The word “very” is perhaps the most overused and useless adverb.
People use “very” the same way they use “um,” and “like.” “You know?” It is a barren, lazy, dysfunctional word that does nothing but show how often we are simultaneously enthusiastic enough to add emphasis and too lazy to add specificity or distinction.
Donald Trump uses “very” frequently.
Very frequently.
I mean, um, like very, very frequently.
You know?
What follows are some statistics from the “commander-in-chief forum and some highlights of Trump’s incisive and informative speaking style.
Lauer said “very” 10 times, twice if you don’t include, “thank you very much.”
Clinton said “very” 11 times, ten times if you don’t include, “thank you very much.”
Trump said “very” 30 times, 27 times if you don’t include, “thank you very much.”
Clinton’s most repeated line: Matt, look…
Trumps most repeated line: I’m going to do very important things. I’m very, very good at doing things.
Very Trump highlights.
LAUER: Did you learn anything in that briefing — again, not going into specifics — that makes you reconsider some of the things you say you can accomplish, like defeating ISIS quickly?
TRUMP: …I was very, very surprised. In almost every instance. And I could tell you. I have pretty good with the body language. I could tell they were not happy. Our leaders did not follow what they were recommending.
QUESTION: How would you de-escalate the tensions? And more importantly, what steps would you take to bring Mr. Putin and the Russian government back to negotiating table?
TRUMP: I think I would have a very good relationship with many foreign leaders. I think it’s very sad, when you look at Barack Obama, as an example, lands Air Force One in China, and they don’t want to put out stairs to get off the plane. And he has to use the stairs that mechanics use to get up and down to fix the plane… I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Putin. And I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Russia.
QUESTION: I like what you say about supporting veterans and how they’re important. But I haven’t heard what the actual plans are to continue that support beyond words. How do you translate those words to action after you take office?
TRUMP: Well, I love that question, because I’ve been very close to the vets. You see the relationship I have with the vets just by looking at the polls. In fact, today a poll came out. And my relationship has been very good.
I have a very, very powerful plan that’s on my website that you possibly saw. … And by the way, Hillary Clinton six months ago said the vets are being treated essentially just fine, there’s no real problem, it’s over-exaggerated. She did say that.
LAUER: No, no, she went on after that and laid out a litany of problems within the V.A.
TRUMP: Look, I mean, she made up half of the things she said about me.
QUESTION: …As president, what specifically would you do to support all victims of sexual assault in the military?
TRUMP: It’s a great question. And it’s a massive problem. The numbers are staggering, hard to believe, even. But we’re going to have to run it very tight. I at the same time want to keep the court system within the military. I don’t think it should be outside of the military. But we have to come down very, very hard on that.
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