The American exceptionalism is always groan-worthy but I've actually found it to be a good barometer when talking with more conservative folks in terms of how much hypocrisy are they willing to bear. Because someone who truly believes America to be "the greatest country in the world" should not be able to accept the corruption, ineptitude, dishonesty, vainglory, sacrilege (for the religious), and outright hatred and cruelty that the GOP has embodied for decades but has particularly boldly embodied since Trump's election.
The conservative folks deeply drenched in the sauce, those that have consumed Fox News and similar media for a significant point in time, will pivot to blaming Democrats, other countries, and/or other minority groups without a second thought. More moderate types, however, won't jump straight to that on a dime, and need a bit of a better incentive to smile and nod.
