Politico interviewed more than two dozen women who support Trump — elected Republican officials and political activists — and while many wouldn’t condone his more controversial comments, almost all saw a Trump different from the one presented on television screens nationwide.
Many of the women pointed to Trump’s successful and popular children as the measure of his character. Some said the presumptive nominee reminded them of their own fathers or husbands, and others said they saw Trump in themselves. Several rejected the notion that gender should have anything to do with the way they choose a president.
Ronna Romney McDaniel, Michigan’s Republican party chairwoman, pictured at the March 3 GOP debate in Detroit, met Trump after her uncle lost the 2012 presidential race. “He could not have been more gracious and nice to me and my family in talking about his support of Mitt at the time,” she said.

Ronna Romney McDaniel, Michigan’s Republican party chairwoman, pictured at the March 3 GOP debate in Detroit, met Trump after her uncle lost the 2012 presidential race. “He could not have been more gracious and nice to me and my family in talking about his support of Mitt at the time,” she said.

Supporters who have interacted with Trump behind closed doors describe him as “kindhearted,” a “gentleman,” and, more than once, a good listener. To a woman, these vocal and high-profile female supporters describe a man who bears little resemblance to the brash, combative and dismissive Republican who now stands as the GOP’s presumptive nominee.

“I have known politicians for over 35 years and I have never had a more kindhearted one look me straight in the eye and talk to me about the United States of America,” said Sue Lynch, former president of the National Federation of Republican Women who originally supported Scott Walker’s presidential bid.