The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Was the 2020 election stolen? Job interviews at RNC take an unusual turn.

Prospective hires say agreeing with Trump’s false election claim appears to be a new litmus test for being hired by the party

Updated March 27, 2024 at 11:31 a.m. EDT|Published March 26, 2024 at 9:11 p.m. EDT
The Republican National Committee's newly elected chairman, Michael Whatley, and co-chair, Lara Trump, in Houston this month. (Michael Wyke/AP)
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Those seeking employment at the Republican National Committee after a Donald Trump-backed purge of the committee this month have been asked in job interviews if they believe the 2020 election was stolen, according to people familiar with the interviews, making the false claim a litmus test of sorts for hiring.

In recent days, Trump advisers have quizzed multiple employees who had worked in key 2024 states — and who are reapplying for jobs — about their views on the last presidential election, according to people who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private interviews and discussions. The interviews have been conducted mostly virtually, as the applicants are based in key swing states.