Eh. Conservatism does exist but, it's never been what it's claimed to be. It's all about establishing and enforcing hierarchical power structures in society by any means necessary. Almost universally, the adherents desire to have power over others, so, even if they're not at the top, they get to be cruel towards their "lessers" and that makes them feel better about themselves. Through the lens of their philosophy, things like hypocrisy are privileges of those higher in the hierarchy with which to taunt their "lessers".

Additionally, they do not believe in objective reality but, subjective reality that bends to their will (when it doesn't, they deny the delta and pretend that it does). This applies to morality as well; moral correctness is relative to one's place in the hierarchy, not their actions (ie supporting a convicted felon, rapist and pedophile is ok because he's rich and supports hierarchy).

The reason, I think, that the belief system has been able to stick around so long (beyond the propaganda) is that its followers do gain some mental health benefits. They are able to reduce their cognitive load through deference to their rulers and reduce potential for anxiety and depression by avoiding self-reflection and embracing the Just World Fallacy.

Conservatism does sort of exist, but it's all about conserving the social, economic, and power structures of the present. Honestly most so-called conservatives are actually reactionaries - they want to bring back the social, economic, and power structures of the recent past, i.e. reverse the past couple of decades of development. Mostly, of course, because they believe they were better off back then.

You nailed it. Well put!

Plus, it is pretty bipartisan, everyone hates health insurance companies, more popular leftward, but the amount on the right that supported, or at least did not condemn, him was pretty striking

I am absolutely celebrating it. Every billionaire deserves a shallow, unmarked grave.