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Trump’s Curious Candidacy

Note: This article is hosted here for archival purposes only. It does not necessarily represent the values of the Iron Warrior or Waterloo Engineering Society in the present day.

Donald Trump, the billionaire tycoon who I assume needs no further introduction, has been putting on quite the show for the world in these past few weeks. Within nearly the same breath as he announced his candidacy for presidency, seeking to be nominated under the Republican Party, he made very aggressive comments concerning illegal immigrants, particularly from Mexico, equating them to drug dealers, rapists, and such criminals stereotypes. Oh but don’t worry, Trump made sure to clarify by saying “And some, I assume, are good people.”

Of course, it is only expected that these comments were met very poorly by many notable people and corporations. Many companies who previously affiliated themselves with Trump and his business endeavours were quick to cut any strings they had associating themselves with him. Among these companies are ESPN, Macy’s, NASCAR, and NBC. Unsurprisingly, several entrants of the Trump-run Miss Universe Pageant, including the representatives from Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica, announced that they would no longer be attending or competing.
Out of the dozen or so potential Republican candidates, what makes Trump so special? Well, first off, he’s Donald Trump. Celebrities, even (or especially) disliked ones, attract media attention almost magnetically. Folks can’t help but pay attention to what the celebrities are up to—it’s part of the reason why I am writing this article in the first place. Is all publicity good publicity? If your last name is Kardashian, maybe. As Presidential candidate… not so much. Throwing out controversial opinions that alienate a significant percentage of potential voters isn’t generally recommended, and so many critics are, well, critical of Trump’s brashness about this very polarizing opinion.
Fortunately for Trump, his blunt manner of speaking and forthrightness can seem refreshing to voters when compared to the normal roundabout speech of politicians. For the citizens who dislike politics and how they operate, Trump might appear to be the lesser of many evils—that is, to say, the least ‘political’ of the politicians. He speaks his truths with little care for how they are perceived, and frustrated citizens can appreciate the no-nonsense, git-er-done personality he has developed for himself over the years—but even the most realistic painting of fruit can’t be eaten.
Numerous critics and news sources have pointed out Trump’s rather sudden change of opinion polarity on numerous political points compared to his previous declaration of intent for candidacy back in the early 2000s.  Where once he spoke in favour of universal health care, abortion clinics, and taxation of high-income corporations (all reminiscent of a democrat’s viewpoint), he now expresses distaste at Obama care, labels himself as ‘pro-life,’ and comments on how nobody likes higher taxes (all the opinions of a typical republican point of view).  Of course, we cannot fault an individual who finds that their opinions changed over the years, but we can ask just how many of these beliefs accurately represent the person, and how many are convenient opinions maintained purely for public image.

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