I simply do not believe this was a serious attempt to actually become President. What we have is a lifelong huckster and fraud, who managed to get on the biggest stage ever to push his brand. I don't think it is really much more complicated than that.

Now, how has he helped the brand? That is the question. It will be very interesting to watch. I think he has done great harm to the Trump brand, and may have triggered a series of events that will lead to the collapse of that empire. We'll see.

This could be Donald Trump's Icarus Moment. He's definitely damaged the Trump brand and his kids must be worried about their futures.

He has exposed his slimy self to the world and the scrutiny has not been positive. It won't bode well for him.

I expect we will see at least one bankruptcy in the next 12 months. The way these guys work, they suck the resources our of the failing properties and stash them somewhere safe, then they put what remains through bankruptcy. So I am not predicting that Trump and those delightful children will go hungry.

But I can't think of any good reason why anybody would want to go into business with this guy.

Well, OK, Britebart and Ailes have a good reason. They have nothing happening anyway, so nothing to lose. But I can't see anybody putting serious money into any deal with Trump. The guy is unhinged.

There was a story recently (sorry, I can't find it right now) that the severance deal Mr. Ailes has with Fox News restricts him from competing against his former employer. It would be very difficult for him to work in a cable or internet news channel.

Mr. Ailes has a pretty full plate of his own and will have to focus on his legal problems stemming from the allegations of his sexual harassment of his employees at Fox.

Steve Bannon, of course, already has his own media operation and can just go back to that when Donald Trump loses the election. I think he's far to savvy to get into business with Mr. Trump.

Those are extraordinarily difficult to enforce.

Re: Bannon, I think he is the one to watch. Notice that it was Bannon who brought in the guy who will be in charge of "poll watching". Trump's whole campaign has been modeled around the garbage that Britebart puts out every day. Maybe Bannon doesn't need Trump. I'd say they need each other. Otherwise both will quickly slip back into the irrelevant margins.

it's also true that if you violate one, it'll cost you a lot in legal fees. This threat is at the heart of all of Donald Trump's hyper-secrecy. He's always bet that an employee won't be able to afford the legal costs.

As his empire dissolves in the coming months and years, I expect that some people will be able to come forward with their personal experiences. Then we'll see the full picture of Trump. I don't expect it to be flattering.

NDAs are pretty easy to prosecute if there is clear evidence of a violation. Non-competes are easier to work around. It may be a moot point now, considering the news that Ailes is walking away from Trump. But if those two wanted to work together, Ailes could take a position somewhere in one of Trump's companies, but effectively operate as the CEO of the company that competes with Faux. He would just have to be careful to say nothing publicly and not leave much of a paper trail.

when Donnie loses.

His loss next month will send him over the edge. I hope we see it, if only to continue to tie him to the GOP.
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At the end of November, I believe, his Trump University trials get underway, one of which is a RICO case. Additionally, a civil case involving his allegedly raping a 13-year old (some time ago, hence the civil case) will be getting started.

Best of all, his businesses have taken a tremendous hit. I've read that his hotels are off by 59% from last year and his golf courses are down by 24%.

If his presidential run was supposed to enhance the Trump brand, it has failed spectacularly!