Indeed... the "why" evades all rational, logical thought

[usonian]

7. Don't overthink it. It's a cult.

Read a bit about cults and bells start ringing. I read first about addictive behavior, mostly from the works of Anne Wilson Schaef, and later about cults as the Q moronity emerged. There are many similarities. They appeal to weaknesses, lock people into a circle of denial, and project weaknesses and failure on "those others".

I am not a psychologist, but will repost some of the references. The leader-cult pattern repeats throughout history. It doesn't take a genius to do this; only a demagogue who knows how to frontrun prejudice and fear, and articulate them.

HTH