Who really is Donald Trump?
A closer look at the 2024 candidate for president
Donald Trump was born and raised in New York City. His father Fred Trump was a real estate developer (son of German immigrants) while his Mother Mary Anne was born in Scotland. Donald Trump graduated with a B.S. degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania (Wharton School) before taking over his dad's real estate development business. As it grew, he renamed it "The Trump Organization" which by 2017 had expanded to around 250 affiliates and subsidiaries when he in turn handed over leadership to his adult children.
Besides real estate he developed a reputation as a brash millionaire celebrity, and hosted "The Apprentice" (reality TV series) on NBC TV which attracted a large following. Trump gave up his TV show in 2015 when he decided to run for president after toying with the idea for three decades.
In 2016 Trump bested all 15 of his Republican primary opponents, and in the November election he defeated Hillary Clinton to become the 45th President of the US. His first term saw enhanced economic opportunity that resulted in record low unemployment with real salary growth for all sectors, as well as energy independence and world "peace through strength" although he was undermined by political enemies claiming he was an illegitimate president and harassing him with fake Russian Collusion and Steele Dossier hoaxes, not to mention impeachment.
Trump as President 2017-2020
During his presidency the guy who wrote “The Art of the Deal” brought an outsider's business-like approach to government, and diplomatic negotiations with other nations were conducted more effectively. The negotiation strategy used by Hillary Clinton & John Kerry et al was to look good to people back home who they counted on to re-elect them, never mind the future ramifications of the poor deals they negotiated. As Neville Chamberlain found out, appeasement might seem good today but not so good down the road. The businesslike approach practiced by Trump is to allow his adversary to look good on the world stage to soften him up, and in return be able to drive a harder deal in private to the benefit of the American people, especially in the long run.
Trump's personality flaws were noted by many, although to some extent there was a method to his madness. His bombastic use of hyperbole suited him for brainstorming, where it's an asset in problem-solving discussions (although not as beneficial when done in front of microphones in public meetings). The media took and often further exaggerated (and sometimes completely mis-stated) Trump's exaggerations and brainstorming to paint him as unhinged.
Turnover and chaos among Trump's team was also highlighted by the media more than the turnover and chaos in Harris' VP staff which is remarkable given that Harris hired people who shared her world view while Trump (as a businessman focused on results) hired an ideologically diverse team that he knew would give him a better batting average at solving problems. Naturally the latter is stormier. Secondly, the Biden/Harris administration didn't fire near as many people for incompetence as Trump did, so it's no surprise sour grapes (and seeking headlines to help them sell books they authored) would increase the level of apparent discord in Trump’s camp.
Resistance by democrats culminated with impeachment over Trump's efforts to obtain evidence from Ukraine of Biden family influence peddling activities, and Ukrainian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
During the impeachment controversy, COVID-19 struck in the fall of 2019. Trump tried to slow the spread by restricting travel from China and other infected countries but democrats claimed xenophobia so restrictions were abandoned. In the early weeks of the developing pandemic, Nancy Pelosi invited people to come visit San Francisco and in March New York City mayor Bill de Blasio invited folks to ride the subway even though the virus was spreading at an alarming rate. At the same time government officials in New York and Michigan approved moving sick patients into Nursing homes where they infected other vulnerable people. Trying to strike a balance between calming the public vs panic, President Trump issued statements both of calm and action not unlike messaging during The Blitz in England, yet he was mocked for not taking the pandemic seriously never mind the drastic actions he took.
Trump's COVID-19 taskforce led by VP Mike Pence transparently held briefings nearly daily and as the virus spread. Health experts advocated shutting down businesses and sheltering in place to slow the spread, as did most democratic politicians at that time.
One of the Trump initiatives was "Operation Warp Speed" which was a private-public partnership to facilitate the development of a safe and effective vaccine. This effort was successful and the first vaccines received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) in late 2019. Health experts believe the vaccines saved many lives and allowed the economy to begin the "V-shaped recovery" planned for the end of 2020 when the pandemic waned.
Trump's 2020 Re-election Campaign and the Capitol Riot
Running for re-election in 2020 against Joe Biden, Trump's campaign was plagued by several hoaxes (Charlottesville white supremacists, distortion of who his tax cut helped, Trump was to blame for the global pandemic, and claims he didn't pay tax) while Trump's charges of Biden family influence peddling with China, Ukraine, and Russia were dismissed as Russian disinformation.
It was hard for Trump to defend his accomplishments against the headwinds of blame for a pandemic that was global in nature and hit some countries worse than the US.
Trump lost the 2020 election by an electoral vote margin of 306-232 but challenged the results based on his belief that fraud led to excessive "votes"for Biden in a handful of key states due to last-minute changes in voting procedures, so Trump called on supporters to show up in Washington DC to encourage their representatives (and VP Mike Pence) to not certify the apparent election results and instead throw the election to the House of Representatives. Besides pandemic-related changes in voting processes and relaxed signature verification, the unprecedented dishonesty (fraud) in the way free speech was censored leading up to election day, including the debate moderator validating the hoax that Hunter's laptop confirming Biden Family Influence Peddling with Russia and Ukraine was Russian disinformation (not to mention the 50 "intelligence experts" claiming the same) threw the election.
A very large crowd did gather on January 6th, and some of them stormed the Capitol and rioted for several hours. Nearly all Americans condemned those who rioted and criticized Trump for his irresponsible words that morning which helped fan the flames of dissent. Democrats impeached Trump a second time in the last weeks of his presidency and in subsequent weeks, Democrats and their allies in the media aggressively amped up fear of “insurrection” and the end of democracy. It’s ironic that during the intense media coverage of the 2nd impeachment, folks started to see that compared to other hateful political rhetoric and other demonstrations and riots, Jan 6th may not have been as catastrophic as portrayed.
