The self-inflicted damage started a long time ago. One example was Mitch McConnell saying that his number one priority was stopping anything Obama wanted to do, Not increasing wealth. Not anything productive; just being obstructionist.

Trump's self-funding is a myth. The campaign has raised $25m. Which is small, but of that, $7.5m has come from from individual donors. Over 60% of the campaign's funding is debt is owed to the candidate and that has to be paid back either using other donations or by the candidate himself. Trump has so far only spent $250,318 of his own money on his presidential bid. That is pretty cheap advertising, which is what I think this is all about.

And much of that money goes to expenditures like renting aircraft and buying hats from Trump businesses, which is a profit making venture.

Many insiders have reported that his goal was to finish 2nd, thereby increasing his name recognition without incurring the responsibility of holding office.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_UUx9oPcO2WQwcqJ8KA-41sqLMMRpak9DlTUuacqR0kXubgvKhvkgB2PViPWSfU_k-Vjtdzd2ZzsqQAS3-Ol07nqa9h41HKSBDYmZ__KW6NkZVRimOU90ARDSjZ31WNPe6xi7H3v