In their usual state of fear-mongering panic, members of the liberal media on MSNBC made wild speculations Friday night about the future of Russian interference in U.S. elections. Joy Reid, filling in for host Lawrence O’Donnell, was joined by guests Evan McMullin, co-founder of Stand Up Republic and The Daily Beast columnist Michael Weiss.

McMullin entered the discussion, stating: “Michael is pointing out something that's also very important about what will happen if there is hacking again, and there certainly will be in 2020. I don't believe that we can say anymore, and it's uncomfortable, that we had a free and fair election in 2016 in America. Think about that. The gravity of that.” He continued to explain the “gravity” of the situation: “…we are facing a situation in our country where our elections no longer will have popular legitimacy. And in that scenario, we lose control and we are not -- we are no longer free. That's what's on the verge of happening.”

Of course, he assured, this is all part of Trump’s plan: “That would make Donald Trump very happy if all of a sudden everything was just inconclusive. You know, that happens elsewhere in the world where foreign adversaries to democracy or domestic enemies of democracy try to dismantle it.”

To really envision just how much peril U.S. democracy is in, Reid prompted: “And just to build on that a little bit, Michael, what are some of the other worst-case scenarios?” She then listed off the most terrifying nightmare a liberal could imagine: “…the idea that Donald Trump suddenly wins Vermont and the Vermont government is saying hold on a second, Donald Trump can't win Vermont and that's what people think and they can't certify.”

Weiss responded with something slightly less terrifying: “One worst-case scenario which was war gamed by the United States is what if they go in and you, Joy Reid, they find your home address and change the home address, wherever you're registered to vote, I assume New York. You turn up to the voting booth, your polling place with the wrong address.” He went on: “…this is going cause chaos, it’s going to cause a crisis.” He then proceeded down the rabbit hole speculating: “Because it’s not just the Russians that are going to start futzing with American democracy.”

But of course, Reid concluded the conversation by predicting political doom for the President: “Yeah—or the question of Donald Trump’s legitimacy will become even bleaker after an election that people were wonder whether it was free and fair. So for himself, he might want to get on board with protecting his country.”

Here is the transcript for the July 26 episode of The Last Word: