Twice this month, the presumptive Republican nominee has seemed to act against his own political interests after tumultuous events -- the Orlando terror attack and the U.K.'s Brexit vote -- that should have offered him political openings.

Trump's inconsistent and often self-congratulatory response to such crises misses opportunities to portray himself and his insurgent, populist campaign as delivering the right message for testing times. It's also luring Trump into a trap set by his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, who says he lacks the temperament and knowledge needed of a commander-in-chief. And it's left Trump behind -- sometimes badly -- in the polls

Trump is joined by his family as he is sworn in as President on January 20.

Trump is joined by his family as he is sworn in as President on January 20.

Trump walks on stage with his family after he was declared the election winner on November 9. "Ours was not a campaign, but rather, an incredible and great movement," he told his supporters in New York.

Trump walks on stage with his family after he was declared the election winner on November 9. "Ours was not a campaign, but rather, an incredible and great movement," he told his supporters in New York.

Trump apologizes in a video, posted to his Twitter account in October, for vulgar and sexually aggressive remarks he made a decade ago regarding women. "I said it, I was wrong and I apologize," Trump said, referring to lewd comments he made during a previously unaired taping of "Access Hollywood." Multiple Republican leaders rescinded their endorsements of Trump after the footage was released.

Trump faces Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in the first presidential debate, which took place in Hempstead, New York, in September.

Trump delivers a speech at the Republican National Convention in July, accepting the party's nomination for President. "I have had a truly great life in business," he said. "But now, my sole and exclusive mission is to go to work for our country -- to go to work for you. It's time to deliver a victory for the American people."

Trump delivers a speech at the Republican National Convention in July, accepting the party's nomination for President. "I have had a truly great life in business," he said. "But now, my sole and exclusive mission is to go to work for our country -- to go to work for you. It's time to deliver a victory for the American people."

Trump speaks during a campaign event in Evansville, Indiana, on April 28. After Trump won the Indiana primary, his last two competitors dropped out of the GOP race.

Trump speaks during a campaign event in Evansville, Indiana, on April 28. After Trump won the Indiana primary, his last two competitors dropped out of the GOP race.

Trump -- flanked by U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio, left, and Ted Cruz -- speaks during a CNN debate in Miami on March 10. Trump dominated the GOP primaries and emerged as the presumptive nominee in May.

Trump -- flanked by U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio, left, and Ted Cruz -- speaks during a CNN debate in Miami on March 10. Trump dominated the GOP primaries and emerged as the presumptive nominee in May.

Trump speaks in Sarasota, Florida, after accepting the Statesman of the Year Award at the Sarasota GOP dinner in August 2012. It was shortly before the Republican National Convention in nearby Tampa.

Trump speaks in Sarasota, Florida, after accepting the Statesman of the Year Award at the Sarasota GOP dinner in August 2012. It was shortly before the Republican National Convention in nearby Tampa.

Trump poses with Miss Universe contestants in 2011. Trump had been executive producer of the Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants since 1996.

Trump poses with Miss Universe contestants in 2011. Trump had been executive producer of the Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants since 1996.

Trump appears on the set of "The Celebrity Apprentice" with two of his children -- Donald Jr. and Ivanka -- in 2009.

Trump appears on the set of "The Celebrity Apprentice" with two of his children -- Donald Jr. and Ivanka -- in 2009.

For "The Apprentice," Trump was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in January 2007.

For "The Apprentice," Trump was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in January 2007.

Trump wrestles with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin at WrestleMania in 2007. Trump has close ties with the WWE and its CEO, Vince McMahon.

Trump wrestles with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin at WrestleMania in 2007. Trump has close ties with the WWE and its CEO, Vince McMahon.

Trump attends the U.S. Open tennis tournament with his third wife, Melania Knauss-Trump, and their son, Barron, in 2006. Trump and Knauss married in 2005.

Trump attends the U.S. Open tennis tournament with his third wife, Melania Knauss-Trump, and their son, Barron, in 2006. Trump and Knauss married in 2005.

Trump attends a news conference in 2005 that announced the establishment of Trump University. From 2005 until it closed in 2010, Trump University had about 10,000 people sign up for a program that promised success in real estate. Three separate lawsuits -- two class-action suits filed in California and one filed by New York's attorney general -- argued that the program was mired in fraud and deception. Trump's camp rejected the suits' claims as "baseless." And Trump has charged that the New York case against him is politically motivated.

A 12-inch talking Trump doll is on display at a toy store in New York in September 2004.

A 12-inch talking Trump doll is on display at a toy store in New York in September 2004.

An advertisement for the television show "The Apprentice" hangs at Trump Tower in 2004. The show launched in January of that year. In January 2008, the show returned as "Celebrity Apprentice."

An advertisement for the television show "The Apprentice" hangs at Trump Tower in 2004. The show launched in January of that year. In January 2008, the show returned as "Celebrity Apprentice."

