The NWO paranoia school from the 90s, the black helicopter conspiracy theories, and FEMA concentration camps that were once part of the rightwing fringe are now part of mainstream Republican/conservative dogma.
That’s why Trump is a product of that Republican/conservative dogma – Trump’s anti-democratic illiberalism, his unwarranted hostility toward NATO, Trump’s coddling of dictators and despots such as Putin, and his attacks on America’s long-time allies are but a few examples.
That’s why it’s incorrect to perceive Trump as having ‘taken over’ the GOP, as if before Trump the GOP was a sane, slightly right of center party interested in sound responsible governance – when in fact nothing could be further from the truth.
The truth is that for some 50 years the GOP has pursued reckless, irresponsible governance, accommodating and incorporating inane conspiracy theories, pandering to racists and bigots, and seeking to undermine our democratic institutions and pervert the political process – ultimately creating the aberration that is Trump.