Not adjucated rapist and serial fraudster Donald Trump, but Republicans–and I don’t mean the small minority of ‘Never Trumpers’, but actual Republicans? In light of former Republican National Committee Ronna McDaniel’s hiring and unhiring by NBC, Josh Marshall gets at a key point (boldface mine):

The issue with Ronna X is that these journalists are saying that she’s not just a conservative, not just a Republican and thus able to represent the views of one of the two major political factions in the United States. Because of her consistent espousal of the Big Lie and at least soft defense of January 6th, she’s actually outside the bounds of legitimate democratic political discourse. To the extent she was just lying or doing what she was told when she did those things it’s almost as bad and she lacks any credibility. But that’s not really relevant to the business needs and goals of the parent company. Because one of the two major political factions of the country supports election denial and, at least to an extent, the January 6th insurrection itself. So one of those two factions is itself outside the bounds of legitimate democratic political discourse. But that’s an impossible position for the owners of NBC and the executives who run it. My point isn’t to justify anything. I’m just noting that the two things are basically irreconcilable.

That’s not hyperbole either (boldface mine):

Those seeking employment at the Republican National Committee after a Trump-backed purge of the committee this month have been asked in job interviews if they believe the 2020 election was stolen, according to people familiar with the interviews, making the false claim a litmus test of sorts for hiring.

In recent days, Trump advisers have quizzed multiple employees who had worked in key 2024 states about their views on the last presidential election, according to people who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private interviews and discussions. The interviews have been conducted mostly virtually, as the prospective future employees are based in key swing states.

“Was the 2020 election stolen?” one prospective employee recalled being asked in a room with two top Trump advisers…

“But if you say the election wasn’t stolen, do you really think you’re going to get hired?” one former RNC employee asked.

And it’s not just limited to elected officials. I would argue that at least two Supreme Court justices, possibly more, believe that electoral fraud occurred and that Trump is the rightful president.

But as Marshall notes, there’s no way for most institutional media to reflect the widespread belief, not just among voters, but among officials (party and political), in the Big Lie accurately, given their business model. I’ve never even seen a columnist, other than Jamelle Bouie on Bluesky, ask how many Supreme Court judges think the election was stolen–like I said, it’s likely a number larger than one (Thomas).

Democrats really need to win in 2024 to stop the Big Lie.