Bill,

Thanks for reading and your comment!

You know, I think you're absolutely right in terms of the policy differences. For the most part, each new politician is just a tiny rudder on the supertanker of global consumer capitalism and the military-industrial complex. (At the same time, Trump's judge appointments -- 54 federal appellate judges and the three SCOTUS justices -- was substantial.)

So...why is he so popular? If it's just "minor policy differences," why are people running around with "Ultra MAGA" shirts on, "Fuck Biden" and "No More Bullshit" bumper stickers? Because he was less hawkish on foreign policy? Or because of the extra judges?

Maybe some. But for the vast majority of Americans, who mostly know fuck-all about policy, it's not just about policy. The "culture wars" were massively impacted by Trump as president. His shattering of norms has had an unquantifiable effect. He amplified mistrust in government, institutions, science and epistemology, and as such, he appeals to anti-government types, conspiracy theorists, and just plain assholes. Hence the article.