Presidential candidate Donald Trump, who has been dubbed "Mr. Controversy," is fiercely supported by some and hated by others. Back in the summer of 2015, Republican leaders stated that Donald Trump had "virtually no chance of being their nominee" (Washington Post). Considering his predicted chances, his current status as leading the other candidates of his party seems rather incredible. At this point Trump has 678 delegates out of the necessary 1,237, which is better than any of the other Republican candidates are doing.
On certain issues, Trump's stance appeals to me. What makes me seriously question his qualifications for office is his dishonesty, lack of humility, and unfiltered mouth.
For example, in the March 13 edition of Fox News Sunday, Donald Trump was called out by host Chris Wallace for condoning violence at his rallies:
CHRIS WALLACE (HOST): "Even before you had to cancel your rally in Chicago on Friday, there had been growing violence at some of your rallies around the country. And some of the rivals, some of your rivals in the Republican race say you have contributed to this with your rhetoric. Question, sir, do you take any responsibility for the violence at your rallies?"
DONALD TRUMP: "First of all, I disagree totally, Chris, with what you said. I have by far the biggest crowds... But we'll have some protesters, and nobody's been hurt at all...We talk and we try and be good and I will tell you, some of the protesters are very rough and they're bad dudes, and they swing and they punch, and nobody ever talks about that in the media. And when you think about it, when I have twenty-five thousand and twenty thousand people very routinely, by far the biggest, and we have some protesters stand up, who do you know that's been hurt over the last number of months? Nobody."
Wallace then went on to show footage of a man at a rally being elbowed so hard in the face that he was knocked to the ground.
Does Trump think denying problems will make them disappear?
Trump's own words have shown clear evidence that he is more upset with protesters than the way his supporters are dealing with those protesters. Back in November attendees of a Trump event kicked a Black Lives Matter activist. Trump responded, "Maybe he should have been roughed up." Then in February, Trump said of a protester at a Las Vegas rally: "I'd like to punch him in the face." Trump sounds more like a immature, fiery young man than the type of leader we want at the head of our country. He shows a lack of true concern for the American people.
Donald Trump has also openly belittled and verbally attacked his opponents. One of his favorite accusations is of Ted Cruz being a huge liar. Considering Trump's own track record of lying, he has little right to question others' honesty. It seems futile to point fingers at others when your own hands are dirty.
Candidates are supposed to put on their best face while campaigning. This is only natural as they are trying to win over the support, and ultimately the vote of the people. If Trump has no qualms about acting this way now, what makes us think he will change once he is elected? American citizens need to carefully consider the evidence and chose a strong leader who will keep his word on "making America great again."
