Aboard a mighty and powerful battleship, Trump's message lacked both might and power.
Speaking here, aboard the decommissioned USS Iowa one night before the second GOP debate debate, the frontrunner's typically lengthy, rambling, and crowd-exciting address lasted a mere 15 or so minutes and seemed to lack his usual, and much-adored, flair.
Trump did hit his usual talking points: immigration, deficits with China and Japan, as well as thanks the host for his endorsement from the "Veterans For A Strong America" group who invited him to speak on the ship.
"We have illegal immigrants that are treated better by far than our veterans," Trump said.
"It's not going to happen anymore."
But this speech had a new - and presumably unwanted - twist: the loud, raucous chorus of protesters let in from the street, chanting against Trump and his immigration policies.