I agree it is a total shit show and is demeaning to the history of the country. As you say:

" Let’s not kid ourselves that any of this has to do with ideology. It is entirely about greed and power using scared people to line their pockets."

I believe a citizen will often do as commanded.

I believe a politician will pose as needed, to protect his own skin first.

The democrats have jumped on their own grenade.

It will blow up Trump. But, more and more Republicans will allow Trump to be seen as a disturbed old man. They will play the 'righteous servant of a twisted mind' card and will put their own man out to pasture to 'SAVE' the nation (in truth just their own asses). The democrats will wag a finger and say told you so, but meanwhile Biden's policies are bogged and erased by the hysteria over Trump. In comes a new 'young' charismatic republican candidate (Trump acolyte) who washes Trump from the platform, KOs the catatonic Biden and eight years of hardcore Trumpism will imprison the nation and send the distracted Dems reeling for decades.

I hope I am wrong but Trump like Hilary will go under the bus.