Donald Trump: “I seem to get along very well with the Tea Party. Part of it is a mutual respect. I have a great respect for the Tea Party.”

◼ Mr. Trump is a rock star for Republicans, but he’s never been easily categorized. - Emily Miller/Washington Times

The billionaire developer was heading down the hall for an interview with me at The Washington Times video booth, but about a hundred fans swarmed over him to take a photo and shake his hand. We had to do the interview in a room protected by his personal security staff.

Mr. Trump is a rock star for Republicans, but he’s never been easily categorized.

So I asked him straight out if he considers himself a member of the Tea Party.

“I certainly seem to be in a sense. They like me, and I like them. And we have very much the same principles,” Mr. Trump answered. “When I speak to the Tea Party, they have the biggest crowd of anybody.”