My theory is that they wanted trump to run against hillary to seal it for her, but also because even if he did win it would really only be a minor set back.
Even if he wasn't at war with corporate media, the amount of damage he would do to the status quo is very limited. Consider his background, his world, his perspective - remember, he doesn't even think the banks have really done anything wrong.
Like you, I thought for sure hillary would get it. But now that she didn't, the only solace we get is the shadenfreude of seeing the low information liberals lose their shit day after day. Really though, even though the differences at the top are minor, one important thing has happened - the left, who gave obama a pass for 8 years now has to oppose everything trump does, even if it is the same as what obama was doing. That is useful. I'm kind of worred what happens after next election, when we revert to total puppet (rather than 90% puppet) - we will have smug lefties rallying behind biden or whoever and then crazytown all over again for anyone who cares about freedom.
That sums it up pretty nicely.