ISSUES
Environmental Regulation and Climate Change
Trump has stated that he does not see climate change as a central issue in the campaign. In terms of the world’s issues, he says it is “very low on the list” and that “we have much bigger problems.” He opposes all environmental regulations as he believes they impede on business. Trump has openly criticized president Obama for his efforts in environmental policy change. In a recent interview with Bill O’Reilly, Trump described the Paris Global Warming Conference as “ridiculous” and “insane” and denounced Obama for spending any time on the issue at all. He believes the president’s priorities should lie elsewhere. Looking towards the future, Trump has openly admitted that if there were any federal departments that he would cut, the first would be the Environmental Protection Agency. Rather, he supports an expansion of domestic drilling to provide jobs and move the nation toward energy independence.
Heather Taylor-Miesle, the director of the Natural Resources Defense Council’s Action Fund, has described his environmentalism as one for the “wealthy and elite.” She elaborated by saying that “he likes to pretend he’s an environmentalist because of the landscaping on his golf courses, but at the end of the day, it seems he’s the only one that actually believes that.” Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders said, “It is beyond my comprehension how we can elect the president of the United States, somebody like Trump, who believes that climate change is a hoax invented by the Chinese.”
Policy Proposals
Relevant History
Representative Quotes
Heather Taylor-Miesle, the director of the Natural Resources Defense Council’s Action Fund, has described his environmentalism as one for the “wealthy and elite.” She elaborated by saying that “he likes to pretend he’s an environmentalist because of the landscaping on his golf courses, but at the end of the day, it seems he’s the only one that actually believes that.” Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders said, “It is beyond my comprehension how we can elect the president of the United States, somebody like Trump, who believes that climate change is a hoax invented by the Chinese.”
Policy Proposals
- Approve the Keystone XL Pipeline.
- Cut the Environmental Protection Agency.
- End the cap-and-trade system, in which industries that emit pollutants below a certain target can trade pollution credits, in an effort to reduce overall pollution.
- Lift the ban on crude oil exports and approve natural gas exports.
- Approve additional offshore drilling sites.
Relevant History
- Under the leadership of Trump, the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, NJ received the MGA Club Environmental Award for its demonstrated environmental stewardship through golf course maintenance, construction, education and research. The club includes a bird sanctuary.
- However, New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection has cited the Trump National Golf in Bedminster for multiple violations, including cutting trees and brush and disturbing wetlands.
- In 2010 Trump National Golf Club in Loudoun County, Virginia, chopped down more than 400 trees along the Potomac River so their golfers could have a better view of the water.
Representative Quotes
- “I think it’s a big scam for a lot of people to make a lot of money,” says Trump in response to whether or not he believes in global warming.
- “I believe there’s weather.”
- “What they do is a disgrace. Every week they come out with new regulations. They're making it impossible,” said Trump about the EPA.
- "It's Friday. How many bald eagles did wind turbines kill today? They are an environmental & aesthetic disaster."
Gun Control and Gun Violence
Trump is against almost any gun control laws. Trump believes that the problem with guns isn’t the deficiency of laws on guns but the deficiency of focus on people with mental health issues. He believes gun violence is also inevitable, and therefore there should be loose restrictions so people can protect themselves against criminals. Though Trump claims to be very strong against gun control, he has said in the past that he supports an assault weapons ban and longer waiting periods to obtain a gun to determine if a person is mentally ill.
Policy Proposals
Relevant History
Representative Quotes
Policy Proposals
- Ban gun-free zones.
- Expand a program that was used in Richmond, VA, which imposed a mandatory sentence for people who had committed a murder with a gun. Trump believes this will help end gun violence because it will keep armed felons off the street.
- Expand treatment and funding for mental health. Trump says this will help prevent gun violence as many of the recent mass shootings have been committed by people with mental health problems.
Relevant History
- In 2000, Trump said he would support legislation that would ban assault weapons and create a longer waiting period in order to have complete background checks.
Representative Quotes
- “The gun-free zones are target practice for the sickos and for the mentally ill. . . . Gun-free zones are a catastrophe. They're a feeding frenzy for sick people.”
- “He's going to sign another executive order having to do with the Second Amendment, having to do with guns. I will veto. I will unsign that so fast.”
