"In a candid discussion regarding the mechanics of President Donald Trump's hold on power, longtime Yale leadership scholar (and regular Fortune contributor) Jeffrey Sonnenfeld warned the president's chaotic style is often mistaken for incompetence when it is actually a calculated strategy. Speaking on the Raging Moderates podcast with Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov, Sonnenfeld laid out the thesis of his new book, Trump's Ten Commandments, while explaining Trump is "dumb as a fox," and business leaders underestimate him at their peril."
"Sonnenfeld, who frequently convenes top CEOs to discuss civic engagement for Yale's Chief Executive Leadership Institute, pushed back against the notion that Trump's controversial behavior is impulsive. "Just because Trump often appears convincingly ignorant doesn't mean he's stupid," Sonnenfeld said. "He's dumb as a fox. He has incredible street savvy." "We know from mythology and science across centuries and cultures that even foxes can get outfoxed on occasion,""
Donald Trump's chaotic style often appears incompetent but functions as a deliberate strategy to maintain power. He frequently projects convincing ignorance while demonstrating tactical street savvy and strategic awareness. Business leaders and institutional actors commonly underestimate his political and social influence at their peril. One effective method involves creating a continuous, layered distraction or "wall of sound" that diverts attention from substantive issues, analogous to musical production techniques. Persistent, direct engagement with influential figures and frequent communications reinforce his operational reach and ability to manage crises and narratives.
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