Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Donald Trump is running for president – but who would vote for him?

Trump is the 12th Republican to launch a presidential bid

Payton Guion
Wednesday 17 June 2015 02:35 EDT
Comments
(AP Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Donald Trump held his presidential announcement at the Trump Tower in New York City, a fitting place to host a speech spent praising Donald Trump.

The newly announced presidential candidate spent time bashing President Barack Obama, as well as offering some thinly veiled swipes at other candidates in his own party.

Mr Trump is now the 12th Republican to announce White House ambitions for 2016, with more likely to be added to that list.

While ‘The Donald’ has garnered a lot of attention with his speech, who would actually vote for him?

Those who find confidence sexy

Mr Trump could hardly be confused for a model of modesty, but he brought his trademark bravado on Tuesday to his presidential announcement. At one point in his speech he said, “I will be the greatest jobs president that God ever created”.

He made a point to remind viewers more than once that he is, indeed, very rich. He even invited President Obama to play golf at one of his many courses.

People who want a tougher stance against Isis

Senator Lindsey Graham was supposed to be the most hawkish Republican candidate, but Mr Trump has other ideas. He said nobody else would be tougher on Isis than he would be. Mr Trump is currently ahead of Mr Graham in the early polls.

Voters who think the US should be the unquestioned leader in world trade

Mr Trump began his announcement by saying the US was “losing” to China and Japan in global trade and went on to say that Mexico was also guilty of stealing US jobs. He also lamented the lack of American cars on Japanese streets, which we checked out.

“We need somebody that can take the brand of the United States and make it great again,” Mr Trump said.

The toughest opponents of immigration

While Mr Trump caused a bit of controversy by implying that Mexican immigrants are either criminals or rapists, the focus here will be his immigration plan. It’s fair to say that a path to citizenship is not among his policies.

To keep out the “criminals and rapists”, Mr Trump said, “I would build a great wall…very inexpensive…on our southern border and I will have Mexico pay for that wall”.

Surely that’s a plan Mexicans can get behind.

Follow @PaytonGuion on Twitter.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in