I know he has Ash Die Back disease or something, but he is otherwise intelligent. So he must realise that by taking a stance against a section of society and be unwilling to bend his views even in the face of overwhelming evidence that he will receive (in some form or other) "feedback". So you've got to wonder if he actually gets off on the thrust and cut of these activities.
Many years ago, once knew a man who pretty much every other day would come into the front counter of a police station and complain about something and, in effect, start an argument. Despite getting hot under the collar and on a few occasions getting pretty close to having handcuffs slapped on him, it was obvious he enjoyed it. Reminded me of the Monty Python argument sketch. There were some officers who revelled in sending young, inexperienced officers to the front counter to deal with him. Character building they called it. I couldn't possibly comment on their identity.