state and federal campaigns.

As Alaska prepares for the 2024 Senate race,