It was based on money.
The backers/patrons of the various persons/orgs were against Trump, so of course their clients had to conform.
None of these exists by selling something directly to the Republican/conservative public. They live on the charity of their wealthy patrons. Cato, NR, Redstate, etc.
Rich donors tried to shove amnesty down our throats just after the 2014 election. They posted a $100 million+ ad-buy that targeted FNC, FNB, and rightwing talk radio ("American" Solutions was the front group.) The conservative opinion needle on amnesty moved not a single percentage point.