David M Jackson

USA TODAY

After months of claims that the political system is "rigged," Donald Trump now fears his contest against Hillary Clinton will be "rigged" against him.

"I’m afraid the election is going to be rigged, to be honest," Trump told supporters in Columbus, Ohio.

Asked later by Fox News host Sean Hannity to explain the remark, Trump said "I've been hearing about it for a long time," and he suggested voter fraud by saying that four years ago, "you had precincts where there were practically nobody voting for the Republican."

He added, "I hope the Republicans get out there and watch very closely" during Election Day.

Donald Trump boasts of big July fundraising haul

Commentators said Trump — who has accused the Democrats of fixing their primary process to benefit Clinton over Bernie Sanders — is getting in some early excuse-making in case he loses in November; some way he may be trying to de-legitimize the results.

Clinton campaign spokesman Brian Fallon said on Twitter: "Even for a reflexive conspiracy theorist like Trump, this is pathetic. It's dangerous, too."