What makes you think they didn't realize it? It's possible the public figures, the politicians, are as stupid as they appear. In fact, I believe stupidity is a basic requirement of the establishment's vetting process.
But the establishment itself probably doesn't employ morons to set policy - tell the politicians what to think and do. Whatever their goals may be, I don't think they include winning the presidency this election. That is assuming Trump isn't really their boy as well, and I'm not convinced he's not.