Trump supporters do seem to differ from my view of a 'traditional republican'; if not the actions of the namesake (which I do view as the negative things you describe) what do they see in the candidate or platform being supported?
Since you did not specify what you consider a "traditional republican" to be, I'll tell you why I voted for Donald Trump: 1) No new wars started, despite media outcry in 2016 that he'd take us into WWIII; 2) Historic peace deals between Israel and its neighbors - again, in spite of accusations that Jerrod Kushner did not have any diplomatic skills and would botch anything he touched; 3) Strong federalist approach to COVID - while the media and Democrats decry Trump's approach to COVID, I appreciated his willingness to make Federal resources available to the states that requested them rather than force them onto unwilling governors; 4) His respect and support for the military - not always a favorable viewpoint for non-Americans, or even more liberal Americans, but I think has been a mainstay of Republicans for a while; 5) His support for law and order - we have to be a nation of laws and the riots and looting (not protests) that were a feature across the nation this summer that were supported by mayors, governors, and Democratic Representatives and Senators was saddening to watch; 6) His understanding that the response to COVID should not be worse than the disease itself and that the economy should be allowed to continue to operate, we cannot go into a permanent lockdown status and thrive as a country; 7) The economic growth we had pre-COVID was great as well as the economic opportunities for minorities and women.
What policies did Trump enact which you think animated the support that Trump received?
Thank you for your reply and sharing your point of view.
Answering your question: I didn't have any theory relating Trump's actual policy implementation accomplishments to support. Rather _my opinion_ is still a _belief_ that most who support the 45th president as a candidate do so based on blind charisma and an extra sweet helping of wishful thinking.
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