The transcript of Donald Trump's interview with the Washington Post editorial board is available, and is about what you would expect, given how well we have all gotten to know Donald Trump. For example, he mounted an extended defense of the size of his hands, and other bodily parts.
I don’t want people to go around thinking that I have a problem. I’m telling you, Ruth, I had so many people. I would say 25, 30 people would tell me … every time I’d shake people’s hand, “Oh, you have nice hands.” Why shouldn’t I? And, by the way, by saying that I solved the problem.
What's beyond clear at this point is that Trump is a simple showboater. He is a carnival barker. He has no particular knowledge of or insights into any field, but is a master of misdirection. Though I suppose "master" may be overselling it.
Post publisher Fred Ryan asked Trump if he would consider using a tactical nuclear strike against the forces of the Islamic State, were he president. Trump responded that he didn't want to "start the process of nuclear," then reminding the editors that he was "a counter-puncher."
"Remember, one thing that everybody has said, I’m a counter-puncher," Trump said. "Rubio hit me. Bush hit me. When I said low energy, he’s a low-energy individual, he hit me first. He spent, by the way -- he spent 18 million dollars’ worth of negative ads on me. That’s putting..."
That went off the rails fast. Or perhaps Trump considers his slapfight with Rubio to be relevant experience for dealing with ISIS. Perhaps he plans to insult them to death.
Ryan jumped in. "This is about ISIS," he reminded Trump. "You would not use a tactical nuclear weapon against ISIS?"
"I’ll tell you one thing," Trump replied. "This is a very good looking group of people here. Could I just go around so I know who the hell I’m talking to?"
Repeat every debate, speech, and rally. And, as it turns out, it works well enough in most crowds. People like hearing they're good looking.