Inside Trump's Fortress of Solitude

Trump Tower, a flashy skyscraper located in downtown Manhattan, New York, has long been considered Donald Trump's sanctuary of power.

Mr. Donald Trump at his office in Trump Tower, New York. Photo: Washington Post

However, since the afternoon of October 7, that special tower has suddenly turned into a lonely fortress, where its owner, Mr. Donald Trump, is increasingly being shunned by his own Republican friends, according to the New York Times.

The New York tycoon was asked not to attend a party meeting on the afternoon of October 8 in Wisconsin, where US House Speaker Paul D. Ryan and several other prominent government officials took turns on stage to criticize Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump so harshly that he looked like an isolated schoolboy. So for most of October 7 and 8, he stayed at home, a luxurious penthouse on the 66th floor of Trump Tower.

Occasionally, Trump’s close advisers and aides come to him with the main purpose of helping him prepare for the second debate with Democratic rival Hillary Clinton on the evening of October 9. Instead, they spend most of their time discussing how to deal with the fallout from the leak of a 2005 videotape in which Trump brags about groping women.

Sometimes, he opens Twitter, reposting posts from an account believed to belong to a woman who years ago accused former US President Bill Clinton, Hillary's husband, of rape.

Trump called several reporters, but his face lacked the usual excitement. He kept the TV on, watching CNN, which he said consistently covered him unfairly. He still turned to it the most, though, and was upset when he saw Republican officials condemn him one by one.

According to two anonymous sources familiar with the matter, Trump was shocked by a video published by the Washington Post on October 7, which showed him talking about groping and having sex with women while preparing to record the show Access Hollywood in September 2005.

Trump was told to be humble, and he seemed to feel that way when he released a video apology early on October 8. But Trump was criticized again for ending the announcement by digging into the Clinton scandal and not apologizing to his current wife, Melania.

For the New York tycoon, the criticism only serves as confirmation that no matter what Trump says or does, it cannot help him erase the hostility directed toward him, a source said.

Outside Trump Tower. Photo: Reuters

Inside Trump Tower on October 8, a series of plans were discussed. Mr. Trump and his advisers considered holding a joint television interview with Mrs. Melania. The idea stemmed from a 1992 appearance by the Clintons on CBS’s “60 Minutes” after model and actress Gennifer Flowers announced that she had an affair with Mr. Clinton.

The interview was quickly approved, despite Mrs. Trump’s apparent distaste for appearing on camera. But Nancy O’Dell, the former host of “Access Hollywood,” posted a statement strongly condemning Trump’s comments in the video. More recordings of Trump speaking rudely and vulgarly about women then surfaced on television, this time on “The Howard Stern Show.” The interview was quickly shelved.

The Trump support team gathered at the penthouse at that time included Jared Kushner, his son-in-law, eldest son Donald Jr., New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus.

Christie and Priebus told Trump that the situation with other Republicans was becoming increasingly dire. Some advisers insisted that attacking Bill Clinton’s extramarital affair would be key to reuniting the party.

Mrs. Trump and other family members planned to accompany him to the debate as a way to boost morale.

But the biggest source of encouragement for Trump at the time came from a small group of supporters holding signs cheering him on outside Trump Tower. His supporters scuffled with passersby, including a woman who told another woman in the group to go back to her “trailer.”

Trump could not stand still when he saw that scene. At around 5 p.m., he left his penthouse sanctuary and walked down the marble hallway, his son and campaign manager Kellyanne Conway following closely behind.

Trump walked down the street, startling the supporters gathered in front of the building. The crowd cheered and reached out to touch his vest. Trump just melted into the stream of enthusiastic fans.

Trump raised his fist in the air and smiled. He looked several years younger. He stood there for about five minutes. Before he went back inside, a reporter shouted, asking Trump if he would stay in the race for the White House.

“One hundred percent,” Trump replied curtly. He turned away and clapped his hands, both to encourage the crowd and himself.

According to VNE