Some of the Never Trumpers eventually cottoned on to the fact that their "team" was FAR more about racism, nationalism, grievance, etc. & NOT about conservative ideology. I think some thought HRC's basket of deplorables calculation was hyperbolic, instead of an underestimation. Def. NOT hijacked.
I would say the Never Trumpers are the political illiterates that drove out actual experts, while themselves lacking the knowledge required and this allowed the crazies to take over. The Never Trumpers may be repelled by what the GOP has become but they still don't understand the part they played.
That's not remotely accurate based on the ones I've listened to/read since 2016. YMMV
So that brings us back to my first question: who are they and what concepts are they talking about that makes you think they are politically literate? How did MAGA happen so easily then? In reality, I can't think of anyone in the conservative movement that knows even the basics of political theory.
The ones who "allowed the crazies to take over" weren't Never Trumpers. They were first & foremost elected officials & operatives who STILL identify as Republicans. They were/are opportunists far more dedicated to gaining/keeping power than supporting & protecting the Constitution. Now, run along.