World is radically different in 2016 than it was in 1980-88. Trump is popular because he is focusing on issues which voters are worried about in 2016.
Some major differences:
In 1980, we did not have $505 Billion trade deficit with China. Middle class jobs had not disappeared.
In 1980, Iran was not the hegemony in middle-east as it is now. Saddam from Iraq was their counter-balance.
In 1980, Illegals amounted to under 3 million. Now it is anywhere between 111 to 30 million. Nobody has the exact count, because they live in the shadows.
In 1980 there was no caliphate chopping heads off of Christians and Jews.
11 to 30 million.
This is exactly why anyone running for president needs to have their history examined be they businessman or politician.