Whether it's a far-right demagogue or a far-left demagogue probably depends on which side is able to find and bring to the field the most compelling populist firebrand. I really think the left/right divide is overstated here. A lot of these people would join the Bolshevik revolution or the Nazi brown shirts with equal gusto as long as the pitchforks are aimed at Washington, New York, and San Francisco.
I'm agnostic on the Russia thing -- I see evidence for it and also reasons to be skeptical -- but if it is true I honestly think Vladimir Putin underestimates his hand. At this point he could get on YouTube and make a speech and appeal directly to the American people to join with Russia in alliance against Washington. Millions might just take him up on it. All he has to do is promise to bring back good jobs with good wages.
Our ruling classes continue to vastly underestimate just how much rage out there is directed at them. They also continue to blame it on everything but economics: racism, social issues, etc. Of course that's not wholly wrong, but what they miss is that racism and xenophobia always increase during times of scarcity. Those are effects, not causes. I challenge you to find me a single example in all of history where increasing scarcity did not cause increasing feelings of xenophobia.
My experience is that people in democracies get the politicians they deserve.
That's what I've seen in Spain, Argentina, Turkey, Italy, my own country Denmark, Hungary and it's also what I see in the USA.
Living in a democracy is a responsibility. It's hard work. If you stand on the sidelines and complain without ever running yourself, you get to live with a ruling class.
"I hope Trump does as much damage as possible." - I have heard almost this exact quote.
Its difficult to empathize with the sentiment, but it is potent and its real.