Univision’s Jorge Ramos — no friend of Donald Trump, especially after being escorted out of one of his press conferences last August — suggested earlier that the Republican nominee’s trip to Mexico Wednesday was alto riesgo (high risk). Would Trump come across as presidential, or was he being set up to be embarrassed by President Peña Nieto?
The jury is split. Bill Kristol, who attempted to field his own candidate to challenge Trump for the nomination (remember David French?), was impressed.
Hard when you're a challenger to seem presidential. Trump standing there–for all the awkwardness–looks presidential. Good day for Trump.
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) August 31, 2016
A Presidential moment for @realDonaldTrump. Preview of the type of direct diplomacy we'll see for the next 8 years
— Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) August 31, 2016
So far, Trump passing the presidential test. Looks serious.
— Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) August 31, 2016
Folks, @realDonaldTrump is looking and sounding mighty presidential in Mexico City.
— toddstarnes (@toddstarnes) 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
We’ll see how Trump acts in Arizona soon. But that presser/whole thing was very presidential looking.
— Hadas Gold (@Hadas_Gold) August 31, 2016
.@ByronYork is calling Mexico a huge win for Donald Trump https://t.co/oi2NX1lJ3L
— Madeleine Morgenstern (@MadeleineinDC) August 31, 2016
I agree with Chuck Todd on NBC Nightly completely. Trump looked more serious and presidential than he has, but he can't erase the last year.
— Stuart Rothenberg (@StuPolitics) August 31, 2016
.@GovBrewer on Trump’s visit to Mexico: “I think it showed great leadership. He was very diplomatic & presidential.” pic.twitter.com/OOp1vAwBLL
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 31, 2016
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Largest consensus among political observers appears to be that Trump did himself more good than harm so far today.
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) August 31, 2016
As Twitchy reported, Hillary for America’s Brian Fallon got an early start trying to set expectations for the upcoming debates, recently tweeting that Trump was going to be a formidable debate foe for Clinton.
While many called out Fallon for his transparent attempt to set the public’s expectations, it appears the majority of the press and public have settled on a common standard for a “presidential” appearance by Trump, and it primarily involves some form of bodily emission, such as drool coming out of his wherever.
Trump appeared more diplomatic than he'd ever been on U.S. campaign trail. A low bar, but a real one.
— Jim Antle (@jimantle) August 31, 2016
Mexico meeting also a warning for Clinton on debates: Trump can benefit from low expectations.
— Jim Antle (@jimantle) August 31, 2016
All Trump has to do is act like a normal person & the press genuflects. Hillary, no matter what she does, it's never good enough.
— Desperada (@dsprada) August 31, 2016
If Trump does not urinate or vomit on Pena Nieto, he will have defied expectations and proven how presidential he is.#punditry
— Greg Sargent (@ThePlumLineGS) August 31, 2016
Trump is getting treated like the kindergartener with no motor skills who gets a standing O when he finally hits the ball off the tee.
— Tim Miller (@Timodc) August 31, 2016
@johnastoehr So what you're saying is as long as he doesn't drool on his shoes, he's going to win the debates?
— That’s RD to you. riverdaughter (@riverdaughter) August 31, 2016
At this point all Trump has to do is not drool on himself during debates and press will declare him the winner.
— Teresa (@TeresaKopec) August 31, 2016
I can't STAND when my colleagues in the media heap praise on an ignorant candidate because he/she managed 2 appear on stage without drooling
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) August 31, 2016
Amazing how low the bar is. Basically he has to tie his own shoes and not drool and he's 'Presidential' https://t.co/1yFPhCnofB
— mike sax (@TreasonHappens) August 31, 2016
Oh c'mon Nicolle Wallace: A-plus stagecraft? There wasn't even an American flag! Because he didn't drool, he's now a statesman?
— Joan Walsh (@joanwalsh) August 31, 2016
not presidential at all. Not sure what you were watching. Just because he didn't drool doesn't suddenly make him a diplomat.
— My Name is Fate (@Destini41) August 31, 2016
https://twitter.com/WorldOfStu/status/771084417217495040
Trump didn't throw up all over himself or call Nieto a rapist. V presidential.
— John McCormack (@McCormackJohn) August 31, 2016
To be honest, it’s not as though recent administrations haven’t played a huge part in lowering that bar to its current setting.
Never seen a politician graded on such a curve as Trump is with Mexican trip/speech. Not being jerk/flip-flopping = Presidential. Nuts.
— Glenn Thrush (@GlennThrush) August 31, 2016
Yes, Trump is being graded on a curve. But #RomneyShambles came about after Cameron/allies bashed him. @EPN has been gracious so far
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) August 31, 2016
Has he been gracious so far? The AP reported Wednesday night that President Peña Nieto told Trump that Mexico wasn’t going to pay for his wall, while Trump said the matter of payment wasn’t discussed.
the sound of a million Trump Seemed Presidential takes getting thrown out
— Gideon Resnick (@GideonResnick) August 31, 2016
So do you still get your Presidential Looking Optics Award if you lie on the world stage? https://t.co/Rfr27yHqzv
— Jon Favreau (@jonfavs) August 31, 2016
Yes, that’s President Obama’s chief speechwriter with a brief lecture on lying on the world stage to appear presidential. Thanks for your help in lowering expectations to their current level.
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