Republicans largely refuse to publicly disagree with Donald Trump's lies about voter fraud, but they're privately furious that his threats might ruin their chances of retaking congressional majorities in next year's midterm elections.
Lawmaker after lawmaker refused to dispute his lies on the record when asked by Politico reporters, but off the record some of them remain angry that his false claims cost them the U.S. Senate in a pair of Georgia elections on the eve of the Jan. 6 insurrection.
"Look no further than the two Democrat senators from Georgia," said one senior GOP lawmaker, on the condition of anonymity. "Without Trump depressing the vote there, they would not have gotten elected."
The twice-impeached one-term president alarmed Republicans last month, when he warned that GOP voters would sit out in 2022 and 2024 if his election loss was not overturned, but they publicly indulge his baseless claims.
"I think he's reflecting the view of most of our base that are concerned, because there was election fraud," said Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), the House GOP conference secretary. "There are a lot of Republicans out there worrying about it, so I think he is probably reflecting that accurate belief that we have to shore this stuff up."
Some GOP lawmakers are concerned enough about Trump's remarks that they feel the need to reassure voters that they must show up at the polls.
"When I talk to voters, I am very blunt with them," said Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX). "I say, 'Stop being self-defeating, get out and vote.'"
Politico asked him directly about Trump's recent threats.
"You shouldn't listen to anyone who tells you not to [vote]," he said.
