I find Lynne's response to be superficial and divisive. This isn't just politics ("hostile treatment toward those who oppose their beliefs"). The coworkers decided that they don't want to socialize with someone who voted for a childish, racist, misogynistic man. The writer is correct that she is "still the same person." The coworkers now know what she is really like. They have every right to choose the coworkers with whom they socialize.  Would Lynne deny them the right to choose their friends based on their core beliefs?  But it's ok to not to befriend someone you find boring or who monopolizes conversations? I get along very well at work with people who have political, religious and cultural beliefs that are the polar opposite of mine. Yet I would not consider socializing with some of them outside of work settings - people whose beliefs I find repugnant.