Author, CNN commentator and New York Times journalist Maggie Haberman greeted the president-elect “Pariah, Felon” that of Donald Trump victory with a brutal, deep dive that also recognized the qualities that helped Trump regain power.

Haberman – rightly so considered an expert on Trump with deep experience reporting on the subject and a network of Trumpworld sources who give it to the minute insights – made an appearance on CNN a few hours before Trump’s possible victory Tuesday to deliver part of this overview.

She said Anderson Cooper that it was striking to see Trump speak so recklessly as the race drew to a close:

It’s quite dramatic: at a rally a few days ago, he declared that he should not have left the White House at the end of his term, despite his defeat and despite the victory of another president certified by the Electoral College.

And I’m thinking about shooting journalists. Once again, we are used to him saying things that are well outside the political norm. Most candidates don’t do this in the final days of the election and he generally hasn’t done it during its final days. We will see what effect this will have.

On Wednesday morning, Haberman greeted Trump’s overnight victory with a ruthless profile — co-written by Matt Flegenheimer And Jonathan Swan – whose title said it all: “Pariah, criminal, president-elect: how Trump managed to return to power.”

The article alternated between blunt assessments of Trump and cold reality, characterized by passages like this:

At his rallies he was often incoherent, denouncing the fictional brutality of Hannibal Lecter or the genitals of Arnold Palmer, but rarely boring to his most zealous supporters, who continued to enthuse over his fusion of politics and entertainment.

He showed some agitation during the election campaign: the man with the golden tower serving fries at McDonald’s.

Haberman answered his own question about the effect of Trump’s recklessness in the items conclusion:

Its closing events might seem almost tailor-made to upset late-decided voters.

The Democrats? “Demonic,” he said.

Journalists? If they get shot, he said, “It doesn’t bother me.”

Mr. Trump’s first term in the White House? “I shouldn’t have left,” he said.

The modulation would never come; it was never necessary, as Mr. Trump had wagered all along.

He still promises reprisals against his enemies and a mass deportation campaign.

He remains adamant that he has never lost an election and never could.

He always knows what his supporters see in him: the fury, the fight, the balm of “us” in a world of us against them.

He is who he is: the president-elect.

Watch above via CNN.

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