Trump is formidable because he has no conscience or decency and will sell heroin to a heroin addict.
He has a diehard base in a deeply divided nation. And the economy is still healthy.
Yes. Trump’s base is a minority of the electorate, but every one of them will turn out and vote for him.
Trump will look to kill his opponent at any cost.
If the opponent is only signed up to play the executive course you describe, he/she will lose.