Trump’s base is more nuanced, I think. If he starts the rhetoric bashing “big pharma” and “corrupt CEOs” then I think his base will fall in line.

That’s the thing with Trump. His policies don’t actually need to be logically coherent with traditional GOP values.

For example, GOP has historically championed low regulation, low taxes, and free market capitalism. This has been hammered home until it’s become almost an autonomic verbal tic or religious phrase (“inshallah” “god bless our troops”)

But then he comes and he loudly and repeatedly pushes for tariffs - instating large and broad taxes that restrict free market capitalism. And what happens? His base cheers him on for it.

Or for example GOP has historically been supportive of illegal immigrants. Look at Ronald Reagan, another quasi-religious symbol of the GOP. He gave amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants. Legalized them and supported immigration. Why? Because it’s good for free market capitalism.

What about Trump? He goes the other way. Wants to restrict the import of labor as much as possible, hurting free market capitalism.

See what I mean? It doesn’t actually matter what his real policies are. That’s what I find fascinating about him. I think he has the power to take universal healthcare and actually implement it in this country if he wanted to. And that it would cement his legacy permanently.

Which to me, is something a megalomaniac would want