This isn't necessarily true. We don't have a system where a wide variety of viable candidates all get equal representation, since their representation is mostl

This isn't necessarily true. We don't have a system where a wide variety of viable candidates all get equal representation, since their representation is mostly controlled by for-profit businesses. We end up with 2 imperfect candidates and if it is your duty to choose one and see to it that they win versus the other option, you might donate some money. An individual might donate for a pet cause that's important to them even if they disagree with other things. A company might donate, because it is actually going to help their business and they have a duty to their shareholders to increase profit. You say it's not complicated as if the issue is settled and final, but there is a lot more subtlety to this topic. There were enough issues with Hillary as a candidate that she deserved to lose regardless of whether the republican candidate was a controversial figure like Trump or not. For that reason, I expect many people donated to Trump as a way to avoid Hillary.