Episode 1: A premeditated lie lit the fire (Diamond & Silk were at the White House on 11/3?!?)

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Jonathan Swan, Zachary Basu
January 16, 2021

Beginning on election night 2020 and continuing through his final days in office, Donald Trump unraveled and dragged America with him, to the point that his followers sacked the U.S. Capitol with two weeks left in his term. Axios takes you inside the collapse of a president with a special series.

Episode 1: Trump’s refusal to believe the election results was premeditated. He had heard about the “red mirage” — the likelihood that early vote counts would tip more Republican than the final tallies — and he decided to exploit it.

"Jared, you call the Murdochs! Jason, you call Sammon and Hemmer!”

President Trump was almost shouting. He directed his son-in-law and his senior strategist from his private quarters at the White House late on election night. He barked out the names of top Fox News executives and talent he expected to answer to him.

“And anyone else — anyone else who will take the call," he said. “Tell these guys they got to change it, they got it wrong. It’s way too early. Not even CNN is calling it.”

As the clock ticked over into the first minutes of Nov. 4, Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani ranted to top campaign aides: "There's no way he lost; this thing must have been stolen. Just say we won Michigan! Just say we won Georgia! Just say we won the election! He needs to go out and claim victory." Trump’s campaign manager Bill Stepien later told associates: "That was fucking crazy."

For weeks, Trump had been laying the groundwork to declare victory on election night — even if he lost. But the real-time results, punctuated by Fox’s shocking call, upended his plans and began his unraveling.

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https://www.axios.com/trump-election-premeditated-lie-ebaf4a1f-46bf-4c37-ba0d-3ed5536ef537.html

About this series: Our reporting is based on multiple interviews with current and former White House, campaign, government and congressional officials as well as direct eyewitnesses and people close to the president. Sources have been granted anonymity to share sensitive observations or details they would not be formally authorized to disclose. President Trump and other officials to whom quotes and actions have been attributed by others were provided the opportunity to confirm, deny or respond to reporting elements prior to publication.

"Off the rails" is reported by White House reporter Jonathan Swan with reporting and research assistance by Zach Basu. It was edited by Margaret Talev and Mike Allen. Illustrations by Sarah Grillo, Aida Amer and Eniola Odetunde. Our podcast on the series is called "How it happened: Trump's last stand."

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Concrete proof that thing is completely unserious: Diamond & Silk were at the White House residence on Election Night. I
don't know why that shocked me, but it did.

[GusBob]

1. Ima try this ( lame sarcasm)

The Packers of Green Bay will be the clear winners of today's contest
They have the most fans sturdy blue collar patriots while the Rams are from that librul cesspool where that Democrat lady Pelosi lives. Also many illegal foreigners have invaded the state who hate football
The Packers will have scored touchdowns before the game begins and will prevail despite crooked refs who should be locked up and hoax fake plays illegally performed by the cheating Rams. No matter if the scoreboard at says Rams got more points at the end ignore the results and Packer fans should storm the NFL Hall of Fame to overturn the fake corrupt scoreboard results. Or better yet call Fox sports channel and get them to change the results

After all beer and cheese are more American than wine and foils gras

[secondwind]

2. This was a great read.. thanks for posting!!!

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3. I can't wait for the next installment. Swan and Basu are excellent reporters.

[onetexan]

4. We've known this administration has been off the rails even before the Con was sworn in

and we could anticipate that the end would also be off the rails. The chaos, suffering, vulnerabilities, disgrace and shame he's inflicted on the country is immense. ~500K will have died by the time our new president is sworn in.