I am coming to the conclusion that all this craziness going on is actually by design by the oligarchy. There is something about the players--Musk, Thiel, Trump, Vance--well-supported by other corporate heads who have have the financial clout and the will to buy political power. Here's are quotes that were used in an article I read. This is not the only article I've read, but to me it's plausible that we are, as many others believe, having the rug of democracy ripped from underneath us.

https://substack.com/home/post/p-157052044?source=queue

“I no longer believe that freedom and democracy are compatible.” - Peter Thiel

“Democracy is done.” – Curtis Yarvin

"If Americans want to change their government, they're going to have to get over their dictator-phobia." - Curtis Yarvin

I also read this article, and I clicked on the link in it called The Techno-Optimist Manifesto. This manfesto+Proect 2025, both already carefully crafted, and within the reach of the rich and powerful to execute--scary stuff.

Call me a conspiracy theorist or a left wing nut, but Trump may not be a lone nut in this wheelhouse.