I do know republicans, I am from more of conservative environment. I still semi regularly read conservative journals. It is currently what it is. Trying to idealise that word serves no one.

They dont like science. They used to like cosplay liking science, when it felt more manly or when they thought it sticks it to feminists. That interest ends long before any real science starts and have nothing to do with it.

They dont think much of actual scientists.

Individual republicans may well love science, but the Republican party is and has been anti-science for a long time, and aggressively so.