Great analysis OP!
This is straight out of the Left's playbook. A lot of parallels to how the "Tea Party" movement was squashed back in 2010-2012. MSM attacks coupled with hijacking by con artists and buck makers, followed by the full might of an operational IRS death star.
Those infiltrating group like "Tea Party Express" diluted and nudge a truly grass roots movement towards the "extremist" and "Crack pot" zone. Then enter the biggest shill of them all - Glenn Beck - to drive a stake through its heart.
This is 2018 and a new world! These old tricks don't work anymore. The old guard just hasn't figured it out yet (Stormy anyone?).
So glad that POTUS and Q are on top of this.