Gates: Trump has ‘serious policy-making side’

President Trump has two sides, the one the public sees and the “serious policy-making side,” according to former Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

“I think that there’s sort of parallel universes here for the administration. There is the sort of public piece that includes the tweets and things said to the press and so on and so forth and that sometimes can be pretty jarring,” Gates told MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on Tuesday.

“And then there is the serious policy-making side and the Donald Trump that people see in private meetings who’s thoughtful and considered.”

Gates said Trump “listens to people” and “seeks out other people’s points of view” before making decisions.

{mosads}”I think the thing we’re going to have to pay closest attention to is actually what he does,” Gates said.

“As he gets distracted by criticism, we can’t be distracted too much by some of the things that are said publicly.”

However, Gates said the administration should understand that the “first universe of public commentary does have impact on the second.”

Gates said he had a “very, serious, thoughtful conversation” with Trump behind closed doors. He also said the president was “very gracious” to him.

“He said, ‘You know, you were pretty rough on me,'” Gates said.

“And I said, ‘Well there were a lot of things said about national security in the campaign that caused me a lot of trouble. But now you’re elected, it’s important that you be successful in national security and I’ll do everything I can to help you be successful.’ “

The president is known for using Twitter to rail against his political enemies or members of the media.

In September, Gates wrote an op-ed blasting both Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton but singling out Trump for his “naive and irresponsible” praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Gates also at the time called the president’s plan for the Middle East a “dangerous approach oblivious to the reality” of the region.