Donald Trump, renowned television personality, businessman, and 2016 GOP presidential candidate, must have been severed from his true calling of entertainment/real estate and thrust into the world of politics and consequently almost solely buoyed along by an infallible flamboyance. Granted that Trump might have experience dealing with folks internationally, but many facets, including his comments and general demeanor throughout his candidacy call into question his competence as a potential Commander-in-Chief. Trump’s foibles of mannerism become more critical to point out as his name rises through the polls reducing the names of some of his opponents to often laughable diminutives. Despite any controversy surrounding Trump’s presidential qualities, however, based on a poll conducted by CNN, he has managed to ascend to a 32% nomination support among the Republican Party with second place candidate, Ben Carson, trailing at 19%. Also, based on this poll from early September, all other Republican presidential candidates trudge through support rates of less than 10%. However, I wanted to take the time to assess some of the faults of this admired candidate among a great part of the American public. Is Trump the man you would like pulling the drapes in the Oval Office? 1. Opening Comments on Mexican Immigration/Immigrants The controversy surrounding Trump’s candidacy began at its inception. Trump announced his run for the 2016 presidency on June 16th and he stated, “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending the best. They’re not sending you, they’re sending people that have lots of problems and they’re bringing those problems. They’re bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime. They’re rapists and some, I assume, are good people, but I speak to border guards and they’re telling us what we’re getting.” Trump later said, “It’s about safety. Some of the people coming here are very violent people, not all.” These comments have led to a gale of outcry with Macy’s cutting its Trump clothing line, NBC and Univision refusing to broadcast Trump’s Miss Universe Pageant, and reaction from the Republican Party as well. For example, Senator Marco Rubio, born to Cuban immigrants, spoke up against Trump’s Mexican remarks, calling them “offensive, inaccurate, and divisive”. 2. Response to Comment on Barack Obama and Muslims While Trump was in New Hampshire and accepting questions from supporters, one man asked a question in which he also stoutly claimed that President Obama was not an American and was a Muslim. When the man also stated that Muslims are a major problem in this country, Trump did not deny or deflate either of these claims which has thrust him into the direct line of attack and attention of the media. Ideally, many believe that Trump should have politely refuted the man’s words and proceeded to take the next question; instead, Trump said, “We’re going to be looking at a lot of different things. You know, a lot of people are saying that and a lot of people are saying that bad things are happening.” 3. Unsavory Remarks towards Rand Paul at Second GOP Debate At the second GOP debate, the moderator asked Trump whether his own temperament would be suitable as a president who would “have his fingers on the nuclear codes”. However, Trump decided to take a distasteful detour before answering the question; his target was fellow GOP presidential candidate and Kentucky Senator, Rand Paul. Trump said, “First of all, Rand Paul shouldn’t even be on this stage. He’s number eleven, he’s got one percent in the polls, and how he got up here, there’s far too many people.” Rand Paul then commented in counter-attack mode saying, “Do we want someone with that kind of character, that kind of careless language to be negotiating with Putin? Do we want someone like that to be negotiating with Iran? I think, really, there’s a sophomoric quality that is entertaining about Mr. Trump. But I am worried, I’m very concerned about having him in charge of the nuclear weapons because I think his response, his visceral response, to attack people on their appearance: Short. Tall. Fat. Ugly. My goodness that happened in junior high are we not way above that? Will we not all be worried to have someone like that in charge of the nuclear arsenal?” The verbal joust did not end there, however, as Trump rebounded. He said, “I never attacked him on his look, and believe me there’s plenty of subject matter right there.” By now, I hope you have a stronger understanding of Donald Trump’s mannerisms and ideologies. The conversation with Paul highlights something astonishingly un- presidential in Trump’s persona; but the facts from the polls still remain. Donald Trump, with all his “visceral responses” and “sophomoric” humor, may be the next man to have his fingers on the nuclear codes.
Works Cited Agiesta. Jennifer. "Poll: Donald Trump Surges to 32% Support." CNN. 10 Sept. 2015. Web. 20 Sept. 2015. http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/10/politics/donald-trump-ben-carson- cnn-poll/ "Trump Stands by Statements on Mexican Illegal Immigrants, Surprised by Backlash." Fox News. FOX News Network, 4 July 2015. Web. 20 Sept. 2015. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/07/04/trump-stands-by-views-dangerous- mexican-illegal-immigrants-admits-surprised-by/ Lee, MJ. Gray, Noah. "Trump: I'd Consider a Muslim for My Cabinet - CNNPolitics.com." CNN. Cable News Network, 20 Sept. 2015. Web. 20 Sept. 2015. http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/19/politics/donald-trump-muslims-controversy/ Second GOP Presidential Debate from September 16, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WwzXkJd8aY
