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Donald Trump - business mogul, real-estate tycoon and star of NBC’s The Apprentice
- is one of the world’s most recognisable and outspoken figures.
In 2015, Forbes estimated his net worth as approximately 4 billion dollars. His often-controversial
comments on Twitter are followed by more than 4.3 million people.
On June 16, 2015, Trump put growing rumours to rest when he formally announced his intention
to run in the 2016 US Presidential elections, seeking to represent the Republican party.
However, accusations of inconsistent policies and erratic behaviour have fuelled a theory
that is gaining traction amongst the public and politicians alike: is Trump, in actual
fact, a secret Democrat agent, seeking to upset the Republican presidential race?
Trump’s signature style of unscripted speeches and no-nonsense attitude certainly sets him
apart from many of his electoral opponents. His supporters often quote these traits as
the reasons behind his popularity.
But is it all an act? The growing list of controversies that surround him has led to
protests from within the party that he is damaging their reputation Republican politician,
Carlos Curberlo, says this isn’t an accident. He argues Trump’s jibes are orchestrated
by the Democrats to discredit the party.
For example, during his Presidential Announcement Speech, his comments on Mexican immigration
were met with a great amount of hostility.
They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems
to us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists’, Trump
said.
One party official – who wished to remain unnamed – criticised Trump’s statement,
saying it would infuriate Hispanics, a group that the Republicans are aiming to make progress
with in 2016. They claimed Trump is ‘starting to look like a guy hand-delivered by the Democrats’
This isn’t the only time that Trump deviated from core Republican doctrine. At the Conservative
Political Action Conference, he suggested scrapping a basic party policy of reducing
the cost of US social healthcare and insurance. This is a surprisingly liberal stance.
Ever since he has been in the public eye, Trump’s official political leaning has fluctuated.
Between 2001 and 2009, his allegiance was to the Democrat Party and, over the years,
he has donated at least $330,000 to their cause. This sparked concerns over how dedicated
he could be to a Republican victory.
Critics also point to his friendship with prominent Democrats, particularly Hillary
Clinton. He has funded her political campaigns in the past, and she attended his wedding
to model Melania Knauss in 2005. Could their friendship indicate Trump is deliberately
sabotaging the Republican vote, so that Hillary would face much weaker opposition if she wins
the Democrat nomination?
Republican politician Carlos Curberlo described Trump’s interactions with the Clintons as
‘very suspicious’. Even celebrities like The Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence questioned
Trump’s motives, arguing that it must be either a publicity stunt or ‘Hillary’s
brilliant idea’.
But would Trump really be investing as much money, time and energy in his campaign if
it was all to help out the woman he has publicly dubbed ‘the worst secretary of state in
the history of the United States’?
Speaking on Fox & Friends in July 2015, he publicly refuted any idea that he and Hillary
Clinton could be collaborating against the Republicans. ‘Believe me’, he argued,
‘from Hillary’s standpoint, the one person she doesn’t want running against her is
Donald Trump’. However, there are arguments his condemnations and insults are a cleverly
devised plot to disguise his grander plan to help her secure power.
Nevertheless, there are undeniably a number of issues about which Trump’s opinions are
far more Republican than Democrat. He is strongly against gun control, in favour of capital
punishment and remains sceptical of climate change. These views correlate with the opinions
of typical Republican supporters.
Trump’s speeches have been drawing crowds of thousands and opinion polls indicate that
he is achieving significant early successes against other Republican candidates. A USA
Today poll released on July 14, 2015, showed 17% support the business giant. Runner-up
Jeb Bush is supported by just 14%.
However, Donald Trump is an unpredictable and variable character whose ultimate intentions
are difficult to know.
Is his bold and controversial approach to politics a genuine campaign for Republican
victory, or does he plan to sabotage the party in favour of Democrat loyalties?
Time will tell…