>I don't understand how average Americans can buy into this idea that Trump is some kind of outsider.

It's because Trump is politically incorrect. He dresses like the just got off shift at the factory and makes jokes about his dick size and most importantly, when he speaks, he doesn't come off as being more informed or articulate than his supporters.

All it takes for a politician to convince Americans they're not part of the "elite," is to act like a convincing caricature of "the common man."

Trump is very wealthy and he rubs shoulders with the elite in our country, but he is certainly not a member of the Republican Elite which includes people like Paul Ryan, Republican Wall Street billionaires such as Paul Singer, and most of the Republican candidates that Trump beat (Jeb Bush, Cruz, Rubio, ....). The Republican Elite did not listen to suffering of the Republican electorate which is why they lost to Trump. Somewhere along the way, the Republic Elite lost sight of the fact that it is policies that appeal to voters than win elections and not donations from the wealthy.

Eric Cantor was the second most powerful person in The House of Representatives until he lost the primary to a political unknown. He lost because Republicans do not want illegal immigration. They are not against immigration but believe that people should only immigrate legally. Cantor did not listen to his voters and he lost. Remarkably, the Republican Elite ignored this loss and backed illegal immigration. Only Trump came out against illegal immigration.

The Republican Elite are so out of touch and this country deserves better leadership from the "Party of Lincoln."