Drugs and Criminal Law
Donald Trump believes criminals do not deserve reduced sentences for drug crimes and is very supportive of the death penalty. His personal experiences have shaped his firm stance against drugs; however, he accepts medical marijuana. Despite this stance, he believes in a state-to-state policy for marijuana legalization. He wants to strengthen the war on drugs by working with all law enforcement branches and has mentioned building a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border to prevent drug and human trafficking, among other things.
Policy Proposals
Relevant History
Representative Quotes
Policy Proposals
- Marijuana legalization should be handled on a state-by-state level, even though he is personally opposed to its legalization, and has also said that “medical should happen.”
- Enact provisions allowing for the election of judges, so that they can be held more accountable for being “too forgiving.” (This would require an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, for federal judges.)
Relevant History
- Trump’s brother was an alcoholic and greatly influenced Trump, urging him not to drink and do drugs; Trump claims that as a result of his brother’s advice, he has never done either of those things and is very much against them.
- In 1990, Trump argued that in order to win the war on drugs, the U.S. should legalize drugs and use the revenue to educate people on the dangers of drugs, and also to take money away from drug czars.
Representative Quotes
- “Civilized people don’t put up with barbaric behavior. Would it have been civilized to put Hitler in prison? No - it would have been an affront to civilization. The same is true of criminals who prey on innocent people. They have declared war on civilization. I don’t care if the victim is a CEO or a floor sweeper. A life is a life, and if you criminally take an innocent life you’d better be prepared to forfeit your own. My only complaint is that lethal injection is too comfortable a way to go.”
- “Young male murderers, we are constantly told, are led astray by violent music and violent movies. Fair enough. I believe that people are affected by what they read, see, hear, and experience. Only a fool believes otherwise. So you can’t say on one hand that a kid is affected by music and movies and then turn around and say he is absolutely not affected when he turns on the evening news and sees that a criminal has gone to the chair for killing a child. Obviously capital punishment isn’t going to deter everyone. But how can it not put the fear of death into many would-be killers?”
- “Criminals are often returned to society because of forgiving judges. This has to stop. We need to hold judges more accountable, and the best way to make that happen is to elect them. When they hurt us, we need to make sure we can vote them out of the job. The rest of us need to rethink prisons and punishment. The next time you hear someone saying there are too many people in prison, ask them how many thugs they’re willing to relocate to their neighborhood. The answer: None.”
- “The only victim of a violent crime is the person getting shot, stabbed, or raped. The perpetrator is never a victim. He’s nothing more than a predator.”
Civil Rights - Gender and Sexual Orientation
Trump has consistently opposed same-sex marriage, claiming he is simply a traditional guy. He acknowledges, “I have so many fabulous friends who happen to be gay, but I am a traditionalist.” However, he still believes that LGBT individuals should not be discriminated against based on their gender and sexual orientation, and he has made concerted efforts to end this discrimination. Although Trump firmly opposes marriage equality, MSNBC notes that in comparison to other candidates, Trump, in fact, may be “the most LGBT-friendly Republican running for president” because of his willingness to end discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. Aside from his personal opinion regarding the civil rights of LGBT citizens, Trump does not feel that these views need to be strongly taken into account during the presidential candidacy. He feels that the president has “other problems” to focus on and fails to mention any opinion on the matter on his official campaign website. After Trump’s “pro-choice” beliefs have evolved since 1999, he is now firmly “pro-life.” He claims that many years ago, friends of his were going to abort their child, but did not end up doing it, and now “that child today is a total superstar, a great, great child.” While he has faced opposition for basing a large part of his opinion on this one instance, Trump still stand by his beliefs and believes that abortion should not be permitted unless “in the cases when a pregnancy endangers the life of a mother or is the result of rape or incest.”
Trump's conflicting views on certain issues have led to criticism from other candidates and the media. One specific contradiction that Mother Jones has called Trump out on is his opinion on domestic partnerships in comparison to full marriage equality. While Trump has consistently opposed full marriage equality, there have been instances in which he supported civil unions, later reversing himself. Similarly, his strong, “pro-choice in every respect” mentality that existed throughout the 1990s has now shifted. In an article written by Andy Kroll, the author references a long interview between Trump and The Advocate, a magazine covering LGBT issues. In this interview, as a Republican, Trump held a very liberal stance on the gay rights issues discussed in the interview, even supporting "a very strong domestic-partnership law." This controversy continues with Trump’s views on non-discrimination laws and same-sex marriage. In a recent interview on Meet the Press, Trump conveyed that he does not believe it is fair for an employee to be fired based on their sexuality. However, in the very same interview, Trump also reiterated his strong opposition toward same-sex marriage.
