I've waffled back and forth on trumps true intentions. With all the resources money and campaigning he and his family have thrown into this thing now, I have to believe his intent is sincere at this point, even if it wasn't at some point before.
I think he was as surprised as anyone that he got the nod. I think he wanted to test the waters and get in to shake it up enough to make a dent and then get out. I think that he thought he could affect the race, not win it. But now he's won it. And wants that last notch on his career built. It's the only thing he hasn't done in his career and frankly the only thing left to do for him. He is looking at this as his crowning achievement and the last chapter of his legacy.
I have to think he's been all in from the start. In addition, given his Trump Tower sized ego, I don't think the man has been surprised by any of it. Prepared to handle any of it? That's a whole other story.
I say he was all in because if you think back to how it all started, he came out guns-a-blazin' with his comments on immigration. Businesses, networks, beauty pageants, golf tourneys etc. were disassociating themselves from him quicker than Bama cut ties with Tom Al-Betar....wait....bad analogy. We've all said he may suck royally at teh politics, but the guy is one of the most savvy business men in the world. I don't think he allows all that to happen if he's not jumping in with both feet and saying damn the consequences.