Yeah, the relationship is more like a bad neighbour who refuses to stop throwing dog shit over the fence.

I think a better analogy is the US is a bully of an older brother.

A battered spouse can't always leave either, due to threats or reliance on the terrible partner

Not sure why you find it ridiculous, I find it fairly fitting. This part was especially poignant:

Going back to 2015, people who’ve lived with chronic abusers recognized [Trump's] type — palpably, intuitively, from experience

I couldn't agree more. Before I had experienced domestic abuse, I struggled to understand how he got people on board the Trump train. Then I landed in an abusive situation, and after I was out, I wanted to understand what in the actual fuck was going and (and is still going on for those who are/were still in that situation), so I did a shit ton of reading, research, etc., until I finally could grasp how the dynamics and patterns in these situations work. And then at some point, looking at the whole Trump thing, it suddenly clicked - those are the same patterns, just on a much, much larger scale. Especially after noticing how a softball interview with him triggered something pretty bad in me.

I mostly agree with you. I don't know if you read the article, but the metaphor is that his powerlessness is being exposed on the world stage, so he inflicts his rage on those closest to him. The metaphor of domestic violence is off putting, but in the sense of striking out at those closest to you I suppose it's apt. I get what Marshall is trying to say even if it's awkwardly stated.