We heard it during the GOP primary: “Donald Trump will change after he wins the nomination.” When Trump locked up the Republican nomination in May, we were told a “pivot” to more “presidential” behavior was imminent. (It wasn’t.)
Reluctant Trump backers such as RNC chairman Reince Priebus and House Speaker Paul Ryan hoped that maybe his official coronation at the Republican convention would inspire a change of temperament. (It didn’t.)
You almost feel sorry for them.
The sadness in these eyes (photo & story by NYT: https://t.co/V0FTNrwXHf) pic.twitter.com/KzAKhu1Vng
— Elise Foley (@elisefoley) August 3, 2016
Trump’s campaign aides and surrogates also used to make promises about a “pivot,” but seemed to have given up. Can you really blame them?
The past few days have been especially disheartening to anyone who believed, against all evidence to contrary, that Trump could “change” or “pivot” or “evolve” or “get serious” in order to become a more “presidential” candidate.
Trump in the last 24 hours … https://t.co/xvDZ7qN6qb pic.twitter.com/xlvIpf4Cvw
— Derek Thompson (@DKThomp) August 3, 2016
Some Republican donors are pretty angry after finding out the candidate they’ve been giving money to is Donald Trump.
Just got off the phone with a top Trump donor and fundraiser. At wit's end. Expletive after expletive. Can't fathom what Trump is doing.
— Jonathan Swan (@jonathanvswan) August 3, 2016
Even Newt Gingrich is starting to get fed up with Trump’s antics.
“Trump is helping her to win by proving he is more unacceptable than she is.” — @newtgingrich https://t.co/pgqdY0aTdi
— Joe Weisenthal (@TheStalwart) August 3, 2016
Maybe he’ll change and start acting “presidential” when he actually becomes president? To paraphrase Nancy Pelosi, we have to elect him to see what’s in him. Or perhaps we’ve already seen all there is to see.
He won't pivot, won't change, can't be molded, doesn't learn, couldn't care less, will continue on this course for as long as he is able.
— Matthew Continetti (@continetti) July 22, 2016
