They probably have all been beaten into submission by accusations of being NAZIs, Fascists, misogynists, Islamophobes or Sexists.
I think you are right.
They are intimidated by political correctness, as are many Americans. In my opinion, political correctness falls within the more general category of The Madness of Crowds.
You can download, for free, a copy of the Kindle book:
Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds, by Charles Mackay, 1852. Human nature has not changed fundamentally. Political Correctness is insane, even when “everyone” accepts it and demands it. Political correctness is a poor alternative to factual correctness or correct reasoning.