Yes. In my voting life ie 50 yrs, only Reagan and Trump had that connection. The rest were bureaucrats - or WORSE.
I know exactly what you mean. Both Trump and Reagan had extremely successful careers before going into politics. Reagan was, of course, the governor of California (back in MUCH better days) and Trump never held elective office prior to getting elected POTUS. They both make that deep emotional connection with people.
When you think about that creep who has been in government for ALMOST 50 YEARS becoming POTUS, you get sick. Being in government for too long absolutely ruins people at a very deep level.