I mean, they must know how much the public mocks them, right? What are the odds they’re actively trying to make everything worse as a Jokerfied “I’m taking the whole world out with me.” kind of thing?
Just a random tin foil hat thought, don’t take this too seriously
I have had the misfortune of knowing very severe narcissists in this life, one of whom in a relationship afflicted me with a similar mindset. The basic mindset is this: when things go your way, it is because you are brilliant and chosen and an example to those around you. When things don’t go your way, it is because people have let you down by failing to recognize your inherent superiority; thus they must be punished, and you will use your talents to become a plague upon the world.