Always attack, never apologize and never admit defeat. They are the lessons that Donald Trump learned as a young man and a manual that has guided his life until now, when this businessman turned politician pursues his goal of returning to the White House despite his turbulent first term.
This Tuesday’s elections between the former Republican president and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris are the third in which Trump is running, but in none of the previous ones have the polls given him as many chances of winning as now.
This 78-year-old master of provocation has managed to revive a political career that seemed over when he emerged defeated from the White House in 2021 with a country divided by a controversial presidency that had an explosive end with the assault on the Capitol.
For Trump, the duel with Harris is not only an opportunity to rewrite his legacy, but also a question almost of personal survival given that returning to power would allow him to avoid the pending accounts he has with Justice.
A tycoon turned president
Born on June 14, 1946 in Queens (New York) to a family of German descent, Donald John Trump graduated in Finance, at the age of 28 he took over his father’s real estate company and built a millionaire empire not without controversy. for debts and tax evasion.
But his political career could not be explained without the fame he acquired thanks to the world of show business and television. He even hosted his own show, “The Apprentice,” in which he fired contestants who wanted to work for his company.
When he descended the golden escalator of Trump Tower in 2015 to announce his first presidential run, the Republican Party took it as a joke, but his ‘outsider’ image catapulted him to the nomination.
He promised to build a border wall and, against all odds, won the 2016 election over Hillary Clinton. The magnate had managed to connect with the white working class who felt victimized by globalization and wanted to make “America great again.”
Thus, Trumpism was born, one of the most important political movements in the history of the United States and which has influenced the populist right around the world.
An incendiary mandate
Since coming to power, Trump embraced insults and confrontation as a political style and governed by using Twitter. Although he popularized the concept of ‘fake news’ to attack the media, he himself was a great spreader of lies.
The questionable management of the Covid-19 pandemic and the racial unrest dynamited his re-election, which months before seemed assured by the good performance of the economy.
He lost in 2020 against Joe Biden although, true to his style, he never admitted defeat and spread the biggest of his lies: that of electoral fraud.
The courts threw out all of their lawsuits, but a mob of Trumpist fanatics stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021 in a last-ditch attempt to stop the transition of power.
“We will come back in some form,” Trump said as he left Washington repudiated by his allies and when he seemed condemned to ostracism.
The resurgence
But the tycoon never disappeared from the front line; He capitalized on discontent over high inflation and used his various judicial troubles to his advantage, including his indictment for the assault on the Capitol and the conviction for irregular payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels, the first conviction of a former president and which is still pending. judgment.
He campaigned with a mugshot as if he were a politically persecuted person and swept this year without breaking a sweat in the primaries of the Republican Party, which has been molded in his image and likeness.
A cult of the leader that reached its maximum splendor on July 13 when Trump narrowly dodged a bullet in an assassination attempt at an election rally, a scene that was immortalized in his iconic photo with his fist raised and his ear raised. bloody
The Republican has not moderated his rhetoric: he has suggested that he would be a “dictator for a day,” he has accused migrants of eating their neighbors’ pets and he has refused to apologize after a comedian at one of his rallies called him an “island of garbage” to Puerto Rico.
Although they live separately, his return to the presidency would also be the return as first lady of the Slovenian model Melania Trump, her third marriage after Ivana Trump and Marla Maples.
With an unmistakable blonde hairstyle and orange tan, Trump doesn’t drink, loves hamburgers and is very superstitious: campaigning in a McDonald’s he spilled salt and threw some over his shoulder as a spell against bad luck. There is a lot at stake.
Washington / EFE
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**Interview with Political Analyst Dr. Sarah Thompson**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Thompson. With Donald Trump and Kamala Harris both achieving early wins in the recent elections, what does this indicate about the state of American politics?
**Dr. Thompson:** Thank you for having me! The early wins for both candidates highlight a deeply polarized political landscape. Trump has managed to revitalize his support base, which remains loyal despite his controversial presidency and ongoing legal challenges. Harris’s victories reinforce the Democratic coalition but also signal that the party must be cautious going forward to maintain unity.
**Interviewer:** Trump’s past suggests he thrives on confrontation and controversy. How might these traits influence his campaign against Harris?
**Dr. Thompson:** Absolutely, his entire political strategy has revolved around being the provocateur. This approach energizes his base. However, it’s also a double-edged sword, as it can alienate moderates and independent voters. The key for Trump will be balancing that provocative style with a message that appeals to a broader audience, especially as he seeks to reclaim his legacy.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned Trump’s ongoing legal issues. How do you think these challenges might affect his presidential bid?
**Dr. Thompson:** These legal challenges loom large over Trump’s candidacy. On one hand, they motivate his supporters, framing him as a martyr battling a corrupt establishment. On the other hand, they could deter undecided voters and create distractions that disrupt his campaign message. Ultimately, how he handles these issues will be pivotal.
**Interviewer:** Comparing Trump’s campaign to previous ones, how does the current political environment differ?
**Dr. Thompson:** In past elections, Trump often positioned himself as the outsider challenging the status quo. Today, however, he is more of a known quantity—both beloved and reviled. Moreover, the changing demographics and issues facing voters today, particularly around economic inequality and social justice, have evolved, requiring a different approach.
**Interviewer:** as we approach the next election, what should voters be keeping an eye on regarding both candidates?
**Dr. Thompson:** Voters should focus on the candidates’ ability to address key issues like the economy, healthcare, and social issues. Additionally, watch for how each candidate navigates their respective challenges—Trump with his legal battles and Harris with the expectations placed on her as Vice President. Their strategies over the coming months will shape the narrative leading up to the election.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Thompson, for your insights. It will be interesting to see how this election unfolds.
**Dr. Thompson:** My pleasure, and I look forward to seeing how this dynamic political climate evolves!
