Donald Trump is reportedly holding debate preps – including a meeting Sunday – but has spurned a formal coach or traditional rehearsals ahead of the first debate Sept. 26.
According to NBC News, the GOP nominee's second session was set at his weekend home in New Jersey, and was to include former Fox News chairman Roger Ailes, conservative radio host Laura Ingraham, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Rudy Giuliani and his eldest daughter, Ivanka, and her newspaper publisher husband Jared Kushner.
But Trump has so far resisted a GOP debate coach and rehearsals behind a lectern to practice timed responses, preferring to strategize more casually with allies – a decision once source thinks might hurt him.
"He learned the wrong lessons from the primary," the unnamed GOP debate coach tells NBC News.
Meanwhile, Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway tells radio host John Catsimatidis on his Sunday radio show "The Cats Roundtable," that Trump "is really preparing for the debate every day."
The remarks begin around the 5:40 mark.
"He is the most authentic person to run for president in a very long time, so, stylistically, that’s not going to change," she said, adding Trump "will be respectful" at the debate.