Why not? One would think that independents would admire a candidate who is articulate, knows the problems that America faces, has practical plans as to how to deal with them, and has the will to carry them out.
There is a sizeable number of suburban moderate Republican women who despise Trump and would never vote for him under any circumstances. His performance last night got the Trump personality cult charged up (45% of the electorate at most),but did nothing to persuade the GOP moderates and independents to come aboard. Glenn Youngkin showed how to flip a blue state. Combine Trump supporters with never Trumpers, along with a lot of independents. Trump can’t do that, especially when whining about 2020 results.