Donald Trump first threatened to run for president of the United States in 1988.
Of course, he didn’t run that year. In 2000, Trump did enter the presidential race, but as a candidate for the Reform Party, at the urging of his friend Jesse Ventura. He eventually withdrew from the Reform Party’s primary contest.
In 2004, Trump considered challenging George W. Bush in the Republican primaries but decided against it. In 2012, the presidential bug hit Trump once again. Speaking of his chances of winning, Trump proclaimed “I maintain the strong conviction that if I were to run, I would be able to win the primary and, ultimately, the general election.” Trump decided against a 2012 run.
When Trump, in March 2015, decided not to renew his contract with NBC for his hit reality show, The Apprentice, speculation grew that Trump would once again give the presidency a try. But, of course, everyone had seen this act before. Few believed Trump would actually enter the 2016 race.
Can you fault Jon Stewart for being one of those non-believers? Stewart announced his retirement from the highly popular Daily Show on February 10, 2015. He stated he would leave the show on August 6, 2015.
Donald Trump officially declared he would seek the Republican presidential nomination on June 16, 2015.
I have a very strong suspicion if Stewart had just waited a few months before making his announcement, he would have stayed on to mine all that comedy gold a Trump candidacy would provide. But Stewart was like all the other political observers who believed Trump’s flirtation with another presidential run was just that … a trick, a ruse to generate some buzz for the king of self-promotion.
Boy, could the country have used Jon Stewart’s comedic wit this crazy presidential cycle! This is not meant to take anything away from Trevor Noah, Stewart’s replacement. Current Daily Show viewers know that Noah has done an excellent job filling some mighty big shoes.
So here we are in 2016. Donald Trump is the Republican favorite to win his party’s nomination. Who knows, maybe Trump can back up his boast of 2012 when he said he could win the Republican primary and the general election?
My take is that of all the people who can’t believe Trump is where he is in this year’s presidential race , Trump is the most shocked of all.
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Trump certainly got the timing right on his presidential run. The angry mob is loving their Trump.
Yes. Trump is the beneficiary of the perfect political storm.
I truly miss Jon Stewart. He would have a field day with this clown car.
Me too! I think Trevor Noah is doing a good job as Jon’s replacement. I might have opted for Samantha Bee, though. She finally has her own show now,
Presidential Dreamin’ … wasn’t that a 60’s song by the Mamas and the Papas?
Good one, Doug! California Dreamin’ was a big hit for the Mamas and the Papas. Trump’s Presidential Dreamin’ just one big flop.
re: “Presidential Dreamin'” Alice Cooper’s “Elected” is my earworm for this Presidential Election train wreck.
Just checked out “Elected” on YouTube. Very appropriate.
Letterman is gently weeping every single night! Wish he’d been around for this clustermess too!
Yes, Jon. Trump is the motherlode for comedians. The material writes itself.