Avoiding the gotcha question - Donald Trump shows how

Radio and television interviewers just can't help themselves. The temptation to try a basically meaningless question to catch a politician out is just too great. How much does a litre of milk cost? What would the GST be on that cake? What's the name of the leaders of Islamic State, Hezbollah, al Qaeda and its Nusra Front wing in Syria?
That last one was what US right wing talk-radio host Hugh Hewitt wanted Donald Trump to tell him this week. And the Donald made a pretty good fist of replying when he didn't have a clue about the answers.
As Reuters reported the exchange:
"Do you know the players without a scorecard, yet, Donald Trump?" asked Hewitt, who will co-moderate the next official Republican presidential debate on Sept. 16 in California.
"No, you know, I’ll tell you honestly, I think by the time we get to office, they’ll all be changed. They’ll be all gone," Trump replied. "You know, those are like history questions. 'Do you know this one, do you know that one?'" ...
When Hewitt said it was not meant as a "gotcha" question, Trump responded: "Well, it sounded like gotcha. You’re asking me names that, I think it’s somewhat ridiculous, but that’s OK. Go ahead, let’s go."
Politicians everywhere should take note. Dismissing gotcha questions is an essential part of the interviewee's arsenal.

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