I think there were plenty of racists and/or fascists who knew exactly what they were buying, and many who liked his cruelty. I think there was also a wing that expected ”grownups” to be in the room, like Romney here, or Reince Prebus, believing they can be part of the team that shepherds TFG to making lucrative government decisions that benefit the right sorts (white, rich and cis).
He is demonstrably ignorant, and they believed they would be the brain trust that he would turn too. They didn’t research his personality enough.
Eta: There was also the pundit class and some Republicans who expected the importance of the office to impress him enough that he would break out of 70 years of past behavior and "pivot”.
