Trump won in 2016 because he promised to be different from most republicans.

That's why he won the primary. But I'd argue he won the general election because he was going against a historically terrible candidate in Hilary Clinton.

You act like the Republican party is kowtowing to him? That's a good thing.

A political party kowtowing to any one individual is a terrible thing. Absolutely terrible. Look at China or Russia for example.

your attempt to label Trump as king of the Republicans was simply a half-assed effort to drive a wedge between Trump and his voters

Oh did I hurt your feelings by insulting your God-King? Notice how all the flags at the January 6th Insurgence were Trump flags? They took down the American flag and replaced it with a Trump flag. I don't need to "half ass" anything with Trump's base, you all are so brainwashed that it doesn't matter. You'll do anything to protect your Jim Jones, your Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. Even if he's fucking your wife and stealing your money in the process.