The Republicans have had an existential crisis ever since Barack Obama was elected to office. The idea of a competent black man (oh, Lord, black) sent them into frenzies of hatred they can't escape. They helped to create Donald Trump, and not the other way round. The racism and disrespect that the House and Senate demonstrataed toward Obama allowed the "regular folks" to air theirs out as well. Sadly, most white people, especially those who hold national office, would rather be white than right.