President Donald Trump's approach to media interactions has long puzzled traditional communications experts, who see his style as a deliberate departure from the standard playbook for politicians. According to media trainers interviewed by HuffPost, Trump's tactics—from rejecting the framing of questions to his signature 'weave' speaking pattern—represent a calculated gamble that often pays off politically, despite violating conventional advice.
Beth Dawson, a communications expert who provides media training, noted that American politicians are typically trained to persuade while managing risk, with techniques like crafting three key messages, speaking in concise soundbites, and avoiding negative language. Trump, however, consistently ignores these norms. Instead, he questions the premise of questions, shifts conversations to his terms, and speaks spontaneously—creating an impression of accessibility and confidence for supporters while critics see a lack of discipline.
Eddie Tabakman, known as Eddie the Media Trainer, echoed these observations, calling Trump a 'singular communicator' who often does the opposite of what he recommends to clients. 'Honestly, I don't know if he has been media trained,' Tabakman said. 'Nothing I've seen from him over the past 10 years would indicate that.'
Both experts highlighted Trump's 'weave'—a rambling, stream-of-consciousness style—as particularly effective for him, despite making him harder to interview. While this approach risks producing controversial headlines, it also makes him appear less rehearsed and more relatable to his base. Dawson added that Trump's combative exchanges with reporters amount to 'negotiating what the conversation is about,' a powerful technique that shifts dynamics in his favor.
Despite the risks, the experts acknowledged that Trump's unorthodox method has proven effective, especially in rallying his supporters. However, they cautioned that this style would be disastrous for most politicians, as it sacrifices message control and increases vulnerability to gaffes.