Very likely. The “average” GOP voter is a MAGA Trump supporter, about to make a terrible mistake in supporting the unprincipled criminal demagogue who tried to steal the last election.
This is nonsense. It is a brainless move to support Trump, the “MAGA” candidate — even if you are fed up with most Democratic Party policies. Those who believe in “MAGA” are not voting for Conservatism but for a dangerous form of authoritarian reactionary populism, which has no precedent in American history, except perhaps in the 19th century “Know Nothing” Movement.
Of course many will vote for Trump even while noting many of his faults, thinking that there are still plenty of U.S. institutions that can limit any damage he might cause when he again breaks laws or acts criminally in a second term. Personally I doubt that— if he is elected — normal institutional guardrails will be sufficient this time around to fence Trump in. In any case we should not take this chance.
We have seen that there were precious few in the Republican Party who risked their political careers by frankly and consistently opposing Trump, including many who knew better all along.
Especially if Repubs win control of Congress in 2024, there will be few forces outside of the “Trump Party” able to oppose him. Trump remains an existential danger to the U.S. Republic, to our real interests and to the interests of our longtime allies. His election would be a gift to authoritarians like Putin & XiJinping — who he openly admires — and strongly weaken democratic and personal freedom everywhere.