Per the latest Republican presidential primary poll, Donald Trump is still in the lead. But is his brash persona and controversial positions hindering his campaign, or are they showing people that he truly wants to “Make America Great Again?”
Trump has taken strong stances on three major topics: immigration, taxes and the Second Amendment. His ideas have been declared in several speeches and debates, and detailed information on Trump’s positions can be found on his website, www.donaldjtrump.com. Here, we've laid out the basics of the campaign:
1. Immigration
Trump’s position on immigration is summed up into three statements: “A nation without borders is not a nation, a nation without laws is not a nation, [and] a nation that does not serve its own citizens is not a nation.” His main goal is to serve the “working people first- not wealthy globetrotting donors.” He also believes we need to change the fact that our “immigration system puts the needs of other nations ahead of our own.”
2. Taxes
Trump has created a tax reform i that he believes will do the following: Provide “tax relief for middle-class Americans, simplify the tax code, grow the American economy and [won’t] add to our debt and deficit.” He wants his “bold, simple and achievable plan” to provide relief to working Americans.
3. Second Amendment
In light of the numerous mass shootings that have occurred as of late, Trump’s plan to obey the rights of the Second Amendment may be controversial. He states that “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed upon. Period.” Instead, Trump believes we need to “get serious about prosecuting violent criminals.”
In a mostly conservative state such as Arizona, the opinions of young adults are significant since they determine where the state is headed. Here at ASU, the largest university in the state and recently named Most Innovative School by U.S. News, students had a lot to say about how Trump's personality would translate into the presidency.
Typical reactions from students included concerns along the lines of, “I don’t think [his personality] would translate well at all,” and that he “seems very closed-minded.” One student described Trump as “egotistical, but with a purpose.” Despite the mostly negative comments, there were still some students who believe Trump “is definitely a good leader” and “would be able to build positive relations with other world leaders.” Another student, sophomore Stephen Baldridge, even mentioned Trump’s best-selling book about using “the best strategies in order to reach the outcome he wants.”
So, is Trump's overwhelming personality too much for us to handle, or are his platforms enough to make him a worthy candidate? You decide.
