Donald Trump's 'Esquire' Cover Sends A Message

The February issue of Esquire is set to hit the web Wednesday, and its cover story on the top GOP presidential candidate is already making its own news. The storied publication appears to have a strong relationship with the presidential hopeful, who has granted them what appears to be unfettered access. Donald Trump's "Hater in Chief" Esquire cover sends a telling statement to the American public: Voters are angrier than they were during the past election cycle, and Trump may never take his role as candidate seriously.

Editor-in-chief David Granger penned a letter about the piece, saying that Trump took the time to call him while in the midst of the interview to discuss how he'd beaten Ben Carson and to pull the ultimate business move: excessive schmoozing. Trump listed off resort towns in Florida he has properties in, and told Granger to call him and "we'll play, OK?" Trump's complete lack of awareness is perhaps the most shocking part. Granger wrote:

I don't think Donald has any real idea of the effect he's having on the country beyond the cheering crowds and the newspaper headlines. But, for him, that's plenty. He's an entertainer; he's giving his audience what it wants. The idea that his words have consequences never penetrates. The idea that Open Carry members' harassment of mosques in Texas could have something to do with him just never occurs to him.

Esquire also teamed up with NBC News and Survey Monkey for a survey on anger and pressing issues facing America. The results subtly highlight just why Trump has been such a successful candidate. Over 3,000 adults participated in what Esquire is calling the American rage survey, which is also available online. The magazine's main takeaways are that half of those who participated are angrier now than they were one year ago, and of them, white Americans in the middle of the middle class are the most frustrated. This appears to be Trump's fan base. Coverage from GQ of a Trump rally in Iowa flat-out describes supporters as appearing "pissed."

So what does the Donald have to say about his candidacy? Despite Granger's claim that Trump's only interest is the entertainment he brings to his rallies and campaign stops, the GOP frontrunner insinuates that he trulywants to be president:

Some people do it to lose. Some people do it just to get in the game. I mean, you look at some of these guys running, they have no chance, and you say, 'What are they doing?' But I didn't do it for that.

The print edition of the February issue of Esquire is set to hit newsstands the week of January 11. Trump's full interview with the magazine is already available behind a paywall on the magazine's website for those too eager to wait to read it.