I share your concerns and criticisms of applying 'traditional journalism' standards to extremist rhetoric. There is another journalism tradition though that also needs to apply: holding those making such extremist horse hockey statements accountable. Let me add another perspective on the dilemma facing journalists.

This is from David Frum writing on the Bulwark Podcast. "you can warn your friend that he is being connected, and he will get angry at you. And when the whole thing comes crashing down and he loses his money, and he can longer deny that you were right, he will never forgive you. He will forgive the crook, but he will not forgive the people who warned him about the crook. The crook just took his money. But you made him feel dumb."