Two weeks ahead of Labor Day, a time that pundits often say is when the general election race actually begins (then why put us through the last year and a half), Donald Trump seems to be attempting an actual pivot under the stewardship of his new campaign manager, Breitbart’s Stephen Bannon.

Yesterday, Trump did something extraordinary (for Trump): He used the word “regret.” He didn’t specify what exactly he regretted, and he certainly didn’t mean it, but he used the actual word.

TRUMP: Sometimes speaking in the heat of debate you say the wrong thing. I've done that. I regret it.https://t.co/PT3rHl6gEJ

— FOX & Friends (@foxandfriends) August 18, 2016

The media (except for the NYTimes) is loving it, because for them, it might mean a horse until November.

Twitter, however, ain’t buying it.

.@joyannreid Joy, Trump gave one of those non-apology apologies: non-specific, loaded with “if’s”, and uses “regret” instead of “sorry.”

— Harold Itzkowitz (@HaroldItz) August 19, 2016

Shorter Trump: I regret stuff that will remain nameless pic.twitter.com/8bpZjP9GcP

— Michael Cohen (@speechboy71) August 19, 2016

So, to sum up the Trump speech, he expressed regret for being "too honest" about the controversial things he's said. Too honest.

— Sopan Deb (@SopanDeb) August 19, 2016

Trump has been obnoxious for 70 years. Now, facing the prospect of humiliating defeat, he's claiming to regret his behavior. Believe it?

— Josh Greenman (@joshgreenman) August 19, 2016

No - will he REMEMBER expressing regret?

RT @AshleyRParker The real question: Will Trump regret expressing regret?

— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) August 19, 2016

Trump's regret is exactly like a job interview where you say your greatest weakness is that you work too hard.

— Jeet Heer (@HeerJeet) August 18, 2016

#ManyPeopleAreSaying they regret voting for Trump in primary & thought he was the "Apprentice dude" not a racist dummy.

— KLF (@composthappened) August 10, 2016

This is why Trump all of a sudden has regret. Not because he's truly remorseful, but because he's losing. https://t.co/5vvBLHm5SZ

— Texas Beth (@Beth7316) August 19, 2016

We teach our kids an apology includes "I'm sorry." It's specific, sincere & requires eye contact w/ those offended. Trump did not apologize.

— Tanya (@tgreene319) August 19, 2016

Like Trump, I regret somethings sometimes. I recognize now that I should have embraced Harambe sooner. #makingamends pic.twitter.com/jnbb5z7Udw

— (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) August 19, 2016

No, Mary Elizabeth Winstead has nothing to do with this post, but who would you rather look at? Trump? Or her? You can follow Dustin on Twitter.

Dustin is the founder and co-owner of Pajiba. You may email him here, follow him on Twitter, or listen to his weekly TV podcast, Podjiba.

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