Part One of Donald Trump’s busy Wednesday is complete and the meeting with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto went pretty well.
The visual Donald Trump wanted, he got. pic.twitter.com/nblQF4ihby
— Chris Cillizza (@CillizzaCNN) August 31, 2016
The headline is that Trump and Pena Nieto discussed border security and building a wall, but didn’t discuss Trump’s frequent pledge that Mexico would pay to build the wall. But the brief press conference between the two men was cordial, and no shoes or rotten fruit were thrown. Trump may have read aloud his prepared statement with all of the sincerity and comfort of a hostage tape, but all in all, it looked like any other meeting of an American leader at an international summit. Considering how one of the core arguments from the Clinton campaign is that Trump is an unhinged ignoramus who will embarrass the country overseas, Trump played against low expectations today and earned praise from some unexpected corners:
Pena Nieto got absolutely owned by Trump. Legitimized Trump on a world stage and in a country that might have the most animus toward Trump.
— Domenico Montanaro (@DomenicoNPR) August 31, 2016
So far, this has worked for @realDonaldTrump, as his greatest problem is that people can't see him as POTUS. Here he gets to try out role.
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) August 31, 2016
If you believe Trump needed to pivot, moderate and look more Presidential, that event was a home run.
— howard wolfson (@howiewolf) August 31, 2016
No, but today's "soft" Trump has a better chance in the general election. Like it or not, and I don't. https://t.co/Vf4C26w2jQ
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) August 31, 2016
Peña Nieto was not ready for Trump. Couldn't get an apology or any change on immigration and Trump still wants Mexico to pay for the wall
— JORGE RAMOS (@jorgeramosnews) August 31, 2016
Will Trump keep this up? Or will he strike a different note in tonight’s address on immigration policy? Stay tuned.