President Donald Trump's 81-minute news conference Thursday began predictably enough - with a first question tossed to a favored reporter (John Roberts) at a favorite network (Fox News) - before quickly careening into a televised drama that was as much public therapy session as a question-and-answer opportunity with reporters.



By turns fiery and freewheeling, deadly serious and darkly humorous, an animated Trump delivered bluster, falsehoods, insults, breaking news and, as he quipped at one point, more than a hint of his trademark "braggadocios."



But what was perhaps most remarkable was just how transparent and revealing Trump continues to be, the 45th president of the United States offering glimpses deep into the recesses of his mind as he gleefully took the nation on a tour de force of everything from the fate of Judge Brett Kavanugh (uncertain, but to be determined Thursday) to the job security of deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein (uncertain, but likely fine for now) to his relationship with the New York Times (uncertain, but definitely tortured).



Asked about the three women who have alleged sexual misconduct by Kavanaugh, his embattled nominee to the Supreme Court, the president offered an explanation for his instinctual reaction to side with nearly every powerful, accused man.



"You know why? Because I've had a lot of false charges made against me," Trump said. "It's happened to me many times. I've had many false charges . . . So when you say does it effect me in terms of my thinking with respect to Judge Kavanaugh, absolutely, because I've had it many times."



(The president then went on to incorrectly mention "four or five" accusers; in fact, he has been accused of sexual assault by more than a dozen women).



But Trump also publicly underscored his private frustrations with both Kavanaugh and the Senate confirmation process, raising the possibility that he could be convinced to cut his Supreme Court nominee loose depending on how persuasive one of the accusers, Christine Blasey Ford, is when she testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday.



"They're giving the women a major chance to speak. Now it's possible I'll hear that and I'll say, 'Hey I'm changing my mind.' That is possible," he said. "They're going to have a big shot at speaking and making their case. And you know what? I can be persuaded also. OK?"



Later, Trump twice offered something of an evergreen admission - well known to White House aides who often compete to be the last person in the room with the president - declaring, "I can always be convinced ... I could be convinced of anything."