Until Trump, the Republicans more or less complied. They consistently took the high road and chose to lose with dignity (for example, Romney, McCain, Dole, etc.) rather than get down in the dirt with their scrappy opponents.
The very attributes that many Republicans criticize Trump over are reasons that Trump won the presidency - against an opponent that was all but crowned Queen.
Trump thinks outside the box. The box that the Republicans have created for themselves.
It is too bad that Trump has to fight this way but it is necessary (IMHO). I am shocked that Democrats claim that civility suddenly ended with Trump. This claim is completely false and yet another lie — the Democrats have been piling on unhindered for 30 plus years. They have had it easy with the MSM in their hip pockets.
With Trump, we have finally have someone who says ENOUGH and then hits back hard when attacked!