That's what happens when you destroy the peoples' confidence in the election process and government institutions.
You won a tiny little battle by cheating (you got rid of the Orange Man and got Joe elected), but you lost the war...and destroyed the country in the process.
Nations are not a collection of people, territory, language or classes. They are an idea that is bought into by all. If the idea of An American Democracy is seen as a sham. No one will support it—That’s what happened with Rome and her Empire. They could use Mercenaries for a time—until they take over. What if there is a war and no one supports a corrupt government? Will the elites fight? Who will work for the bloated state? Its easy to lose the confidence of the people—and a “man on a White Horse” will sweep into power and set things right. I wonder if Trump has been taking riding lessons—or his sons.