They like The Donald because he is not afraid to say what he thinks, the problem is most everything The Donald thinks is dumb and awful, much like those who like him so much.
I noticed something at the carwash the other day when I played with some Republican strangers. Here in Texas you can assume all white strangers are Republicans. Playing with strangers is something one cannot really do with family members or coworkers or friends because they don’t where you are coming from. They seem to have never actually confronted anyone from outside their bubble and say really dumb things without knowing what the more than obvious response will be to it. There are endless examples of this, but let me hit on the one I found easiest to use. Remember now, most all of them watch Fox News exclusively so they repeat the same talking points in the same manner, the same order, using the same words, etc, just like Fox News or talk radio do among themselves.
If you innocently bring these strangers out on The Donald without showing your hand they invariably begin by saying they like him because he is not beholding to any lobbyists or billionaires. That’s the moderate view of fascism. The comeback is so obvious you would think they would see it coming.
“But Donald Trump IS a lobbyist and a billionaire.”
Suddenly what was a growing new friendship shifts to them realizing they have engaged the enemy. You can see it in their body language, the huff and the puff up, turning their head away and changing the subject to EMAILS! PATRAEUS! And BENGHAZI! Always in that order.
Another game I once played but stopped because it was too depressing, was when you know you are in a group of Republicans at a party or table at someone’s house, say something horrible about Obama or Hillary or some minority. Get accepted as one of them and listen to what they say behind closed doors. They are just so awful, way down deep awful at the genetic level, especially if they are wearing any camo. Which is hard to get away from down here.