In these sorts of intimate settings, a different candidate emerges. Rather than screaming over the roar of a crowd, Trump’s demeanor was softer, his rhetoric was more personable and family friendly. He didn’t curse, and his attacks on rival candidates largely focused on their positions instead of their personalities — so he still went after Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) for being “very, very weak” on immigration but he didn’t call him a kid or a baby, as he has in the past. And Trump didn’t dwell on his hatred of the media.
Instead, Trump joked about the weather, doled out parenting tips and provided advice for Millennials. He directly engaged with young hecklers, defusing their comments rather than ordering them out of the rally. He acknowledged that many of the outlandish things he says might not be rooted in fact and said his support is so strong that he can get away with things other candidates cannot. Standing before this small crowd, Trump was less of a performer and more of a politician. It was a glimpse into how he might actually operate behind the scenes, away from the crowds that can egg him on.
Before the rally started, Nancy Dougenik said in an interview that as much as she loves and supports Trump, she wants to see him adopt a more professional, kind tone.
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