That is, could Trump be deliberately throwing the election?
In my view, yes! Unquestionably! Trump is Ross Perot 2.0
Trump undermines anyone he dislikes whether they are Republican or not which is more real...there are good Republicans and horrible ones as in the Democrats or any other collection of like minded people who decide to club together
The problem, though, is that he's deliberately alienating whole segments of the electorate. Given that Trump is not a stupid man, that makes me highly suspicious.
I feel He has pledged himself to the truth and the real people on the ground and if that alienates then so be it, I see him as sorting out the real from the fake...and many will fall away and He may even lose for now to come back and win again, making him a man of integrity because he is not willing to fake it even if it makes him unpopular.
Bottom line: if he wishes to win the election, he can't keep pissing off those who would otherwise vote for him.
If I were a Mexican, a woman, a Muslim, a parent who's lost a son or daughter in battle, a veteran, etc. I wouldn't vote for the man even if I were a staunch conservative/republican.
I don't believe so.
I think The Donald started his presidential campaign for the same reason he started his vodka company: as a "mine's bigger than yours" gesture at perceived peers.
Unlike his vodka venture (where Trump had no competitive advantage), Trump's understanding of the dynamics of modern media allowed him to succeed far beyond his expectations. Now he is stuck with the nomination and a role for which he is not well-suited.