They were 17, all brilliant senators, congressmen, governors, one physician and one businessman, all competing for the presidential nomination of the Republican Party. After months of debate, one by one they dropped —through shortages of words, ideas, style, popularity — but mainly money. One was left standing— his name Donald J Trump… the businessman… the least expected of all. One more race against his Democratic contender and he will be the 45th president of the USA. Some, maybe many, are still laughing. His ideas are outrageous, his language offensive, his style boisterous, roughhewn and unpolished, how dare he be so presumptuous to stand with them on stage? What does he mean by building a wall at the US border, to prevent more illegal immigrants other than the already existing 11 million, to enter the US and be allowed to work, drive and even kill American citizens, for amongst them are convicts, criminals and drug-dealers. They pay no taxes, they are given food stamps and once they have children, every aid is afforded them as legal citizens. Who pays for all this? The American tax-payer. Trump wants them out? He wants to build a wall? He's crazy. He will lose all the Latino votes? Moreover, he wants no Muslims allowed in the country during the immigration rush, unless they had legal papers proving who they were. He wanted no ISIS criminals sneaking amidst the crowd. Shocking. Muslims are horrified, Latinos are rebellious. But Americans started to cheer. Fed up with the lax behaviour of the present administration, they discovered a voice that was not ‘politically correct' like all the rest. Here is a man who says it like it is. He even bellows at women as well as men. How refreshing. He dares to say what everyone else only dares to think. Crowds followed him everywhere in unprecedented numbers. The Republican Party which had previously opposed him acknowledged him as their nominee, and even the “NEVER TRUMP” crowd started to warm up to him one by one, and endorsed him. What a turn-around. Even Florida senator, Marco Rubio, despite the harsh words exchanged during the debate, pledged to endorse him and campaign for him. When a shocked media asked why, the former senator replied: “It is easy compared to the prospect of a Hillary Clinton victory.” Speaking of Hillary she is still fighting a popular contender, socialist Senator Bernard Sanders, who has stirred the hearts of Young America by promising to give everything away for free. Where does he get the money — apart from 90 per cent taxation? He does not say… but he has the support of the minorities and the youth. Who does not wish to have everything for free. Of course it has been tried and failed. Sanders challenge is minor compared to her legal battles with the State Department, Justice Department, FBI, for violating Federal Record Keeping Rules. Americans describe her as a ‘Liar' and ‘Untrustworthy'. Who do they trust? The man who breaks every taboo, who speaks without filters, Americans are tired of that. He plays no political games. Americans are tired of that. His negatives are many. Why then has he received more votes in a primary competition than any Republican in history. It cannot be his hairdo, his manners or his panache. He speaks America's mind… that is why. Who is this real-estate tycoon, Donald John Trump? He was born on June 14, 1946 to a business-oriented family on both sides. He attended the prestigious boarding-school, Kew Forest Military Academy, then moved to New York Military Academy. During his senior year, he conducted drills, wore a military uniform and was known to be a strict disciplinarian. “He can be quite rough that fellow of mine”, said his father in an interview. He won't punch first, but if provoked he'll punch back harder”. He attended the Wharton School of Business of the University of Pennsylvania…which has no equal. Perhaps his work in construction has removed some of the polish one expects of a man so wealthy, so well schooled, but it did not diminish his attraction to beautiful women and their attraction to him. He was married three times, has five children; two girls and three boys. They all adore him. He hosted the famous NBC programme, “The Apprentice” which ran for over 10 years, and made him a celebrity. He built his own studio within his famous Manhattan Trump Tower, where he lives in the penthouse in a triplex of 36,000sq ft with his 3rd wife, Slovenian ex-model, Melania Knauss and their eight year old son, Baron. One of his major characteristics is his passion… for his work, his family, his country. His energy is endless. He added author to his many attributes when he wrote his best-seller, “The Art of the Deal”. “The Donald”, as he is affectionately called, always looks to the future for more enterprises. Besides owning tens of prominent buildings in New York and around the US, he has also built in Dubai, China, Turkey among others. Developer, author, TV personality, construction mogul, wine-maker, politician, he has motivated people to get involved in the political process. He says he started “a movement” and he has. He changed the traditional electoral map. Want a Trump tie? Trump cologne, Trump bottled water, Trump Golf courses, Trump home furnishings, cosmetics, vitamins, steaks... Enough? Will all this make him the next president of the US? Wait for November.
“Get place and wealth, if possible with grace If not, by any means get wealth and place.” Alexander Pope (1688-1744)
