Not surprised. Living in D.C., I saw it all the time. He did some stuff I disagreed with. It was weird that someone who held so much power was so nearby, and that they were another stupid human like myself.
It works to get you an answer. You can ask to be CEO of google or be admitted on a free ride to Yale too. There's a VERY improbable chance of getting accepted to either that way, UNLESS- you have positioned yourself to impress. How you ask and present yourself will go a long way in your odds of success. Being prepeared, selecting the right approach, being the best you, and not only brining value to the offer but being able to demonstrate that value in he time you have so they can understand what's being offered. The answer could still be no of course. That's life, there's no magic "one method" to "force" a yes, but there are some well established ways that tend to work and adding your own touch while tailoring it to the person are the only parts left. If they say no, ask someone else once you find a person worth asking.
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I'm in
*waits for someone to comment that a stupid trump hater like myself exists in the flesh*