Donald Trump

by Anabelle

Donald Trump is the 69-year-old Republican candidate from New York. He has worked as a real estate manager, architect, and CEO (chief executive officer) of many companies. This is his second time running, the first being in 2000, and in 1988, 2004 and 2012 he was considered a possibility as a candidate. He supports campaign finance reform. He wants to eliminate corporate taxes. He says education should be a local issue and not even involve the state or federal governments. He doesn’t believe in global warming, calling it a “total hoax”. He is against the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), and believes fracking to be safer than windmill power. He calls marriage equality unfair and unconstitutional, but he himself has had three marriages. He supports mental health records being an important part of background checks for guns, but also says that there should be shorter waiting periods, assaults weapons allowed, and automatic conceal and carry rights. He has been in the Democratic, Republican, Reform, and Independent parties. He stands firm in the belief that a wall along the southwestern border of the United States would stop illegal immigration.

Mom, Gregory, and I met him on the State House lawn in Concord on November 4, where he was arriving to file so he can appear on the Republican ballot. This event was comparable to a rock concert. The people in the crowd standing behind him kept waving signs around and chanting, “Trump!” He wasn’t taking questions from the audience, only from the media, so one of the reporters asked Gregory and me if we would like to sit up front so there was a better chance of us asking our questions. Neither of us was called on during this session, though. However, with all of the questions that were asked, he didn’t answer what he would do to address the situation or what he thought of an item, but used the questions to make a connection to other candidates, specifically Governor Jeb Bush, Senator Marco Rubio, and Ben Carson, and slam them. He also would rally the crowd, which made it seem like he was trying to cover the questions with other noises.

After taking four or five questions, he proceeded to head towards the Statehouse. On the way, Gregory and I attempted to reach the front to ask our questions, and members of the press helped us by making sure we made it to the front. I asked my question, “I’ve read that you think fracking is safer than windmill power. Why do you feel this way?” His initial response was, “Oh, it’s better”, and then said it was because more birds stayed alive. He also signed Gregory’s notebook without even being asked.

I don’t think I would vote for him. I think that attacking the other candidates and giving answers such as, “I just feel that way” is a cover for not having any substance, and I know a president needs to have substance.

Donald Trump

Donald Trump

by Gregory

Republican Donald John Trump was born in Queens, New York City, on June 14^th, 1946.  This 69-year old candidate has been in four different political parties.  He’s been a Republican, (2012-present), an Independent, (2011-2012), a Democrat, (before 1987, 2001-2009), and a Reform, (1999-2001).  He began his career with his father’s real estate company, and then formed the Trump Organization in April, 1981.  He has also starred in a reality television show on NBC called The Apprentice.

We met Donald Trump on November 4, 2015, on the New Hampshire Statehouse lawn.  I wasn’t able to ask my question which was: “I read that you have been in four different political parties.  Why is this?”  I know that his answer is: “As I get older, I get smarter.  And as I get smarter I want to change my political party.”  I know that he would answer this because after the event, a reporter asked me what my question was, and he said that he had asked that same question and that was the answer he received.

I don’t support Donald Trump.  He was very mean to the other candidates and didn’t mention anything that he would do if he becomes president.  He also was very condescending. He gave me an autograph, (see picture 1), and when I tried to tell him that I didn’t want an autograph, my mouth opened but no sound came out.  I don’t think we should have someone who is so condescending for president.  He also was rallying up the small crowd so that he could avoid the presses’ questions and to make it look like there was a huge crowd.  To me, Mr. Trump was very much like Gov. Bush in his personality.  If Mr. Trump could go off like a bomb, he hid it very well today.