Biden/Harris Presidency 2021-2024
During the Biden/Harris administration, numerous legal proceedings were brought against Trump that his detractors claimed were felonies and illustrate that he's not fit to be president while his supporters claimed they were trumped-up charges, for example bookkeeping errors regarding hush money and the value of assets.
Meanwhile Kamala Harris was appointed de-facto “Border Czar” to stem illegal immigration across our southern border.
The executive actions Biden/Harris signed on day one essentially opened the border while statements and actions appeared to invite more migrants to come. This resulted in an explosion of border crossings that overloaded our social support systems including healthcare and schools. And increased drug smuggling.
One of the most tragic aspects of this humanitarian crisis was the increase in sex trafficking of migrant girls, many underage. Where are the feminists voicing concern?
Also during the Biden/Harris administration, lower and middle class households suffered the cumulative effect of high inflation resulting in costs over 20% higher than when they took office. While many factors contribute to inflation, the two most significant are excessive government spending (Kamala Harris cast tie-breaking votes on massive spending bills) and rising energy costs (Biden/Harris promised to shut down fossil fuels) that could have been avoided by more frugal spending and Trump’s “all of the above” energy policy that includes in is words “drill baby drill.”
Another issue of concern especially to parents is the type of gender ideology being taught in too many elementary schools that prompts and even encourages youngsters to change gender before they’re old enough to know how their feelings will change as they grow through adolescence despite medical research warning of risks. So-called "progressive" scientists delayed publication of this massive study.
Biden/Harris policies also allow and celebrate trans athletes born male stealing sports scholarships, playing time, and trophies from athletes born female. Where are the feminists who should be speaking up for the interests of female athletes.
Trump's 2024 Presidential Campaign
Trump rolled through the 2024 Primaries with his usual impolite characterization of opponents while also highlighting the importance of fixing our economy, ending the crisis at our southern border, re-claiming free speech, and reforming our justice system to assure equal justice for all. He secured the nomination after his strongest challenger Nikki Haley dropped out.
During the campaign, many moderate voters noticed how far left the democratic party they used to lean toward had drifted in recent decades.
Notable lifelong democrats like Bill Ackman announced their support of Trump while Ackman also denounced the impact of democratic party policies in recent years.
Trump assembled an ideologically diverse team of intelligent democrats, libertarians, and Republicans ready to serve their country. On the ethnicity front, that type of diversity too, with RFK Jr (Irish American), Elon Musk (African American), Tulsi Gabbard (Samoan and European-American), Vivek Ramaswamy (Indian American), JD Vance (Scottish-Irish American), Tim Scott (African American), Nikki Haley (Indian American) and perhaps another libertarian in Ron Paul, with both the presidential and VP candidates married to legal immigrants. Most importantly, good problem solvers all.
In contrast, Harris teamed up with entertainers and disaffected Republicans who were fired or cast aside by Trump.
Trump tried to “drain the swamp” during his years as president but the “Administrative State” in Washington DC is deeply entrenched, and wasteful spending and ineffective policies are prevalent. This is why primary voters favored the brash bombastic style of a fighter like Trump over the candidate with more refined comportment like Haley even though she’d make an excellent president. Trump’s authenticity is appreciated by many, as is his transparency. He lets us know what he's thinking and he's not two-faced about it the way Harris is (and most politicians are). It’ll take a strong candidate to clean up DC.
Legacy media acting as a branch of the democratic party control the narrative especially with low-information voters who don’t seek out diverse information sources. Fearmongering and disinformation have been common, including ridiculous hoaxes that Trump supports Project 2025, wants to ban abortion, said there will be a bloodbath if Harris is elected, and wants to be a dictator on day one.
The notion that Trump is a wanna-be dictator as evil as Hitler is absurd yet believed by many. America isn't free as long as its press and media giants essentially work for the Democratic Party.
Trump’s interview with Tyrus showed the side of him the activist media doesn’t want you to see. Watch this short video-
Rather than believe others’ description of anyone’s positions it’s far more accurate to rely on primary sources; here’s the GOP 2024 platform.
In conclusion-
The 2024 presidential election has unmeasurable ramifications. Against the headwinds of the misleading advertisements we’re being bombarded with, it’s important for informed folks to help get the message out regarding the real differences between Trump and Harris policies. For sake of today’s young people, please stand up and speak up!
The cavalry isn't coming and it's up to each patriot to see the danger and get out to vote or mail in our vote. And encourage family and friends to vote too.
NOTE ADDED NOV 3rd-
Harris campaign surrogate Mark Cuban claimed the women around Trump are weak and dumb. Is that a fair characterization? Listen to what these women really say, not what others say they said.
Nikki Haley re-iterated and amplified her endorsement of Trump in this excellent Wall Street Journal opinion piece.
This morning’s jobs report wasn't encouraging either.
NOTE ADDED NOV 4th-
Megyn Kelly gave a strong endorsement of Trump at his last Pennsylvania rally before he headed to Grand Rapids MI for his last rally before election day. She addressed women’s issues including abortion as written here.
NOTE ADDED NOV 5th-
The reluctance of Harris to explain how her policies are different from Biden's or why her aides say she has positions different from her lifelong values (or answer how she voted on California Prop 36 and explain why) suggests she's not confident in her positions. She’s counting on people to vote for anybody but Trump. Here’s what she and her team appear to be hopeful for to win an election that polls show is dead even. Every vote matters and Trump needs a margin too big to rig.
note- this post was taken from a Substack article written before the November 2024 election yet still relevant to those curious about why the election turned out as it did.
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