It appears to be all about Nationalism vs. Globalism now. So the hyper-nationalist strongman types (USA, Russia, etc.) are most appealing to them. There is clearly some kind of floodgate they think will be opened if hyper-nationalism doesn't win out (and who knows what they imagine that would look like). They are, literally, terrified.You can guarantee that at least one of them will parrot that the US is a Republic noot a democracy" and you cant help thinking that they do not understand what they are talking about.
The anti democracy moves around the states are also about disenfrnchising people. Once you lose sight of the importance of voting then its a small step to stopping it.
Their heroes have no time for voting. Putin,Pinochet,Orban and so on. Better to have a white christian strong man calling the shots rather than people who might be different. And god forbid they might look different as well.