He really has never been as abrasive as his opponents paint him. I have cringed at times when he makes up insulting characterizations for his political opponents and when he says unnecessarily insulting things about this or that person--I really really wish he wouldn't do that--but he is who he is. And he is never really malicious or vindictive. He would quip that Hillary should be in jail but when he had the power to order an investigation of her, he was unequivocal that he had no interest in prosecuting Hillary Clinton.
Campaign rhetoric from any candidate should rarely be interpreted as what they really think about somebody.
Trump is vile and stupid.