I reckon bigots need to isolate themselves from those that don’t share their bigotry. They fear being exposed to the truth of how ugly they have become.
We should be sympathetic. Michelangelo Has given up a lot, here...
He had a stump-dumb Midwest hayseed “friend”, about which she could tell amusing stories with his coastal elite friends. He was able to make himself seem worldly and tolerant, while simultaneously displaying his superior intellect and moral correctness in sharp relief.
That’s a lot to give up over an election. We should respect his sacrifice.