That hypothesis goes back to Trump's first election. I think it appeals to fears and stereotypes that working-class white people are fundamentally racist and don't care about democracy and freedom, which is why it makes a strong impression - people remember it and repeat it. IIRC, the data from the elections doesn't support it (but I don't have the data).
I think Trump's real powerbase is a wealthy elite, including those who have great influence over the business world and, most critically, over the flow of information, including on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
> I think Trump's real powerbase is a wealthy elite
If you look at the breakdown of any Trump approval/disapproval poll, you'll see who the powerbase is. The billionaires are disposable supplicants, they got on the Trump train late and he doesn't really trust them as far as he can throw them.
I think Trump's real powerbase is a wealthy elite, including those who have great influence over the business world and, most critically, over the flow of information, including on Facebook, Instagram, and X.