Positioned between the cameras, I strained to draw Donald Trump’s attention for a question, hearing a president striving to appear magnanimous.
Keep in mind that Trump can display warmth when he chooses, just as easily as he can be sharp.
Andy Burnham, who had only recently been mayor, found himself seated beside the world’s most powerful leader.
His advance comment that he was eager for the meeting seems plausible, yet a flicker of nerves was inevitable.
Burnham appeared somewhat nervous as the reporters entered, but the president’s compliments soon dominated the exchange.
Initially, journalists were expected to join the session shortly after the two leaders first met.
Instead, we waited while the private conversation unfolded, which ultimately gave them more material to share than a brief opening would have allowed.
Both Burnham and observers understand how volatile these free‑wheeling, live‑on‑camera meetings with Trump can become.
It is essentially a rollercoaster ride without any safety harness.
