Ruddy to NY Times: Trump Not Intentionally Divisive

President Donald Trump doesn't intend to be divisive when he speaks out on issues such as national anthem protests, but he probably should hold his fire for bigger battles, Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy says.

"I don’t think his intention is to be divisive," Ruddy, who is friends with Trump, told The New York Times in an analysis piece published online Sunday. "He wants to be viewed as strong but also someone who speaks the truth as he sees it and not afraid what the establishment says about it. He enjoys a fight and a challenge, so that may play into some of this."

The Times' Peter Baker noted that, "Never in modern times has an occupant of the Oval Office seemed to reject so thoroughly the nostrum that a president’s duty is to bring the country together." Baker dubbed Trump "America's apostle of anger, its deacon of divisiveness" for his propensity to hit back, even at the least of slights.

"My own view," Ruddy told Baker, "is that he should adapt Floyd Mayweather’s boxing style — hold most of his punches for big opportunities, and tire out your opponents for a win in later rounds."