According to Michael Wolff's "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House," operatives within the political sphere had a clear understanding of the strategies involved in their roles, something that many candidates and officeholders shared. However, Roger Ailes believed that Donald Trump did not grasp this context. Ailes perceived Trump as disorganized and lacking a coherent plan, which set him apart from his contemporaries who were more strategic in their approach.

Ailes characterized Trump as a "rebel without a cause," suggesting that he operated solely on his instincts rather than following a structured program or ideology. Trump was simply himself, with no need for overarching principles guiding his actions. This perception highlighted the dramatic differences between Trump and traditional political figures, underscoring his unorthodox approach to leadership and governance.