I think it's the reverse is true. And the media did everything in their power to drive the other 16 out.
You watched a different election... Conservative 'media' mouth and words were never for Trump... the mass media made big money off promoting Trump as the 'orange baboon'. Because, they all had Rick Wilson's dirty dossier in the top drawer to end Trump's campaign... Trump rallies and are what won him the election... Maybe you watched at least one of them? Now there are two sitting senators who thought they were entitled to leave their Senate work and use donors dollars to get to the White House... and for all they have accomplished they could still be out campaigning on some one else dime.