CMV: Trump is not really as dumb as he appears to be

A lot of people dismiss Trump as being unintelligent because of the way he speaks, his exaggerations, contradictions or lack of depth in the way he talks. But I think that image of "dumb Trump" is inaccurate.

For one, he has consistently been able to capture media attention better than almost any modern politician. He knows how to dominate headlines, set narratives, and turn even negative press into visibility, which is a skill in itself. His speaking style, while often mocked, resonates with a large portion of the population who see him as relatable or "straight-talking." If he were truly as clueless as he appears, it seems unlikely he would be able to have such massive appeal despite what his opponents say.

Secondly, his business skills are good. He has shown a track record of using his name and persona to build wealth and influence. Even if some ventures failed, the overall image he cultivated of himself as a successful mogul worked powerfully in his favor. It takes some level of shrewdness to consistently leverage opportunities in that way. His colleague Barbara Corcoran has named him the best salesman alive from her time working with him.

I’m not saying he’s a genius mastermind, but I think his “dumb” persona might actually function strategically, allowing him to be underestimated by opponents and underestimated in negotiations. His ability to reduce complex issues into simple, punchy statements works to his advantage in the modern media environment. Trump isn’t nearly as dumb as he looks on the surface, he might just play into that caricature because it benefits him politically and socially.