The 2016 presidential elections are drawing closer, which means the crazies are coming out once again to announce their candidacy to potentially become the leader of the free world. This year the main attention-grabbing candidate is none other than, “The Donald,” also known as Donald Trump.
In a speech made on June 16, Trump announced to an audience that he would be running for president of the United States, but not before he alienated himself from the majority of his party. As he was announcing his candidacy, Trump suggested that the U.S. is being laughed at for its stupidity and that Mexico is sending us their drug dealers, criminals and rapists.
Despite his comments that would lead many to believe that he would be tanking in the polls, at face value it would appear that Trump is holding his own. After taking second place in both New Hampshire and Iowa polls among likely caucus-goers, Trump is off and running despite his bigoted and xenophobic comments about Mexican immigrants. Trump even went as far as insulting GOP frontrunner Jeb Bush and his wife Columba Bush on Twitter when he re-tweeted one of his supporters. The tweet read, “Jeb Bush has to like the Mexican Illegals because of his wife.” The tweet has since been deleted.
Following his toxic comments on immigrants, a chain reaction took place, with NBC, Macy’s, Ora TV, Televisa and Univision cutting ties with Trump. Since losing his sponsors, Trump has threatened to sue Univision for the sum of $500 million for breaking contracts to broadcast Miss USA and Miss Universe, two pageants that he is co-owner of.
While it’s not likely that Trump will get the Republican nomination, it’s still a scary thought that through some miracle, this wacko could potentially end up in the Oval Office. It’s also rather sad that he chose to use his candidacy announcement to express his hateful, bigoted views on immigrants, a majority of whom are seeking shelter from gang violence and poverty. This country was built on our immigrants, so who in their right mind would want someone like Trump representing them on the world scale? Not us.
At Ellis Island, an inscription of poet Emma Lazarus’ words reads, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” The United States has a long history of immigration from all over the world, and it’s important our next president recognizes how important this aspect is to America’s past, present and future.
The editorial board is composed of Miles Barnes, Stephanie Villiers and Alexandra Bartick.
