Donald J. Trump: An Unusual Journey to the Presidency

2025-01-20 21:53:54Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Donald Trump

Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States today (January 20). The moment marks a historic return to power for the man who in just over nine years has reshaped the Republican Party, in a country where political divisions are increasingly visible. Voice of America correspondent Tina Trinh takes a look at Mr. Trump's political journey and his return to the White House.

Donald Trump says he was re-elected after an "unprecedented and powerful" support from American voters.

"I want to thank the American people for the extraordinary honor of electing me as the 47th and 45th president. I will fight for every citizen, your families and your future. Every day I will fight for you. With every breath I take, I will not rest until we make America strong, safe and prosperous, just as our children and you deserve," Mr. Trump said.

Experts say that Mr. Trump's return to power is the result of his determination to triumph.

"I think he's someone who has tremendous confidence in his intuition," says journalist Russ Buettner.

He and Susanne Craig are investigative journalists for the New York Times and co-authors of the book "Lucky Loser," a critical assessment of Mr. Trump's portrayal of himself as a billionaire who became successful through his work.

"Since the early '80s he hasn't trusted people who are experts in almost anything. He will always bypass them, to do things his way," says Mr. Buettner.

The large gold letters of his name on Trump Towers are a display of ambition and self-promotion.

"His fortune was $200 million when he was speaking in an interview with the 'New York Times' and it grew to a billion dollars when he was speaking on the show '60 Minutes' a decade later," says journalist Susanne Craig.

Mr. Trump managed to attract attention by portraying himself as a person who delivers results. Through his name, he made millions.

But behind his success lay problems. His companies declared bankruptcy six times. His casinos lost money and closed.

Mr. Trump managed to make up for the losses with his television program "The Apprentice," a project that led him to his biggest role yet.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am officially running for president of the United States, and we will make our country great again," he said on June 16, 2015.

Without regret and without filters, Mr. Trump was a polarizing and nationalist candidate.

"When Mexico sends people, it doesn't send the best it has. They are bringing drugs, crime, they are rapists, while some I suppose are good people," he said.

As president, Mr. Trump appointed three members of the Supreme Court who helped overturn the abortion rights law.

In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic tested Mr. Trump. He accelerated the development of vaccines needed to save lives. But he also appeared to suggest that scientists study injecting chlorine to kill the virus.

With over 9 million Americans infected and over 230,000 dead, in November of that year voters elected Joe Biden as their next president.

After leaving the White House, Mr. Trump faced numerous criminal charges and is the first former president to be convicted of a criminal offense.

Mr. Trump has described the processes against him as a political witch hunt.

However, he has never been more popular.

Mr. Trump survived two assassination attempts last year, which strengthened his bond with supporters.

"God has a plan for Trump. He was saved for some purpose and reason. Hopefully he will become the 47th president," said Pam Smith, a Trump supporter, before the election.

American politics has changed with the arrival of Donald Trump on the scene.

The co-author of the book "The Art of the Comeback" is starting his second term in the White House in one of the greatest comebacks in American history./ VOA

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