the media simply covered donnie's outrageously offensive statements, insulting vast swaths of americans, by simply repeating his statements and dropping their jaw, without actually condemning them. labeling them as "controversial" at worst.

whereas, if a democrat has a scandal or a gaffe, they immediately question their judgement and wonder how they can survive or effectively govern, etc.

for republicans, "it's a feature not a bug" in large part because the media rarely really punishes him (or, for that matter, almost any republican) for offensive displays of bigotry or idiocy or incompetence. they have no one really pointing out how horrible his statements and actions are.

Everything about Trump, to republicans, is indeed a feature and not a bug because his administration is not about governing and never was. They voted him in as an act of vengeance against their fellow Americans. They've allowed themselves to be brainwashed by right wing media to the point where opposing viewpoints aren't a sign of loyal opposition but rather an indication of disloyalty to the "real" America. Liberals and centrist Independents are, to them, the enemy.

All of their seemingly senseless actions make sense when seen through that lens. Its why legislative accomplishments aren't necessary for them to see Trump's presidency as a success. We've spent too much time analyzing their motives for supporting Trump when the answer is very simple. They've been conditioned for years to think of the majority of their fellow citizens as the enemy, and why wouldn't you inflict someone like Trump on an enemy?

It explains why republicans/conservatives would support a man so clearly unfit for office. They hate us more than they love their country.

As you say they like Trump because he hates the same people they do.

I'm liking my DU experience, its nice to find some camaraderie with like-minded people. I live on the Red side of a Blue state and am surrounded by conservatives constantly. DU reminds me I am not as isolated as I feel, and that we actually do outnumber them. Gives me hope.

Agreed - I've heard from a few Trump supporters that figured Trump was going to screw them over, but they liked him because he was going to screw over the "other guy" even more - the implication that the "other guy" is somebody black or brown skinned and/or gay.