Who stands to benefit or avoid harm from such a belief? Arguably the people responsible for the national circumstances that lead the population to vote for someone like Trump.

Growing wealth inequality? No, it's Russia

Questionable foreign wars? No, it's Russia

Massively deprived communities across the states? No, it's Russia

Off-shored working/middle class jobs? No, it's Russia

The Russia narrative is extremely attractive to those whose policies have been very unpopular with a large segment of society. Providing this can be kept up through the Trump presidency than the Democrat (and Republican to some extent) lines do not need to change. More of the same. It is not that people don't like our policies, they were just duped by Russia.

To believe that the effects of certain policies have been just rosy for a large section of Americans, is naive. To try and dismiss their views and blame them for being unknown puppets of Russia, is cruel and wrong.

note: I am not suggestion that Russia were not involved in some way in the US election.