January 6 hearing: Harrowing unseen footage released of Capitol riot

It became known as the ‘Big Lie’: the notion, formulated inside Donald Trump’s head that he had in fact won the election.

He clung to it even though his own attorney general, daughter, son-in-law and chief of staff as well as all the evidence spelled out he was wrong.

And yet such was the power of Trump that his lie helped to mobilise a mob that came close to overturning American democracy.

Meanwhile millions of Americans and the vast majority of Republicans in Congress continue to indulge in Trump’s fantasy, dismiss the televised hearings as distraction and seem to be preparing for a challenge, should they lose again.

Warning: This report contains distressing images and strong language