Donald Trump’s election fraud lies are wearing thin on Republicans – The Arizona Republic

Opinion: Former enablers on Fox and in Congress are dressing him down although, naturally, that doesn't stop him.

Donald Trump cant seem to quit spreading lies about election fraud.

Then again, I dont believe he wants to.

He couldnt wait to jump on a report issued by the Department of Homeland Security that said in part that the widespread online proliferation of false or misleading narratives regarding unsubstantiated widespread election fraud is contributing to the current heightened threat environment.

Meaning, domestic terrorism.

So, what did Trump do?

He issued a statement filled with false or misleading narratives regarding unsubstantiated widespread election fraud.

But, something has changed.

Trumps ongoing delusional rant is wearing thin … on Republicans.

His latest diatribe, instigated by the DHS advisory, involved debunked conspiracy theories from several states, including Arizona.

But now, instead of hearing criticism from longtime critics who have exposed the fantasy of his rants, Trump is hearing it from former loyal supporters.

For instance, Fox News host Brian Kilmeade, one of the early morning hosts of Fox & Friends, who for years has catered to Trump and his delusions.

On his radio show recently, however, Kilmeade said of Trump, Nobody cares about 2020. Nobody. And everything that he said and the challenges that he made should have been done before the election. And they did a recount in Arizona, and the recount showed no difference almost, and he came out and said it showed that they won Arizona. Thats an outright lie, and please stop wasting our time with that, because hes capable of doing so much more.

McConnell breaks with Trump, RNC on 'violent insurrection' of Jan. 6

Sen. McConnell questioned the leadership of the RNC and resent decisions to censure members of the party.

Associated Press, USA TODAY

Then theres his former biggest enabler in Congress, Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell, the minority leader, who actually called the Jan. 6 insurrection exactly what it was an insurrection.

McConnell said, We all were here. We saw what happened. It was a violent insurrection for the purpose of trying to prevent the peaceful transfer of power after a legitimately certified election from one administration to the next. Thats what it was.

Did you catch that?

Insurrection.

Legitimately certified election.

Ouch.

McConnell also dressed down the Republican National Committee for censuring Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger for putting country over party and serving on the House select committee investigating the insurrection. He said the RNCshould not be singling out members of our party who may have different views from the majority.

Naturally, Trump issued a statement attacking McConnell.

Even former Vice President Mike Pence has spoken out, dressing-down (with his Pence-like gentility) the former president for suggesting that Pence could have single-handedly overturned the election results.

President Trump is wrong, Pence said.

Adding, There is almost no idea more un-American than the notion that any one person could choose the American president."

Pence may believe that.

And thats what it says in the Constitution. But there is someone who believes that one person could choose the American president:

Pences old boss.

Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com.

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Donald Trump's election fraud lies are wearing thin on Republicans - The Arizona Republic