In recent weeks, Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump has consistently scandalized with his strident — some say hateful — rhetoric. From picking a fight with the family of a dead US soldier, to accusing President Barack Obama and Democratic rival Hillary Clinton of founding the terrorist group Daesh, his off-the-cuff and over-the-top comments have had a noticeable downward effect on his poll numbers.
Over the weekend, Trump managed to avoid piling on additional controversy, leading some to believe that the Republican establishment had, at long last, managed to secure the candidate’s pivot toward appealing to a general public so that he would, at least, have a slim chance of garnering a respectable number of votes in the upcoming general election.
On Monday, however, Trump proved once again that the hyena cannot change his spots, and, even though he seeks the highest office in America, his tone showed that it will likely be another calamitous week for the Republican campaign.
Speaking to MSNBC’s Morning Joe on Monday, political analyst Rick Tyler uttered what Trump evidently took to be fightin’ words.
"He’s sort of talking about his candidate as if he graduated from diapers to big-boy pants," Tyler said, referring to RNC Chairman Reince Preibus’ recent comments praising Trump as "disciplined and mature."
"This is not great progress. His new tone, I don’t understand what the new tone is," Tyler added.
During the same program, co-host Mika Brzezinski mocked a recent speech given by the Republican candidate.
"He belted like, honestly, like he’s had a lot to drink," she said. "His delivery is very 'Blaaaaagh!'"
Never known to take the high road, Trump took to his preferred social media outlet.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2016
He then insinuated that Brzezinski and co-host Joe Scarborough were romantically involved.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2016
Naturally, Scarborough felt compelled to respond to Trump’s response.Neurotic and not very bright?
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) August 22, 2016
And thus began the latest Twitter feud between a presidential candidate representing a formerly-respected US political party, and a simple media personality. Looks like it may be another long week.