Think about how the party’s changed from the top. The moderates, like Liz Cheney — cry no tears for her — have been pushed out of party leadership. Pundits like Tucker Carlson visit authoritarian states like Hungary, and pay homage to their dictators. A new wave of fanatics — who openly preach violence and supremacy — like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Josh Hawley — have risen to power and fame. Behind them are figures like JD Vance, backed by big money, blessed by Hollywood, who tug on the heartland’s strings in a calculated ploy to be the next Trump.