re: What’s the true end game for all involved?

The goal of the politician is to get elected. To that end they must appeal to one of two human tendencies. One is left and one is right.
The human tendencies can be simplified like this:

The Dem voter is motivated by equality and fairness. People aren't equal or fair so only a powerful centralized govt can dictate rules to create social justice.
That kind of power always leads to tyranny but the leftist doesn't understand history. This time tyranny will be for goodness.

The GOP voter is motivated by freedom because it is the natural state of humans. That's why humans don't like being in prison. Equality is not achievable because people are not equal. They distrust govt and want to be left alone.

There is no end game. The game has been going on since history was first recorded.