Trump dips his second wife, Marla Maples, after the couple married in a private ceremony in New York in December 1993. The couple divorced in 1999 and had one daughter together, Tiffany.

Trump dips his second wife, Marla Maples, after the couple married in a private ceremony in New York in December 1993. The couple divorced in 1999 and had one daughter together, Tiffany.

Trump and singer Michael Jackson pose for a photo before traveling to visit Ryan White, a young child with AIDS, in 1990.

Trump and singer Michael Jackson pose for a photo before traveling to visit Ryan White, a young child with AIDS, in 1990.

Trump signs his second book, "Trump: Surviving at the Top," in 1990. Trump has published at least 16 other books, including "The Art of the Deal" and "The America We Deserve."

Trump attends the opening of his new Atlantic City casino, the Taj Mahal, in 1989.

Trump attends the opening of his new Atlantic City casino, the Taj Mahal, in 1989.

Trump uses his personal helicopter to get around New York in 1987.

Trump uses his personal helicopter to get around New York in 1987.

Trump was married to Ivana Zelnicek Trump from 1977 to 1990, when they divorced. They had three children together: Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric.

Trump was married to Ivana Zelnicek Trump from 1977 to 1990, when they divorced. They had three children together: Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric.

Trump attends an event to mark the start of construction of the New York Convention Center in 1979.

Trump attends an event to mark the start of construction of the New York Convention Center in 1979.

Trump stands with Alfred Eisenpreis, New York's economic development administrator, in 1976 while they look at a sketch of a new 1,400-room renovation project of the Commodore Hotel. After graduating college in 1968, Trump worked with his father on developments in Queens and Brooklyn before purchasing or building multiple properties in New York and Atlantic City, New Jersey. Those properties included Trump Tower in New York and Trump Plaza and multiple casinos in Atlantic City.

Trump stands with Alfred Eisenpreis, New York's economic development administrator, in 1976 while they look at a sketch of a new 1,400-room renovation project of the Commodore Hotel. After graduating college in 1968, Trump worked with his father on developments in Queens and Brooklyn before purchasing or building multiple properties in New York and Atlantic City, New Jersey. Those properties included Trump Tower in New York and Trump Plaza and multiple casinos in Atlantic City.

Trump, center, wears a baseball uniform at the New York Military Academy in 1964. After he graduated from the boarding school, he went to college. He started at Fordham University before transferring and later graduating from the Wharton School, the University of Pennsylvania's business school.

Trump, center, wears a baseball uniform at the New York Military Academy in 1964. After he graduated from the boarding school, he went to college. He started at Fordham University before transferring and later graduating from the Wharton School, the University of Pennsylvania's business school.

Trump, center, stands at attention during his senior year at the New York Military Academy in 1964.

Trump, center, stands at attention during his senior year at the New York Military Academy in 1964.

Trump, left, in a family photo. He was the second-youngest of five children.

Trump, left, in a family photo. He was the second-youngest of five children.

Trump at age 4. He was born in 1946 to Fred and Mary Trump in New York City. His father was a real estate developer.

Trump at age 4. He was born in 1946 to Fred and Mary Trump in New York City. His father was a real estate developer.

President-elect Donald Trump has been in the spotlight for years. From developing real estate and producing and starring in TV shows, he became a celebrity long before winning the White House.

President-elect Donald Trump has been in the spotlight for years. From developing real estate and producing and starring in TV shows, he became a celebrity long before winning the White House.

Furthermore, Trump's off-the-cuff performance, on display during a whirlwind visit to Scotland this weekend, suggests the clear, targeted message he delivered in an anti-Clinton speech last week remains an exception in an unscripted campaign that still appears prone to stepping on political land mines.

Trump's free flowing style and unconventional political persona played a key role in his success in dispatching what had been billed as the most talented crop of Republican primary candidates in a generation. But it is less clear those skills translate to a general election audience, especially with the focus increasingly on the personal and leadership qualities of candidates vying to be the most powerful politician in the world.

Clinton delivered a disdainful review Sunday of Trump's performance in Scotland during her first public comments on Britain's vote to withdraw from the European Union, lumping him in with U.S. foe and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"We need leaders ... who understand how to work with other leaders to manage risks, who understand that bombastic comments in turbulent times can actually cause more turbulence and who put the interests of the American people ahead of their personal business interests," Clinton said in Indianapolis. "We have got to be clear about this: No one should be confused about America's commitment to Europe -- not an autocrat in the Kremlin, not a presidential candidate on a Scottish golf course."

The real estate mogul blamed the press Monday for getting his point wrong and ignoring the calls he got right.

"The media is unrelenting. They will only go with and report a story in a negative light. I called Brexit (Hillary was wrong), watch November," Trump tweeted

Chance for gravitas

Trump's trip had loomed as a chance for him to show some gravitas on the global stage. His visit to Trump-branded golf resorts in Turnberry and Aberdeen unfolded on Friday just hours after Britain voted to quit the E.U. after more than four decades.

