Basically they can't 'go back'. Think about the far left -- could they change to the far right? Moderates may change sides for a specific person. How can our society change far right and far left to a more moderate way of thinking? I think it's too late. I have to go with Einstein's quote (I'm paraphrasing here): I don't know what weapons will be used in WW III, but WW IV will be fought with sticks and stones.
I was talking to a "friend" (I really don't know what he is, now) who was bitching and moaning about how the useless liberals were the real racists, and Trump was an angel of some sort. I listed out a few of the multiple objectively racist things DT's done over the years, not just a remark here and there... I was soundly dismissed with (in more words). "it's all B.S., its not even true, that's the world we've been forced into today". Im not even seeing the potential for contrition or fake humility. Even victim blaming sounds too compassionate.