Donald Trump’s contention for the White house: A Story of Controversial Campaigns, Narrow Escape and Divine Victory.
From A Real Estate Mogul to the 45th President of the United States
His journey to the white house was nothing short of controversial from the moment he declared his candidacy for the Republican Party in 2015 with his catchy promise “Make America Great Again’. He made many promises, notably restoring jobs and reducing immigration, especially by “building a fence’. His fellow Republicans quickly dismissed his announcement, claiming it was a political stunt, which he later proved nonchalantly not to be.
The Celebrity Candidate
Though he was seen as an ‘outsider,’ called a ”celebrity president” celebrity politics and even a ”clown” throughout his campaigns, his ability to stay in the headlines and control the narrative made him the unbeatable opponent to an ‘insider’ Hilary Clinton, who was politically established and seen as the winner even before the campaign started.
The Insider
It is worth noting how Trump’s victory in 2016 and his subsequent presidency reshaped the landscape of American politics in ways that are still unfolding.
As his political career continues to evolve, his path toward the 2024 presidential election has been anything but smooth. It is undeniable that, even as political’ insider,’ his challenges grew worse: from a tumultuous first term to a series of legal battles, political challenges, and a divided Republican Party. His attempt to reclaim the white house has been a journey fraught with obstacles.
2020 Election Results
Months after president Biden was declared the Victor of the 2020 election, Donald Trump refused to accept defeat, which led to a dramatic and divisive political climate, with the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot marking the climax . The riot left an indelible mark on Trump’s legacy, with many blaming him for inciting the violence. His opinion about the elections continues to put political officials and leaders in tough spots and even divided stances.
The aforementioned riot led to his second impeachment by the House of Representatives, making him the first president in U.S. history to be impeached twice. Though he was acquitted, the political damage was done, leaving Trump with a fractured base both at home and abroad.
In spite of the controversy, Trump’s core supporters remained loyal and supportive, which played a major role in laying the groundwork for a potential 2024 comeback.
Accusations and Criminal Investigation
During his stay in the White House and even after leaving, the number of investigations and accusations he faced were numerous. From the mishandling of classified documents to accusations of financial misconduct and election interference, to name a few.
These investigations and accusations became a central issue in the 2024 election, leaving his supporters claiming and believing that it was all a deliberate attack on their political movement.
His Rivals
Though he retained a loyal base, typically due to his promise of curbing immigration, Trump had to fight for dominance in a crowded field. He faced more politically formidable opponents. DeSantis, in particular, proved to be a strong rival, winning key endorsements and gaining traction among more moderate Republicans who were ‘playing it safe’. The animosity between Trump and DeSantis was no secret, often displayed in the media.
The emergence of other Republican challengers, such as former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, and others, added further complexity to Trump’s path to the nomination.
Remodelling His Brand
Following the Capitol riot, Trump faced tough battles in revamping his public image. The Republican Party seemed more fractured than ever, with various factions supporting different visions of the party’s future, which made it more difficult for him to win over moderates and independents.
In an attempt to remodel his brand, Trump leaned on issues that had helped him create his base at the beginning of his political career ,such as immigration reform, and anti-woke politics, among others.
However, his refusal to distance himself from the far-right fringes of the political spectrum alienated some moderate Republicans and independents, though many feared that it could lead to further polarisation in the country.
The 2024 General Election, A Narrow Escape
America was seen to be more divided than ever as the election drew nearer. On one hand, Trump’s continued popularity ensured that he remained an intimidating opponent, evident in his packed rallies and how his messages about restoring America’s greatness resonated with millions of voters who felt left behind by issues such as globalisation and rising inequality. Yet, with President Joe Biden running for re-election, this was perceived to be a high –stakes rematch between the two most popularising figures in American politics.
Donald Trump’s two confirmed assassination attempts (one in Pennsylvania at a campaign rally, on July 13, 2024, and another in Florida at the Trump international golf course while he was golfing on September 15, 2024), coupled with his record of the 2020 election aftermath, the January 6th Capitol riot, his impeachments and other accusations, acted as a bone of contention for his opponents. They further accused him of instigating these murder attempts as a strategy to win the votes of the population via a ‘pity cry’, amplifying their claims that he wasn’t fit to be in office. Meanwhile, his supporters saw these as an attempt by his opponents to simply discredit him.
Moving Forward
Trump’s continued and steadfast message motivated and gave hope to millions of Americans who believed in his vision of ‘’making America great again’’especially by curbing immigration and restoring jobs. His journey was faced with countless battles both internally and nationally. Trump’s ability to withstand these challenges and maintain a dominant position in the American politics remains a testament to himself and the world at large.
His unique resilience, his political brand, and his ability to connect with millions of disaffected voters make him a force to be reckoned with. The 2024 election promises to be another defining moment in his political saga, with the outcome likely shaping the future direction of both the Republican Party and the United States as a whole.
Donald Trump’s Battle for the Presidency can be summarised as: A Story of Controversial Campaigns, Narrow escape and Divine Victory.His inauguration and presidency is expected to redirect the world politics.
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