I remember feeling like this in junior high. There was this group of athletic dudes who were mind numbingly offensive to everyone. Shoving people, locker stuffing, knocking books out your hand, tripping kids on stairs... Just constant abuse and scorn on anyone not in their group. And these guys were popular. I won't say every girl liked them because there were lots of smart girls. But a lot of girls liked them and guys thought they were cool, etc. It blew my mind that we weren't all ostracizing them for being obnoxious, abusive bullies.
It was junior high. I get it. I moved on.
But Trump's success brings that feeling back. There's no logic to it. It's a creepy mammalian subconscious need to stay on the good side of the bully so you don't end up targeted. Or maybe you see someone acting like you would like to act but can't get away with it.
I have no idea but I blows my mind every time I think about and I know it's what is wrong with the world. No question about that.