According to a CNN article published last week, billionaire Donald Trump has launched a presidential exploratory committee for the 2016 election. Although this is the first official step Trump has taken in being considered as a potential presidential candidate, we cannot be too alarmed at his announcement.
Trump has hinted at seriously running for president more than once over the years, so this isn’t exactly shocking news. In 1999, he launched a similar exploratory committee but didn’t pursue anything further within that election year. More recently, Trump seriously considered joining the Republican Party as a presidential candidate in 2012, but he eventually backed out and supported former Republican candidate, Mitt Romney, for the remainder of the election.
Trump’s continuous interference during presidential elections can allow us to analyze his true motives behind his so-called interest in becoming the nation’s ultimate leader.
It’s curious enough that this year his usual presidential-interest declaration was made after his NBC reality show “Celebrity Apprentice” was renewed for a 15th season. He further explained that even though NBC has offered renewal, he has not signed any paperwork pertaining to the show in case he decides to back out for the season.
Why? Maybe to prove how serious he is for the up-and-coming presidential election? No, I highly doubt it. I think Trump repeatedly portrays a so-called interest in presidential elections for self-promotion and business purposes.
I am all for self-branding. Creating an image for oneself has its perks, like success and attention, but you have to uphold that image. One slip and the brand you created for yourself is gone.
So I understand Trump’s motive for all the self-promotion. And from a business perspective, it’s pretty clever. What better way to get people to notice you than by running for the most prestigious position this country has to offer?
Clever. I mean, it’s just business, right? He has to advertise himself and his career in order to make a profit, which is obvious. But I do not think claiming a position as a possible presidential candidate is the way to do it.
His motives give him a superficial persona, which is not an image one would want when running for president of the U.S.
If he is serious about his candidacy, he should stray away from TV and actually create a respectable platform. He should prioritize issues and develop well-defended arguments in order to gain the hearts of voters, not coincidentally announce the renewal of a hit TV show and an interest in a presidential nomination at the same time.
Trump also needs to consider his contenders. Yes, he is a billionaire, but what has he done in the political aspect of things?
Trump needs to figure out if he is serious about running for president or if this is just a business strategy. If so, he and his team need to consider new public relations tactics because his continuous cry for president is getting out of hand and further proves he does not belong in politics — especially as the nation’s leader.
Grace Hudgins is a UF journalism junior. Her column appears on Wednesdays.
[A version of this story ran on page 7 on 3/26/2015 under the headline “Trump cried president again, and it's getting old”]
