I'd argue rank and file Republican politicians are more just your standard corporate oligarchs who use Jesus as their wedge issue to divide and conquer (as opposed to Democrats who are oligarchs that use identity politics as their wedge issue). They make the kool-aid.
Trump and his buffoons are what happens when you let the people who drank the kool-aid run the show. It's all of the evil with none of the subtlety or sense of decorum. His fans like that he has none of the subtlety or decorum but neglect the fact that he's still evil and will still take every opportunity to fuck them out of their money and freedoms.
Thankfully, he's such an egomaniac and so terrible at anything required of a politician (diplomacy, bargaining, tact), he'll continue to fall on his face when trying to accomplish anything that isn't EXACTLY what "his" party wants.