Donald Trump has built a political brand on his willingness to say just about anything that comes to mind at a given moment — relying, he says, on his “gut.” Sometimes that means contradicting himself on fairly basic ideas and sentiments, like as recently as Tuesday whether or not crying babies are fun to be around (Hint: less so over time).
The Republican nominee has no monopoly on broader policy reversals — though he has certainly adjusted his positions as much as anyone — but it is his remarkable agility to pivot in really tight spaces that continues to stun and frustrate opponents.
Here are a few things Trump has changed his mind about since becoming a presidential contender.
Hillary and Bill Clinton
“I know her very well and I know her husband very well and I like them both. And they are, uh, you know, just really terrific people.” -August 2013
But then…
On Hillary: “She’s the devil.” -August 1, 2016
On Bill: “[He] is one of the great abusers of the world.” -Dec. 30, 2015
The entertainment value of NFL football
“I don’t know what it is, but I’m getting totally bored watching NFL football. Too many penalties and far too soft! T.V. off and back to work.” -Oct. 5, 2014.
But then…
“As usual, Hillary & the Dems are trying to rig the debates so 2 are up against major NFL games. Same as last time w/ Bernie. Unacceptable!” -July 29, 2016
His ‘relationship’ with Russian President Vladimir Putin
“I do have a relationship … He’s probably very interested in what you and I am saying today, and I’m sure he’s going to be seeing it in some form. But I do have a relationship with him.” -Nov. 2013
But then…
“I have no relationship with Putin. I don’t think I’ve ever met him. I never met him.” -July 2016
His role ahead of the Republican National Convention
“I wanted it to be in Ohio, I wanted it to be here. We had lots of choices. … I recommended Ohio.” -July 18, 2016 (as the RNC began)
But then…
“I didn’t produce our show — I just showed up for the final speech on Thursday.” -After the RNC
The utility of debt and whether he has any
“I’m the king of debt. I love debt.” -May 4, 2016
But then…
“I have very little debt to anybody. I don’t need debt.” -July 31, 2016
Mitt Romney
“I have gotten to know him and he’s a terrific guy. I don’t know if he really comes out like he really is in person. He’s a warm, smart, tough cookie and that’s what this country needs. We need somebody that’s tough, that will stop China and OPEC and all these other nations from just ripping us up. And I think he can do it.” -Feb. 2012
But then…
“Mitt Romney had his chance to beat a failed president but he choked like a dog.” -Jun 11, 2016
Whether presidential nominees should release their tax returns:
On Romney’s returns: “I think in light of the fact that he started discussing some of the things, namely the rate or approximately the rate, I think it probably be better off just to release them now.” -Jan. 2012
But then…
On his own returns which he has refused to make public: “There’s nothing to learn from them.” -May 2016
Bill de Blasio’s fitness to be mayor of New York City
“I think he is going to want to make New York great. … I think pretty strongly that he’ll end up being a good mayor, maybe a very good mayor.” -Oct. 2013
But then…
“N.Y.C. has the worst Mayor in the United States. I hate watching what is happening with the dirty streets, the homeless and crime! Disgrace.” -Dec. 7, 2015
This crying baby
“Don’t worry about that baby, I love babies. I love babies! I hear that baby crying, I like it. I like it! What a baby. What a beautiful baby. Don’t worry, don’t worry. The mom’s running around like — don’t worry about it. Its young and beautiful and healthy. That’s what we want.” -Aug. 2, 2016
But then…
“Actually, I was only kidding, you can get the baby out of here. That’s alright. Don’t worry. I think she really believed me that I love having a baby crying while I’m speaking.” -Less than two minutes later, on Aug. 2, 2016.
