This is the result of echo chambers. The moment the real world looks even the slightest bit off from their worldview, they invent an existential, tangible threat to that worldview, both retaining the illusion that their view is the default and that it only appears as though the “centrist” or “opposing” view is dominant, while also giving them an excuse to double-down. Fascists have been doing this for the same reasons. They truly believe they hold a majority view and can’t accept that they are a fringe group because they only expose themselves to that which reinforces their beliefs.