"In fact, up close, Trump was not the bombastic and pugilistic man who had stirred rabid crowds on the campaign trail. He was neither angry nor combative. He may have been the most threatening and frightening and menacing presidential candidate in modern history, but in person he could seem almost soothing. His extreme self-satisfaction rubbed off. Life was sunny. Trump was an optimist--at least about himself. He was charming and full of flattery; he focused on you. He was funny--self-deprecating even. And incredibly energetic--Let's do it whatever it is, let's do it. He wasn't a tough guy. He was "a big warm-hearted monkey," said Bannon, with rather faint praise."