If you didn’t know any better, you could easily forget there are sixteen declared 2016 Republican presidential nominees. Many of the candidates are real life politicians with substantial resumes; a governor here, a former governor there, a senator here, a former senator there … but from the moment Donald Trump entered the race for the Republican nomination, he has sucked all the air out of the room with the way he instantly dominated news coverage.
Think what you will about Trump, that he’s an unelectable, egotistical, mindless windbag, but there is no denying he is the master of the art of self-promotion. The way he has been able to dominate not only the conservative, but also liberal, news media is pure genius. For a shameless guy like Trump, it doesn’t matter how stupid, how racist or how false the comment, it’s all good as long as brand Trump is front and center. The phrase “laughing all the way to the bank” comes to mind.
Sure he has taken a few financial hits so far for his outrageous comments, but those business opportunities pale in comparison to what lies ahead. And, to be clear, it is not the Republican nomination.
No, Donald Trump has made a name promoting his name. After all, here is a man who makes money putting his name on things. Surely a big book deal will be on the horizon as will be a new TV series, speaking engagements, appearances and so on. And how valuable is it for someone as self-absorbed as Trump to become a permanent footnote in the history books?
“The Donald” doesn’t care what damage he does to the Republican brand, it is all about brand Trump. No matter how ridiculous his behavior, the media will continue to lap it up. In the end, reality will set in among Republican voters and they will see Trump for what he is… an unelectable, egotistical, mindless windbag who is only out for himself and the almighty dollar.
We encourage him to continue. Both for the material it gives us and the damage it does to the Republican Party, which Trump is exposing quite nicely.
I can only believe Jon Stewart rues the day he announced his retirement. Trump is comedy gold!
John, You hit the nail on the head. Trump is all about Trump. Getting his name in the news, whether good ink or bad ink doesn’t matter. He is an absolute narcissist who only cares about his brand getting out there. With any luck, he runs as a third party and splits the GOP vote in half. That is my dream, but I really think that by the time next summer comes around, he will just be a distant bad memory in politics.
Trump will go down as a curious footnote to the 2016 presidential elections. If I’m wrong, this nation is in greater trouble than I already think.
Just think how boring the Republican primary would be without The Donald. Perhaps he might just might shame the other 15 on evolution when the hands go up to vote in the debate on the issue. Remember that shameful debacle last time around when only Huntsman said he believed in evolution (and by default science)?
That first Republican debate will no doubt set viewing records… all because of Trump. I know I can’t wait!