We now live in an overt oligarchy heading toward fascism. Although it's always been an oligarchy behind the scenes IMO, you are right, they are now saying the quiet part out loud. They are also taking actions that were once done behind closed doors right out into the open.
David Frum: "If conservatives become convinced that they can not win democratically, they will not abandon conservatism. They will reject democracy."
We are watching that happen. An oligarchy run by a fascist would be just fine with conservatives as they're showing us every single day.
Frank Wilhoit: “Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition… There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect.”
Laws clearly do not bind Trump, Thomas, Roberts, Alito or Musk and they're done pretending that they do. They don't even bother playing lip service to the idea that we have a government of laws, not of men.
I once had a Mexican friend tell me "I weep for my country" when talking about Mexican crime. Watching the Republican's accelerating mockery of our laws, institutions and government I'm sorry to say that as an American I weep for mine.