I still think some percentage of them don't believe much of anything really, and their pro-Trump schtick is just anti-establishmentarianism run amok. But he swept them up... which is my concern about them going forward. Trump didn't really expect to win in 2016 and was not prepared to govern, which of course left his administration open to all manner of mischief attempted by subordinates with their own agendas. Meanwhile his followers of the sort not too attached to reality just ignored all that and took their cues via watching Trump perform on social media and TV.
But now there are a number of Republicans who openly pander to those supporters of Trump. Some seem to be jockeying to become presidential candidates with Trump's blessing... if only they can avoid outing themselves too soon.
An intense spotlight on any of them at this point could fetch a smack upside the head from his majesty emeritus The Don, still imagining in the wake of his adulation at CPAC that his own standing there represents more of the USA sentiment than it does. I certainly don't know how these guys figure they're going to talk Trump into saying "but I've had my turn, now one of you should run..." That's not how narcissists roll.
But some of those potential candidates --like DeSantis-- appear to be a lot savvier about how to initiate and smooth pathways for legislation and policy statements that appeal to authoritarian followers like those still supporting Trump. That bugs me. All one of those guys needs is a nod from Trump and the undying support of folks with the mindset of those who saw the insurrection on January 6th as some sort of holy obligation.... unless the Democrats go all out to help potential voters (the ones the Rs would like to suppress) get registered under any stricter new rules and then help them get to the polls. It's maybe a lot to ask from activists in a party where a lot of them regard Uncle Joe as not their first choice in 2020 and not their hero in office right now either.
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