The hyperbole is based on history with similar events.
Being from 70's generation, with family that had to their encounters with PIDE/DGS, and took part on the liberation forces, I see the supposed hyperbole with different eyes.
Hopefully I am wrong.
The MAGAs are creating a lot of institutional rot at state and local level offices where they are out of the limelight and can continue doing damage after the felon is gone. It is impossible for a rational Republican to get on the ballot because they have to face primaries against the shameless narcissists who've been shown how to con their gullible members.
I really don't think it's all that different from Republicans in the past (particularly the two I named), both in the way they were perceived and received, and what they actually did. Felon and showman, wrecking government institutions, subverting democracy, etc etc.
When in doubt, bet on the status quo. When the status quo falters, bet on a return to the status quo.
The hyperbole about 2024 being the last election in American history will seem silly in retrospect to most, but those who really believe it now will for the most part never admit they got swept up in hysteria and will instead pat themselves on the backs and credit themselves for America narrowly avoiding disaster. A generation or two later, young people will just roll their eyes when their parents talk about any of it, one way or the other, like millennials did when their parents rambled on about Reagan or Nixon.