Maybe he didn't have to be all that clever.
Frankly, what I'm hearing is that his group at the White House is currently in chaos. He wasn't qualified for this position, didn't do the research, and is surrounding himself with equally clueless people. I mean that Stephen Miller guy, what was he smoking the other day??? National Security Ddviser Flynn was just caught and had to resign/be fired. Kelly Ann and Spicer have no choice but to spin at all costs. I don't think this can end well, heh.
I wouldn't compare this to Hitler though, it's much closer to Nixon. Sooner or later, someone in the administration is going to get caught in a compromising position.