Since announcing his bid for the U.S. 2016 presidential election a week ago, billionaire and real estate magnate Donald Trump has done little to elucidate his views on the big topics likely to dominate the race. So where does the Republican candidate stand on the big issues?
Trump isn't exactly known for keeping his opinions to himself, and it's not hard to find past comments from the man himself that offer some insight into his views on issues ranging from immigration to women's rights. Indeed, over the years Trump clearly has covered the big button issues: from claiming climate change is a Chinese conspiracy to take our jobs, to using golf as an awkward analogy for same-sex marriage. As a handy 2016 election primer, we've collated a few of Trump's boldest statements on some of the most pressing political topics, and – admittedly – a few less pressing issues also.
In his own words...
On climate change: it's a Chinese conspiracy!
“The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.”
(2012, Twitter)
The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)
November 6, 2012
On women: casual sexism!
"You know, it doesn't really matter what (the media) write as long as you've got a young and beautiful piece of ass."
(1991, as quoted by Esquire magazine)
On family values: incest is creepy!
“If Ivanka weren’t my daughter, perhaps I’d be dating her.”
(2006, The View)
On same-sex marriage: it's like using an over-sized putter!
"It's like in golf … A lot of people – I don’t want this to sound trivial – but a lot of people are switching to these really long putters, very unattractive. It’s weird. You see these great players with these really long putters, because they can't sink three-footers anymore. And, I hate it. I am a traditionalist. I have so many fabulous friends who happen to be gay, but I am a traditionalist.”
(2011, New York Times)
On immigration: Mexicans are rapists!
“When Mexico sends its people, they are not sending their best ... They are sending people that have lots of problems ...They are bringing drugs and they are bringing crime and they’re rapists, and some are good people.”
(2015, presidential bid announcement)
Druggies, drug dealers, rapists and killers are coming across the southern border. When will the U.S. get smart and stop this travesty?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)
June 20, 2015
On his own sex appeal: everyone wants a slice of The Donald!
“All of the women on ‘The Apprentice' flirted with me—consciously or unconsciously. That's to be expected.”
(2011, as quoted by The Telegraph)
On personal fitness: no thanks!
"I promise I will never be in a bicycle race.”
(2015, presidential bid announcement)
On technology: … this one speaks for itself.
“I have so many websites.”
(2015, presidential bid announcement)
On public health: freak out about Ebola, people!
“Stop the EBOLA patients from entering the U.S. Treat them, at the highest level, over there. THE UNITED STATES HAS ENOUGH PROBLEMS!”
(2014, Twitter)
Stop the EBOLA patients from entering the U.S. Treat them, at the highest level, over there. THE UNITED STATES HAS ENOUGH PROBLEMS!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)
August 1, 2014
On the opposition: more casual sexism!
"If Hillary Clinton can't satisfy her husband what makes her think she can satisfy America?"
(2015, Twitter – but blamed on an unidentified staff member, now deleted)
On African Americans: I like them, but they're lazy!
"I have a great relationship with the Blacks."
(2011, Talk 1300 interview)
(See here at around 3.27)
“Laziness is a trait in Blacks.”
(Comment allegedly made to John R. O'Donnell, former president of Trump Plaza Hotel & Casino, from O'Donnell's 1991 book, “Trumped!”)
On Judaism: just insert medieval stereotype!
“The only kind of people I want counting my money are short guys that wear yarmulkes every day.”
(Another comment allegedly made to John R. O'Donnell, former president of Trump Plaza Hotel & Casino, also from O'Donnell's 1991 book, “Trumped!”)
On Allegations Made by John R. O'Donnell: yeah, they're probably true.
“The stuff O'Donnell wrote about me is probably true. The guy's a fucking loser. A fucking loser.”
(1999, Playboy interview)