Probably because they can't relate to someone who has lived his whole life in extravagance. But they can relate to the neighbourhood kid whose college debt was excused. They can imagine "It should've been me, not him". That's their envy.

The likely reason they follow the clowns is in hopes of getting rich quick. They imagine themselves getting free handouts or being buddies with the rich. But the rich will do what they've done since time immemorial. Use and throw away when they're done.