No. I'm not kidding.
I believe it was very much scripted. It's right in line with the bannonist ideologues in the White House and the ideology of the types of speech writers Trump uses for big speeches like this - like Stephen Miller.
Reading a transcript of the speech vs a transcript of Trump speaking at rallies shows even more how much it was scripted. His language is Trumpian, but he spoke more full sentences, less random one word repetitions, etc.
By saying it was scripted and thought out, I am
not complimenting the speech by any means. Not one bit. I mean yes it's good to have things thought out, but I believe the speech was terrible nationalistic populism wrapped up with a few semi- reasonable ideas here and there.
Nikki Haley and others were dropping hints about all these ideas the speech would include. Reporters given a heads up in advance as well. This was the speech they expected. I have not read one knowledgeable commentator or analysis who believes it was off the cuff. (I'm not that smart myself so I read folks from the left and right and center.)
I have read some commentators who are. It favorable to Trump but think it was remarkable for how conventional it was! That's a very surprising assement to me: Dead Link Removed
Just because something shocks you or me doesn't mean it's was unplanned.