The Big Lie and Its Aftermath

Abstract

The president of the United States, defeated in his bid for re-election, lashed out at his detractors, refused to concede, refused to congratulate his successor, and tried to use the power and authority of the White House to threaten, plead, even beg for state election results to be overturned. Conservative television and social media and state and national Republican lawmakers stood behind Trump or, even worse, lacked the courage to speak out against the blanket of false accusations. Quickly, it became known as the “Big Lie.” It nearly succeeded but was stopped only by the courage of state and local election officials and federal and state judges. An unprecedented attack on the Capitol building by Trump stalwarts showed the world the level of disruption and disbelief stirred up by the president. Still, a year after the election, Donald Trump has doubled down, insisting that the election was stolen.