Usually when I say “play”, it kind of means to do something recreational and relaxing like play a game, or sports. But in the lesson Donald Trump, I can’t understand the word “play” used there.
http://www.englishbaby.com/lessons/7090/real_life/donald_trump
Donald Trump seems to be able to play to the Republican Party and to the people he wants votes for.
Donald Trump is tending to play on people’s fears as opposed to playing on trying to get people together.
In the first sentence, I guess the word “play” kind of means, to deal with or manipulate in a way as if you were playing a game. But in the second sentence, to play on people’s fears, sounds to me like to use and take advantage of people’s fears in a unethecal way. But then playing on trying to get people together, sounds to me, is just very confusing. I don’t get it.
Could you explain the word “play” in these to sentences please?
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