Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan's deliberate eight-year avoidance of meeting Donald Trump came to an unexpected end during a recent editorial board meeting.
According to Fox News, Noonan finally met the former president just weeks before the election, describing him as "hilarious" despite their history of trading barbs.
The conservative columnist explained her long-standing reluctance to meet Trump stemmed from a concern that his personal charisma might compromise her objectivity as a journalist. She had consistently declined invitations from Trump's team since 2015, believing that maintaining a "middle distance" would allow her to see him more clearly.
The encounter took place during Trump's visit to the Wall Street Journal's editorial board. Despite initial nervousness about potential drama due to their past conflicts, the meeting took a surprising turn. Trump's entrance was characterized by his signature grandiose presence, with Noonan noting his "huge" appearance in his blue suit.
Wall Street Journal editorial editor Paul Gigot's reaction to learning about Noonan's deliberate avoidance of Trump added an element of anticipation to the meeting. The tension in the room was palpable as they awaited Trump's arrival, with Gigot expressing surprise at Noonan's admission of never having met the former president.
Noonan shared Trump's unexpected reaction upon seeing her. Despite their history of mutual criticism, he immediately approached her with unexpected warmth. According to Noonan, Trump said:
You are wonderful. You are the most remarkable woman.
The meeting validated Noonan's original instincts about maintaining professional distance. Her decision to avoid personal contact with Trump during his initial presidential run was rooted in journalistic integrity. She believed that his personal charm might influence her ability to maintain objectivity in her coverage.
During the editorial board meeting, Trump's behavior alternated between on-the-record and off-the-record conversations. Noonan revealed that in these off-record moments, Trump displayed a range of characteristics, from humor to inappropriate comments about foreign leaders. This experience confirmed her initial concerns about meeting him earlier in his political career.
Noonan's recent appearance on Fox News with Bret Baier provided additional context to her observations about Trump's appeal. She noted that Trump's victory reflected a broader societal shift, stating:
I have a feeling that people are thinking that they don't really like all that they've seen of the 21st century, and they had a sense that Mr. Trump didn't like it either. That's why they elected him twice. And more than half the country, I think, is just in a major pushback against the establishment.
Noonan's encounter with Trump represents a significant moment in their professional relationship. The columnist's eight-year strategy of maintaining professional distance while covering Trump's political career concluded with this meeting at the Wall Street Journal.
The respected conservative columnist and former Reagan speechwriter found her initial intuitions about Trump's personal charm confirmed during their first meeting. Her experience demonstrates the complex dynamics between journalists and the political figures they cover, particularly when strong personalities are involved.
The meeting not only validated Noonan's earlier concerns about maintaining objectivity but also provided insight into Trump's ability to navigate personal relationships, even with critics. This interaction offers a glimpse into the complexities of political journalism and the challenges of maintaining professional distance while covering controversial figures.
Peggy Noonan's first meeting with Donald Trump occurred at the Wall Street Journal offices during an editorial board meeting, marking the end of her eight-year strategy of avoiding personal contact with the former president. The encounter revealed Trump's unexpected warmth toward a frequent critic while validating Noonan's concerns about how his personal charm might have affected her objectivity had they met during his initial presidential campaign.
