@houseoftolstoy See their primary worry as it seems now was losing control of sentiment over their controlled opposition and an actual change to have actual opposition. Based on how well they handle foreign opposition internal may fare better IF it had been allowed to gain some root. Not that I think Trump would have been the one to do anything, but it did look like possibly there was a chance (if he went on longer) that some reformists would come about. Small chance, but not one they tollerated