I do have to say, that strikes me as too involved as a thesis to explain the rise of Trump. I just don't see his supporters as being that intellectually rigorous.

I think most of his support comes from a purely emotional place: a strong, deep-seated, if vaguely defined feeling that this country is hopelessly 'messed up' and all of it is the fault of liberals. In that sense, as the ultimate triumph of the liberals, I would agree that the election of President Obama was indeed the catalyst for 'Trumpism'.