I don't think it was foolish of us to expect things to turn out differently. Trump was ridiculed and laughed at by everyone, including me, from the very beginnings of his campaign, but he stood his ground. He adopted, what seemed to most at that time at least, extremely unpopular positions on internal and foreign policy, he spoke the unthinkable about making friends with Russia, he called out Islam for what it is. He didn't need brexit to be emboldened either, he happened before brexit. No one expected him to win, including him. The amount of scrutiny he received way before he established his fanbase was enough of an excuse to pull out or make him change his stance on major issues like immigration and Islam. He didn't. 

I think we should look at brexit and Trump differently. Let's take a step back and admit that neither are inheretly good or bad. Capatilizing on the momentum is important, doing more to improve your living conditions is important. You can't just elect a president and call it a day. I never understood why Trump supporters were overjoyed by the fact that republicans hold the senate and the house. You mean to tell me these corporates shills are a good thing to have on your side? Ok then.. Enjoy watching them capitilize on the momentum you started.

You may be right. I do believe that whatever is causing Trump to back down so much is coming from within his own party.