Typically, statistics are abused by politicians/partisan hacks who take data from reliable sources and lie/spin it to their narrative. The thing is, the average Fox News viewer with a HS diploma isn't going to dig any deeper. And I wouldn't say they trust their gut... they trust the propaganda narrative.
When Trump and Vance said immigrants were eating people's dogs and cats, they just nodded their empty heads.. you can't teach someone like that to engage reason.
No, you are so right, why have rallies at all, when we can just let everyone think they are alone in their opposition to fascism. What's the point of letting the media and politicians know the current administration does NOT have a mandate.
Rallies unite and focus people. People meet at these rallies, become friends, form groups, etc.