I don’t disagree that racism is a large part of the appeal. But I think you are underestimating the extent to which the “strongman” / “warrior” mindset is important on the right. To an extent, obviously, they are mutually reinforcing.
My point is that, even if they don’t take her apology seriously, the fact that she was forced to apologize (even disingenuously) means, in their mind, that she lost. That she is weak in a world that demands strength.