The 2016 U.S. Presidential Election will certainly go down in history as one of the most memorable, but at the same time forgettable contests between two certainly less than perfect candidates.
Ultimately it was the Republican candidate, billionaire tycoon, Donald Trump, who won the race against former First Lady Hillary Clinton. America’s wait for a first Female President will go on at least another four years. Questions will be asked, such as ‘Would Bernie Sanders have won if he was the Democrat nominee?’ and ‘Will Trump be as radical as his campaign promised?’ However one must admit Trump did very well in his campaign, that is unquestionable. He spent millions of his own money and he travelled the length and breadth of the country to earn votes. He won crucial so called ‘swing states’ such as Ohio and Florida, which paved a way for him to the White House. Trump is certainly the most radical President America has ever had, and his temperament as well as his attitudes towards certain groups is certainly one which can be questioned as to whether or not he should be the leader of the most powerful country in the world.
Certain communities are fearful that Trump could take away rights that they have worked so hard to achieve, such as the LGBT society, who rightfully got what they deserved with marriage equality finally legalised in the U.S. in 2015, there are fears that Trump, who openly opposes Gay Marriage, may revoke the rights of this community. Trumps outrageous comments in regard to his treatment of women were thought to have derailed his campaign, however, the majority of American’s were able to look past his remarks and vote the Celebrity Apprentice host in as their new President.
The Democrat candidate, Hillary Clinton however, was by no means an angel. Her private email server undoubtedly blocked her path to the White House. American people have made one thing clear though, and that is they want change, and Trump looks like the sort of man who will deliver that change for them. He has stated very clearly throughout his campaign that he wants to build a wall on the Mexican border, strengthen the US Military as well as repealing Obamacare. Whether or not Trump is as radical as his campaign promised, remains to be seen. However one thing is certain, when Trump succeeds Barack Obama in January of 2017, America will be a very different country.
-By Tom Short
