Current Affairs for dummies, slash people who actually have lives and don’t have time to read the news

Trump is still on top! Political analysts have been predicting the fall of Donald Trump for 6 months and have been consistently proved wrong. The fall of other candidates such as Rand Paul, Scott Walker and Ben Carson have been foreseen but everyone underestimated Mr. trump’s staying power.

Trump has been able to tap into the anger of lower educated white blue collar Americans. This is a group that has been feeling marginalized. America’s economy has moved away from manufacturing (with China taking it’s place) and there has also been a pull to the left (Obamacare, gay marriage etc.) leaving this demographic feeling disenfranchised and forgotten. Furthermore under Obama America has stepped back on the World stage pulling out of Iraq and Afghanistan. Arguably also the American right-wing has massively stepped up blustery rhetoric against their arch-enemy Obama, this anger has allowed Trump to thrive.

Republicans don’t know how to deal with Trump, those that have tried to take him on have been battered and he has escaped unscathed. So far he has insulted tortured war veterans*, said Mexico is intentionally sending over criminals**, insulted women multiple times***, called for a ban on all Muslims coming into the country**** and overall just been pretty gross*****. So far none of these have even remotely damaged him.

Trump still needs to win the Republican nomination this summer but Senator Ted Cruz has stepped it up and has been gaining support fast. Trump's support has plateaued and his caustic nature means that he is unlikely to have a chance in the actual presidential contest. Furthermore although his support amongst Republicans is high the demographic that likes him (high school or lower educated white males) is less likely to vote meaning even if he numerically is the most popular he might not win it! For America’s sake, let’s just hope he doesn’t.

*http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/18/donald-trump-john-mccain-vietnam-iowa-republicans

**http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2015/aug/06/donald-trump/trump-mexican-government-they-send-bad-ones-over/

***http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/18-real-things-donald-trump-has-said-about-women_55d356a8e4b07addcb442023

****http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-35037701

*****http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/12/22/donald-trump-goes-vulgar-in-swipe-at-hillary-clinton/?_r=0