provocateur

Trump has “total faith in his own gut instincts” — over and above formal vetting — and “relishes playing the role of provocateur, with a special focus on ‘owning the libs,’” Rowland said.

“Feel free to correct me when I am wrong. Ultimately, it’s about being a provocateur of dialogue.”

But the idea of handling such a gleeful provocateur with kid gloves seems to somehow miss the point of De Palma’s work.

Republicans are warning that Trump’s "provocateur" tactics and personal attacks against Vice President Kamala Harris threaten his chances of winning the presidential election in November.

So beyond the professional provocateurs in Washington and the right-wing media, Republicans have decided to say as little as possible.