'Cry more!' MSNBC's Rachel Maddow trolled following on-air meltdown over 'rise of fascism' after Trump’s Iowa victory

WASHINGTON, DC: In a spirited segment on Monday, January 15, MSNBC host Rachel Maddow delved into the dynamics behind former President Donald Trump's decisive victory in the Iowa caucuses, attributing it to a "radicalized" Republican primary electorate.

Trump's triumphant return to the political stage garnered 51.03% of the vote, with Republican heavyweights Gov Ron DeSantis and former Ambassador Nikki Haley in a tight contest for second place, separated by less than 2,300 votes.

Concerns of authoritarianism and fascism

Maddow, joined by a panel that included MSNBC hosts Jen Psaki, Joy Reid, Chris Hayes, and Lawrence O'Donnell, expressed profound concerns about the potential rise of authoritarianism and fascism in the United States.

She argued that the electorate's desires played a pivotal role, stating, “If we are worried about the rise of authoritarianism in this country, if we are worried about the rise of the potential rise of fascism in this country, if we are worried about our democracy falling into an authoritarian and potentially fascist form of government, the leader who is trying to do that is part of that equation, but people wanting that is a much bigger part of that equation and the American electorate is made up of two major parties."

The MSNBC host went on to assert that one of the major parties, specifically the Republicans, has been flirting with extremism on the ultra-right for an extended period.

“One of those parties has been flirting with extremism on the ultra-right for a very long time,” Maddow continued. “They’ve brought them in in a way that they haven’t been central to Republican electoral politics ever before. Once you have radicalized one major party so that those are the preferences of the people who adhere to your party, the leader’s interchangeable. Trump is a miss sometimes, what we call it, MAGA movement is probably a better way to do it.”

Highlighting actions taken by Democrats against Trump, Maddow referenced Democratic Secretary of State Shenna Bellows of Maine disqualifying Trump on December 28 based on the 14th Amendment's "insurrection" clause.

Additionally, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled on Dec 19 that Trump was disqualified from the 2024 election, with the Supreme Court scheduled to hear the case on Feb 8.

“There is an authoritarian movement inside Republican politics that isn’t being bamboozled by Trump, they are pushing Trump to get more and more extreme because the more extreme things he says, the more they adhere, and that is coming from a very large proportion of the American right that appears to the Republican Party,” Maddow insisted. “That’s why this is a Republican Party problem more than it is the problem of one man.”

On the same broadcast, Maddow took aim at Republicans, questioning the party's decision to potentially nominate Trump despite a poll indicating that 63% of surveyed Iowa Republicans considered him fit to be president even if convicted.

“They’re going to nominate him nationwide?” she asked. “When even a third of Iowa caucus-goers say, ‘No, he can’t be president if he’s convicted’?”

“I’m sorry,” Maddow stated, before whispering, “But he’s gonna be convicted.”

Her skepticism prompted laughter from the panel. Ari Melber chimed in, pointing out the "overwhelming evidence" against Trump in ongoing criminal cases, but conceded he couldn’t “say what’s going to happen” in them.

“I can,” Maddow answered, admitting she’s “not a lawyer” and whispering again, “He’s gonna be convicted.”

“Stage whispering!” Melber quipped.

Social media responds with barbs

However, Maddow was trolled on social media following her on-air meltdown over Trump's victory.

"Maddow is in denial. Cry more!" one posted on X (formerly Twitter).

"Maddow is a total [clown] who’s projecting like usual. She’s on the edge of crying here. The poor thing," another wrote.

"Whatever side people like Rachel Maddow are on, be on the opposite. That's how you know you're on the right side of history," someone else reacted.

"These people are exactly what they accuse others to be! Just turn this propaganda off!" another chimed in.

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