During the initial intelligence briefings following Donald Trump's nomination, his campaign team became concerned about his apparent inability to absorb information from outside sources. There was a sense that he either didn't have the interest or possibly had a phobia regarding formal information demands placed on him. His reaction to the briefings was to resist written materials and dismiss explanations, indicating a deep-seated aversion to structured learning.

Bannon's observation that Trump hated school underscores this point, suggesting that Trump's attitude towards education and information gathering did not change even in the context of his presidential campaign. This behavior raised alarms among his staff, highlighting a significant disconnect between a leader and the critical information necessary for making informed decisions.