In a short amount of time, Donald Trump has tapped into the anger created by an out-of-control federal government that no longer listens to the people. His solutions to the country’s many problems make great sound bites — but what’s the substance beneath?
In this four-part series, Glenn looks at the man behind the message, including Trump’s early years as a Manhattan developer, his grandiose claims about business dealings and successes and, perhaps most telling, the language he uses when talking about women. Is Trump the kind of man needed to restore America to her founding principles — or is he just adding another notch to his belt and title to his resume? Is he a winner who wins all the time or is he a showman putting on the greatest show of his life?
Part IV: The Recent Years
On the campaign trail this election cycle, Donald Trump has been touting the importance of leadership and having the right people around you. When someone lacks any type of record in politics and government, the best place to vet their leadership credentials can often be who and what they publicly support. In 2009, Trump stated President Obama was doing a great job and gave him a “solid B+” for his first hundred days as well as saying he would hire him. Not only did he support Obama, but he also agreed with his appointments – most notably the projected Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton.
In 2010, Wolf Blitzer asked if Obama has “saved” us as a country and Donald noted that he indeed had. It was a totally different story in 2011 however, as Trump said that Obama had surpassed Jimmy Carter as the worst president in history. What changed Trump’s tune so drastically? Had Obama crossed him personally or in some other way? Or was it just that Mr. Trump was gearing up for a presidential bid of his own?
Whatever caused the change, Donald switched parties and became a Republican despite having been quoted as saying “the economy seems to do better under Democrats” and Mrs. Clinton, saying “he’s basically a Democrat.” Mr. Trump consistently touts his relationships with the Democrats and how he is best equipped to work with them, but is that just because he is still ideologically aligned with them or because of his “negotiating genius?”
That will be for the American people to judge.
Listen to the Full Series on Donald Trump
Featured Image: Donald Trump