The Note: The 'Softening' of Donald Trump

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August 24, 2016

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The 'Softening' of Donald Trump

Trump Suggests 'Softening' of Immigration Policies

Donald Trump indicated there could be a "softening" of his controversial immigration policies during a Fox News town hall moderated by Sean Hannity that aired last night. When asked by Hannity if there was "any part of the law" he would change to accommodate law-abiding immigrants who have kids in the U.S., Trump replied: "There certainly can be a softening because we're not looking to hurt people," Trump said in his response. "We want people -- we have some great people in this country." Trump emphasized that his immigration policies would "follow the laws of the country." ABC's JULIA JACOBO, INES DE LA CUETARA and CANDACE SMITH have more. http://abcn.ws/2bf1bIP

Noted:

During the town hall the Republican nominee was asked about recent reports of the Mexican president saying he would meet with the next president of the United States regardless of who it is. "I'd meet with him," Trump said. "Absolutely, I'd meet with him." More from ABC's JOHN SANTUCCI: http://abcn.ws/2bgGDfV

Black Voters Speak Out on Trump's Recent Overtures

Trump's latest direct appeals to black voters have been seen as a welcome change by some black attendees at Trump's rallies, but many of those leaning toward Hillary Clinton say they see the attempts as disingenuous. "I think it's just a ploy to gain my vote," said Sylvester Ollie, a 47-year-old African-American from Pennsylvania. Some of the talking points that Trump has used — from repeating questionable claims that 58 percent of African-American youths are unemployed to asking voters "What do you have to lose?" by casting their ballot for him rather than Clinton — have rubbed some listeners the wrong way. "It's despicable," said Walter Smith Jr., 68, from North Carolina. ABC's MEGHAN KENEALLY and ADAM KELSEY have more. http://abcn.ws/2bKKLGd

Analysis -- ABC's Rick Klein

When a "pivot" meets a "softening," what becomes of it? And can you truly change a policy that you never had really had in the first place? Donald Trump's immigration muddle continues, with his concession that there's room for "softening" in a policy he's previously described in the hardest of terms. Leaving aside the oddity of a nominee not actually having a final position on immigration, barely two months before the election, it's not clear at all where this leaves Trump and his campaign. The wall isn't going away, one would presume, but will Trump's new position fit Trump's own old definition of "amnesty"? Will he not press to change any of what he now calls the "very, very strong laws" on immigration? (Picture for a moment how this would play on a debate stage with Ted Cruz.) As for his base, whatever that may be, Ann Coulter said Tuesday on MSNBC, "This could be the shortest book tour ever if he's really softening his position on immigration."