Giuliani on Trump: 'Prone to Exaggerate' but Really an 'Exceedingly Rational Man

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani in interviews with two Israeli newspapers praised Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, noting that, though the businessman is “prone to exaggerate,” the “real Trump is thoughtful, intelligent and very well-educated.”

Giuliani described himself as an “informal adviser” to Trump, confirming press reports last month that the candidate had recently conferred with Giuliani on campaign issues.

“Maybe because of his background as the host of a reality TV show, I think he has sort of developed a television personality that is prone somewhat to exaggeration. The real Trump is not like that,” Giuliani said in an interview with Israel Hayom published Monday. “The real Trump is thoughtful, intelligent and very well-educated.”

Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani speaks during a press conference in Santo Domingo on Feb. 29. (Erika Santelices/AFP/Getty Images)

“He has extensive political knowledge, and he chooses to support good people, so I don't understand all the fear about him,” Giuliani said.

In an interview with the Jerusalem Post, Giuliani reiterated his characterization of Trump as having a proclivity toward exaggeration.

“He won’t like me saying this, but he is a man prone to exaggerate the way that he speaks, which is not necessarily the way he acts,” the former mayor told the Jerusalem Post.

“It’s part of being a good negotiator. When he sits down and makes a decision, he is an exceedingly rational man. You need to separate the rhetoric from the reality,” Giuliani said.

The former mayor said that he agrees with most of Trump’s positions, though not all of them. "Donald Trump has very strong views. I agree with most of them, not all of them. But he is a very good man,” Giuliani said.

Asked what he thought might happen if no candidate has the delegates necessary prior to the Republican convention, Giuliani said he could still see Cruz as the nominee.

"[W]e'll have to go with the person who received the most votes. That will likely be Trump. There is a small chance Ted Cruz could do it. I still see Cruz as a possible nominee," Giuliani told Israel Hayom.

The Israel Hayom reporter asked Giuliani if the Republican establishment would rally around Trump if he wins the nomination.

"They're all going to get behind Donald Trump,” Giuliani said. “Here is one thing we're all united about — we do not want Hillary Clinton as president of the United States … this is not a woman who should be president of the U.S."