They've thought they could do it with Trump too. Trump doesn't mind fighting with other republicans and he's not going anywhere. The GOPe needs a new playbook if they want to push Trump aside like they did Reagan.
By the way, I have been a registered independent since the 90s in part because I hated the way the GOP immediately distanced themselves from Reagan and overturned his key programs (tax cuts, for example). I voted for them because ‘lesser of two evils’ (sometimes even that is debatable ... Romney and McCain) but the way they are treating Trump has only solidified my position that they are not MY party, our relationship is a distant one of convenience only.