Last night's Tonight Show provided the Donald-Trump-is-running-a-false-flag-campaign-for-Hillary-Clinton conspiracy theorists with a bundle of fodder. When Jimmy Fallon asked him to reflect on transitioning from "butt of every joke" to "serious Republican contender," the presidential hopeful instead considered Clinton's antithetical path. Trump's poll numbers soar despite every single inflammatory comment spewing out of his mouth. Meanwhile, Clinton, on the top of the world around the time of her announcement and without too many sour soundbites on her record, can't catch a break thanks to an e-mail scandal maelstrom. It bums Trump out.
"She's had a very bad time," Trump told Fallon. "I've never seen anything like it." The comments sent the audience into a fit—one Trump didn't seem to comprehend. Cock-eyed, he reiterated his sentiment. "I feel terribly about it. Honestly, it's tough stuff."
As the GOP prepares for another round of primary debates, Trump's allegiance to the party is under intense scrutiny. The businessman's history with the Democrats is a stain on his record for many influential party members. His constant hobnobbing with Bill Clinton sends hermits racing to their yarn boards. Then there's Jeb Bush's attack ad "The Real Donald Trump," which sets out to unmask the mogul as a faux conservative. His quotes on The Tonight Show fan the fire. Is Trump undercutting the Republicans to give Hillary a leg up in the race? Or is he just a kooky guy?
Trump's Tonight Show visit will stand as one of his most level-headed, likable media appearances. He's sharp, he's casual, and most notably, he's entertaining without being a villain (shameless plugging for The Apprentice aside). He looks like a real candidate! Until Fallon goes off script, spooking Trump with questions about his ability to apologize. Then the last year in politics comes rushing back into perspective.
