Donald Trump is the chairman and president of The Trump Organization, founder of Trump Entertainment Resorts, host of The Apprentice and The Celebrity Apprentice, owner of the Miss USA and Miss Universe beauty pageants since 1996, and now the foremost candidate for the Republican Party in the 2016 presidential election. Wow.
Since his beginnings in the political realm, a few of Donald Trump’s actions include stating that there won’t be another black president for generations due to President Obama’s disappointing performance, calling Mexican immigrants drug dealers and rapists, using Hillary Clinton’s sexual life as reasoning for her inability to be president, and calling two Boston followers of his “passionate” after they beat up a Hispanic man. Wow.
It’s so ridiculous, it’s almost funny. It was almost funny when we thought his candidacy announcement wasn’t real. It was almost funny when we thought he never had a chance in the election. It was almost funny when we realized how much comedic entertainment he would provide us during the next year of politicians campaigning. Almost.
I do laugh at Donald Trump though. Looking at each incident or political stance individually is quite funny. But the truth is that when you put everything together, it’s not so funny anymore. When I remember that Trump is a real person running for a real office with seemingly unlimited resources and a political platform that has the potential to hurt millions of Americans, it becomes sad and scary. Not to mention Trump’s current place in the polls. He’s the front runner, coming in ahead of other big names Jeb Bush and Scott Walker with 24% support, according to an August 4 CBS News poll.
Millennials are sparking a revolutionary shift in attitude in the United States. Studies show that we care more about personal fulfillment and making positive change in the world than we do about making money. As millennials, we have a responsibility to vote for a candidate who represents such interests, one who stands up for the very same ideas for which we are willing to sacrifice. So whether you consider Donald Trump’s campaign a joke or not, there are people out there who are willing and able to vote for him.
If you’ve never taken a look at Trump’s actual platform, check out this article from PBS Newshour. Stay informed, stay connected, and next time you laugh at a Donald Trump meme, try to keep in mind how very real his GOP presence is.
