how fucked up is the political climate in the US?
Well the right has been brainwashed over the course of decades to believe "tHe LiBruLs aRe GoNnA tAKe aWaY mUh FrEeDuMs," and coupled with the Trump/MAGA cult behavior has only exacerbated their idiocy to the point any and every one of them feels they have nothing to lose (which they don't, many have nothing) by standing in the way of democracy.
American politics has long been just viewed as if rooting for a favorite sports team, "My team is the best and everybody else is my rival!" where people don't even care that their team sucks, they'll continue to stand behind them because that's their team. Many vote against their own interests because of that, and the MAGA cult is the worst case it's been in a very long time.
This got a chuckle out of me! One of the best responses I've read this morning.