$TRUMP Dinner with Trump was a surreal experience. The room buzzed with anticipation as he entered, larger than life, with that unmistakable confidence. Over steak and Diet Coke, he spoke in bold declarations, effortlessly steering every topic back to business, branding, and winning. He listened less than he talked, but when he did, his eyes searched for reactions, always measuring the room. His charisma was undeniable, even to skeptics. The conversation danced between policy and punchlines. It wasn’t about agreement—it was about spectacle. As dessert arrived, I realized: this wasn’t just dinner—it was theater, perfectly scripted for prime time.
