The split between corporate PACs and big-money donors and the growing number of grassroots donors "reinforces that the biggest divide in today's Republican Party may be between the elites and the base," J. Miles Coleman, associate editor of Sabato's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia's Center for Politics, told Salon by email. "While some higher-up Republicans — such as Sen. Mitch McConnell — have, at times, hinted that they'd want the party to move beyond Trump, the base seems perfectly comfortable supporting — and donating to — Trumpian candidates."