Trump Rolls Out a More Compassionate Side

A more human, compassionate Donald Trump emerged this week — and one cannot help but wonder if the strong, more humble Trump is here to stay.

After successful, gaffe-free speeches in Ohio and Wisconsin earlier in the week, which covered the important issues of terrorism, law enforcement, and race relations, Trump gave what many have called his best speech yet Thursday night. He not only displayed a positively presidential seriousness, but also revealed a humility of which many assumed he was bereft entirely.

“This is a Trump who wants to win — and can win — in November”

“Sometimes, in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don’t choose the right words or you say the wrong thing,” he said. “I have done that. And believe it or not, I regret it. And I do regret it, particularly where it may have caused personal pain. Too much is at stake for us to be consumed with these issues.”

“The new Trump we’re seeing this week — I’m calling him Trump 3.0 — probably scares the heck out of Hillary Clinton,” said Eddie Zipperer, a political science professor at Georgia College.

“The foreign policy speech, the law and order speech, an apology for saying hurtful things. This is a Trump who wants to win — and can win — in November,” Zipperer said.

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Of course, it’s too early to tell if this reformed Trump is here to stay — it wouldn’t be the first time Trump has appeared to reform his public image, only to soon slide back to his bombastic, uncouth stump style.

However, the recent shakeup at the top of his campaign, with the appointments of Kellyanne Conway and Steve Bannon, suggests that Trump’s pivot may indeed be part of a larger campaign strategy. That’s not to say Trump is on the verge of becoming another plastic politician — Bannon’s presence should put any such notion firmly to bed.

But in truth it may just be too early to tell. “Rather than a pivot, I’d say this is a baby step that points in the general direction of a pivot,” said Alan Schroeder, professor at the School of Journalism at Northeastern University.

“History tells us Trump will behave for about a week and then un-pivot,” noted Zipperer. “But the apology made it seem real this time — and it better be, because he’s up against a ticking clock with no room for error,” he said.

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The question is: Will this more humble and disciplined Trump have any significant effect on the dynamics of the race? Perhaps. “I think his polling numbers will improve quickly if he can maintain this satisfactory conduct,” said Zipperer.

Trump’s newfound self, however, will face a steep climb. “Trump has amassed a detailed and controversial record over the past 12-plus months, and it will be difficult for him to generate a new image this late in the game,” Schroeder said.

Trump will also need to be wary of taking the compassion too far. “His entire brand revolves around an attitude of ‘no retreat, no surrender,'” noted Schroeder. “He could lose credibility if he shifts too far.”