Flying into Europe's worst political storm of the post-war era, Trump could have demonstrated presidential-level cool, the depth of a tycoon steeped in global business and avoided inflaming the political wounds of his hosts.

But his message that U.K. voters had chosen to take their country back just like Americans can do in November was diluted by his own subsequent comments.

Trump broke the convention that politics stops at the water's edge, blaming President Barack Obama for splitting Europe after he campaigned against Brexit and mocking Clinton for coming down on the losing side.

"I felt that what happened was going to happen," Trump told reporters in Aberdeen on Saturday.

"We have a President and we have somebody running for president, Hillary Clinton, honestly look at their record, they don't know what they're doing."

Given that many referendum themes -- a grassroots revolt against elites, anxiety over immigration, and a backlash among working people bypassed by globalization -- were similar to those driving his own campaign, Trump could have also staked out a leadership position in an insurgent wave sweeping the Western world and democratic legitimacy for his causes.

Instead, he barged into sensitive feelings between pro-EU Scotland and anti-E.U. England. He seemed as concerned with an on-course sprinkler system as with the geopolitical cataclysm unfolding around him and suggested currency contagion unleashed by the vote could actually be a good thing for his business.

"If the pound goes down, they're going to do more business. When the pound goes down, more people are coming to Turnberry, frankly," Trump said on Friday in remarks that have already been turned into a Clinton attack ad.

Trump hardly projected presidential savvy -- and he didn't seem to care, unlike presidential nominees in previous campaigns who have been desperate to showcase top-level leadership skills on their own foreign trips.

For instance, Trump led reporters traveling with him on a bizarre rolling news conference conducted on the tees of his picturesque links that weaves through towering coastal dunes north of Aberdeen. And he seemed keen to dance on the metaphorical grave of British Prime Minister David Cameron, who had just resigned after losing the referendum vote.

The billionaire's Scottish diversion was not the first time he had appeared to detract from his own message.

Orlando response

It was the same story after the rampage by a U.S.-born Muslim at an Orlando gay nightclub two weeks ago, when Trump's swift, inflammatory and self-congratulatory response robbed him of a chance to dent the anti-terror policy advocated by Clinton and the Democratic Obama administration.

The former secretary of state has put Trump's temperament and response to crises at the center of her campaign, arguing he lacks the experience, knowledge and decorum demanded of a commander-in-chief.

"Every time there is a significant national or global event, Donald Trump proves again that he is temperamentally unfit for the job," said Clinton's senior advisor Jake Sullivan on a conference call with reporters on Friday.

"At this point, there is an emerging Donald Trump playbook in reaction to crisis," said Sullivan, accusing Trump of indulging in "pathological self-congratulation," ignoring advisors, making up facts, and talking about what's good for himself, and not the nation.

Clinton's campaign amplified its message this weekend with web videos and ads lampooning Trump's visit to his golf courses in Scotland, designed to convince voters he sorely lacks the mental capacity to be President.

Trump was thrown on the defensive by Clinton's attacks and took to his Twitter account to hit back.

"Crooked Hillary Clinton, who called BREXIT 100% wrong (along with Obama), is now spending Wall Street money on an ad on my correct call," Trump wrote.

In another Tweet, Trump added: "Clinton is trying to wash away her bad judgement call on BREXIT with big dollar ads. Disgraceful!"

Getting an assist

Trump also got an assist from Bob Corker, the powerful chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who has previously expressed frustration with the tone and the substance of the Trump campaign, but said the former reality star did well in Scotland.

"I thought it was one of his best events. I'm sorry -- I know I'm an outlier," Corker told Jake Tapper on CNN's "State of the Union." "He knew reporters were going to ask him about 'Brexit' -- I thought it was one of his best events."

Still, Trump's challenging few weeks have left him trailing in the polls -- an unusual position for a candidate who dominated the Republican primary for more than a year.

A new Washington Post/ABC News poll published Sunday put Trump down 12 points. A Wall Street Journal/NBC News survey, however, put the gap at only five points.

The Post poll suggested that Clinton's gambit against Trump is drawing blood because 64% said he was not qualified to serve as President. Seventy percent of those asked said that the idea of Trump made them anxious.

That leaves Trump work to do with only four-and-a-half months until Election Day -- and refining the clarity of his attacks on Clinton and presenting his own candidacy in a more appealing light will test his revamped campaign team.

"Putting forth your message cleanly and sharply is the key right now," Kayleigh McEnany, a Trump supporter and CNN contributor said Sunday.

"Coming-out of Brexit, Donald Trump really has an opportunity to say my message of bringing jobs home and my message of not letting ISIS terrorists come within our borders is something that has resonated across the world," she said. "Here is an opportunity now to drive home that message and he needs to do so forcefully in order to change these numbers."