The New York Times’ editorial board joined the Washington Post Tuesday in saying Donald Trump’s supposed presidential pivot is total nonsense.
“[T]he Trump on the stump is the true man. However copiously applied, cosmetics cannot obscure his brutish agenda, nor the narcissism, capriciousness and most of all, the inexperience paired with intellectual laziness that would make him a disastrous president,” the board wrote.
“Whatever persona or good manners Mr. Trump chooses to display from now on, he can’t hide his unfitness for the presidency,” it added.
The Times’ remarks come shortly after the Post said the same last week.
But when it comes to selling the narrative that Trump is making a move to become a kinder, gentler and more “presidential” candidate, the Times and the Post are in the minority.
Following the billionaire businessman’s victory last week in the New York Republican primary, he delivered a victory speech wherein his preferred nickname for Ted Cruz (“Lyin’ Ted”) was notably absent, and commentators in the press took note.
Trump suggested later that the GOP moderate its position on abortion, and he said he supports transgender persons who prefer to use the restroom that corresponds best to the gender with which they identify. This all comes as the casino tycoon and his camp repeatedly tell reporters and party leaders he plans to become more “presidential.”
Coupled with Trump’s newfound love for teleprompters, and a few notable campaign hires, newsrooms took it from there, and many suggested breathlessly that the billionaire businessman was at long last evolving into a more serious candidate.
“Trump Shakes Up Campaign as He Gets Serious About Winning,” Vanity Fair reported.
MSNBC reported, “Donald Trump is seemingly making a pivot and adopting more traditional campaign tactics as he moves closer to the general election.”
