“Hopefully, Donald Trump will soon recognize that if you take the bait every time, you’ll never have a chance to discuss the real issues,” Ben Carson, a former Republican presidential candidate who is now advising Trump, told The Hill.

“We have the upper hand on the economy, education .. and a whole host of things, there is no dearth of substantial issues to talk about,” Carson said. “There is no reason to engage with those who are trying to make this about something else. … You pivot back to what’s important, you don’t have to take the bait. Learning that is perhaps one of the most important things.”…

The retired neurosurgeon said he believes Trump has learned a lesson from the current controversy and won’t be so easily distracted going forward.

“I actually do believe that episode has been instructive for him, and I do believe you’ll see something a little different going forward,” Carson said. “The message is penetrating. It’s soaking through. He’s marinating in it.”