Trump's followers forgive his behavior because he's perceived to be sticking up for them against a culture and society that they view as becoming increasingly h

Trump's followers forgive his behavior because he's perceived to be sticking up for them against a culture and society that they view as becoming increasingly hostile and condescending to their identity, values and way of life. Someone that plays dirty and packs a strong counter punch is a good thing. The mindset is like this: you're an unpopular kid that feels bullied, and some bigger kid starts defending you. You aren't going to question the quality of his character. Right-wing populism seems to always be like this. They make people who feel under siege (wounded national pride, whatever) feel safer and feel respected. That improvement in feeling swamps everything else.