I think it's possible that we -- and as always, "we" includes people across the political spectrum including many from the former Republican party -- underestimate the celebrity element of this.
Most of the flock only know Trump primarily from his reality teevee show, where he played a strong and highly successful businessman. Even the producer of that show has come out and said that he regrets putting Trump on that pedestal, given Trump's lousy business reputation in New York City.
This is clearly a shallow, celebrity-driven culture and society right now, and it's sick. Look at the people so many follow and adore on TikTok, Instagram and the rest. Trump is a natural result. He's the Kim Kardashian of politics (although he probably wears more makeup), and they adore him in much the same way.