The more I read about Donald Trump's history and track record, the more doubtful I become that he would be a legitimate change agent in Washington. In fact, he readily admits that he's been an eager crony capitalist, listing the politicians he's donated to in order to advance his business interests.

Then there are more recent and troubling disclosures. Exhibit A: "Donald Trump talked politics with Bill Clinton weeks before launching 2016 bid."

Former president Bill Clinton had a private telephone conversation in late spring with Donald Trump at the same time that the billionaire investor and reality-television star was nearing a decision to run for the White House, according to associates of both men.

Four Trump allies and one Clinton associate familiar with the exchange said that Clinton encouraged Trump’s efforts to play a larger role in the Republican Party and offered his own views of the political landscape.

...The talk with Clinton — the spouse of the Democratic presidential front-runner and one of his party’s preeminent political strategists — came just weeks before Trump jumped into the GOP race and surged to the front of the crowded Republican field.

The revelation of the call comes as many Republicans have begun criticizing Trump for his ties to Democrats, including past financial donations to the Clintons and their charitable foundation.

False flag, anyone?

Writing at The Federalist, Mollie Hemingway added some valuable data from the debate as context:

1. He refused to rule out a third-party run, which would guarantee another catastrophic Democrat presidency
2. He refused to state he would support the GOP candidate in the event he loses the race
3. Claims he loves single-payer health care (insert curse word here)
4. He said insulting females is just part of his shtick
5. He admits to buying off politicians and operating as a full-fledged crony capitalist
6. Dealt painfully with a question about his serial bankruptcies in light of the government's pathetic fiscal situation: he was just working the system
7. He couldn't explain if or when he ever actually became a Republican
8. Badly fumbled a rather key detail of the Iranian nuke deal (24 hours vs. 24 days)

And I won't even get into Mr. Tough Guy's whining and moaning about tough questions from Fox News. This is the same guy who, as Charles Krauthammer observed this evening, says he'll stare down Putin, "kill the Chinese" in negotiations, and force Mexico to build a security wall.

But a few direct questions from Fox News are too tough for him?

I personally thought Chris Christie faced the toughest question of the night, confronted with a litany of New Jersey's debt downgrades under his governorship.

But it's Trump that's crying.

I don't trust Trump. His principles (if you can call them that) are those of DC insiders: work the system, take advantage of big government, and support crony capitalism.

And heaven only knows what kind of hijinx he's been up to with the Clintons.

I don't trust Trump.