UPDATE: APRIL 18, 2011: Can Donald Trump Actually Win in 2012?
This is the 15th article in a weekly series looking at possible 2012 presidential contenders. Click here to learn more about the series.
Donald Trump for president? The businessman, reality show host, and tabloid fixture? Really?
This isn’t the first time Mr. Trump has flirted with a run. And although he may be toying with the political media as a grand publicity stunt yet again, he is one of the few candidates who could afford a self-financed run.
But does The Donald have the seven traits all eight winning presidential candidates have had since the beginning of the 24/7 media age in 1980?
Yes and no.
On the plus side, he has a clear message regarding the national debt and trade deficit that is well-aligned with the national mood. He uses the everyday words of “real” people, not the elevated Senatorial language that doomed Al Gore and John Kerry. And as an archetypal New York businessman, Trump is almost pathologically comfortable in his own skin.
I’ll review Donald Trump’s communications flaws and give him his grade below.
If there’s one reason Mr. Trump can’t win, it’s his propensity to use pessimistic language, such as in the above Fox News interview:
“This country’s in serious trouble. This country it’s no longer respected like it was…our country is not the force it used to be, it’s no longer respected like it used to be, and in fact, the opposite – people laugh at us.”
Independent voters have rewarded the more optimistic candidate in all eight elections since 1980. Trump’s language more closely mirrors Jimmy Carter than Ronald Reagan (“Morning in America”), George H.W. Bush (“Thousand Points of Light”), Bill Clinton (“Bridge to the 21st Century), George H.W. Bush (“Compassionate Conservative”), and Barack Obama (“Yes We Can”).
Trump is not particularly charismatic, instead creating a personal brand that emphasizes toughness. It’s worth noting that Rudy Giuliani, another tough-talking, thrice-married New Yorker, failed to win a single delegate in 2008. And other “tough” candidates – including Pat Buchanan, Ralph Nader, and Alan Keyes – rarely perform well in national elections.
I’ve made it this far without invoking the hackneyed phrase, “you’re fired.” It’s been pretty easy to avoid, since there’s little chance the American people will ever give him the job in the first place.
GRADE: D
To see the other candidates I’ve reviewed so far, click on their names: John Thune, Mitt Romney, Haley Barbour, Newt Gingrich, Jeb Bush, Tim Pawlenty, Mitch Daniels, Bobby Jindal, Ron Paul, Rick Santorum, Chris Christie, Gary Johnson, Jim DeMint, Mike Pence, Mike Huckabee, Sarah Palin, Barack Obama
February 4th, 2011 at 9:42 pm
I think Donald would be 90% better then Obama. Common sense and a love for his country alone would be enough to beat him. I also agree with his ideas on taxing imports, cutting gov. spending etc.—- GO DONALD!
March 17th, 2011 at 12:20 pm
Donald Trump should run for President, and if he did he would win. I am volunteering to help with his campaign, run a local Trump For President office, plaster my vehicle with Trump Bumper Stickers, whatever it takes. TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT. He is a no-nonsense, get-the-job-done kind of American. He will take out Quadafi, the pirates and leave Obama in the dust !! TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT. Sooner better than later !!
March 18th, 2011 at 6:19 am
Donald Trump is his own man, knows what he wants, knows whats needed and loves a challenge.
He does not understand the word “Can’t” and will not accept failure in his or his staff’s vocabulary.
Tough in bargaining and expectations, Donald Trump would be the Churchill of England at a time when America needs him most.
He has sufficient personality and presence, wher when he speaks, people listen. America at this low point in it’s history needs just such a man. America does not need the present whimps who chop and change alliances at the frop of a hat. Go for it Donald.
March 28th, 2011 at 10:57 pm
If our country cannot cease its reckless overspending and regain its conscience, the “negative” tone of Mr. Trump will be reality. We need a strong individual that is NOT to be bought out by special interests. Mr. Trump probably won’t be swayed by a special interests group offering him tens of thousands, or hundreds of thousands. Our Country must STOP being “for sale” to the highest special interests. INTEGRITY, and RETURNING TO WHAT MADE OUR COUNTRY GREAT is what we truly need. Mr. Trump… I would be 100%! God Speed.
March 29th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
Starting with basic common sense, he has every thing we need in a President. He is the right man for our time in history, and he respects our salt of the earth,military members. He can prove he was born in the USA, and he has regular asociates , and friends, who remember him!
March 29th, 2011 at 1:19 pm
NOTE FROM THE MODERATOR:
This is a communications training blog, and focuses specifically on the communications strengths and weaknesses of public figures. If you would like your comment published, please focus your comments on WHY you believe Donald Trump is an effective communicator — or why you believe he is not. If you disagree with my analysis, please tell me specifically why. If you agree, again, please tell me why.
Thank you. I look forward to reading your comments.
Best wishes,
Brad Phillips
Author, Mr. Media Training
April 7th, 2011 at 9:14 am
As a died in the wool supporter of President Obama, I believe Trump is the most dangerous candidate yet to throw his hat in the ring. You want communication skills? This guy is doing it for fun. He lives totally in the public and bases his existence on communicating his desires to subordinates and everyone else. He not only communicates his intentions, he follows though on them! A very weak issue with our current President. Trump may not be the most likeable person, but he is real, and he lets everyone know it. The bait and switch tactics we have been seeing here lately will be a giant target for him, along with a lot of other weaknesses in the current administration that failed to be mentioned by the media. He may be one of the few that would achieve a lasting support with the media because of his background and long standing relationship with it. If he succeeds in securing the nomination, it would be a good healthy dose of reality for the current administration and force them back on track, if nothing else. Blue-through-and-through, I still like Trump.