Policy Proposals
Relevant History
Representative Quotes
Trump's conflicting views on certain issues have led to criticism from other candidates and the media. One specific contradiction that Mother Jones has called Trump out on is his opinion on domestic partnerships in comparison to full marriage equality. While Trump has consistently opposed full marriage equality, there have been instances in which he supported civil unions, later reversing himself. Similarly, his strong, “pro-choice in every respect” mentality that existed throughout the 1990s has now shifted. In an article written by Andy Kroll, the author references a long interview between Trump and The Advocate, a magazine covering LGBT issues. In this interview, as a Republican, Trump held a very liberal stance on the gay rights issues discussed in the interview, even supporting "a very strong domestic-partnership law." This controversy continues with Trump’s views on non-discrimination laws and same-sex marriage. In a recent interview on Meet the Press, Trump conveyed that he does not believe it is fair for an employee to be fired based on their sexuality. However, in the very same interview, Trump also reiterated his strong opposition toward same-sex marriage.
Policy Proposals
- Amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation.
- Enact a ban on abortion during the last four months of a pregnancy, as at this point in the pregnancy, “infants can feel pain and are capable of surviving long-term outside of the womb.”
Relevant History
- Trump demonstrated his support of ending discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation by publicly disagreeing with Kentucky clerk Kim Davis’ decision to refuse issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Representative Quotes
- “I like the idea of amending the Civil Rights Act to include a ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation. It would be simple. It would be straightforward. . . . Amending the Civil Rights Act would grant the same protection to gay people that we give to other Americans — it’s only fair.”
- "A president should not be elected based on marriage equality because we have 'other problems.”’
Civil Rights - Race and Ethnicity
Donald Trump’s views on racial and ethnic inequality are similar to those of the rest of the Republican Party. He believes that more power should be put in the hands of police officers, and has criticized Obama for not standing by law enforcement. With respect to Affirmative Action, not only has he opposed it, but he has also accused recipients of robbing college admission from deserving white people. Through his Twitter account, he has pointed out that a large percentage of crime in American cities has been caused by Hispanics and blacks, even before he officially began his campaign. Through his immigration plan, he has accused Mexicans of stealing American jobs and has encouraged the deportation of millions of undocumented Mexicans.
Hillary Clinton has called Donald Trump’s references to Mexicans racist and offensive. She has said that Americans should speak out against his comments and show him that his thinking has no place in the United States. Bernie Sanders has called Trump’s plans on immigration racist, and condemned them for playing on people’s fears. He has accused Trump of labeling an entire group of people by the actions of a few, specifically after Trump proposed banning all Muslims from the United States.
Policy Proposals
Relevant History
Representative Quotes
Hillary Clinton has called Donald Trump’s references to Mexicans racist and offensive. She has said that Americans should speak out against his comments and show him that his thinking has no place in the United States. Bernie Sanders has called Trump’s plans on immigration racist, and condemned them for playing on people’s fears. He has accused Trump of labeling an entire group of people by the actions of a few, specifically after Trump proposed banning all Muslims from the United States.
Policy Proposals
- Strengthen the American Border between Mexico and the United States, potentially through building a wall.
- Deport millions of undocumented immigrants. According to his own website, he believes that the reason for strengthening our borders is that the Mexican government has been using the United States to send away the crime and poverty of their own nation. He has pointed to the three million incarcerated aliens in America.
- Temporarily ban all Muslims from entering the nation until “our country's representatives can figure out what is going on" (following the shootings in San Bernardino).
Relevant History
- After the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, Trump criticized the press for not identifying the case as an issue of racism.
- Through his Twitter account, Trump has repeatedly pointed to crime rates by Hispanics and African Americans as an issue.
- He has repeatedly blamed Hispanics, especially Mexicans, for taking American jobs and for causing crime throughout America.
Representative Quotes
- “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best, they’re not sending you. They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime, they’re rapists, and some, I assume, are good people.”
- "[W]e have to give power back to the police because we have to have law and order. Hundreds of killings are in Baltimore. Hundreds of killings are in Chicago. And New York is not doing so great in terms of that front. We have to give strength and power back to the police. And you're always going to have mistakes made. And you're always going to have bad apples. But you can't let that stop the fact that police have to regain some control of this tremendous crime wave and killing wave that's happening in this country."
Fundraising Sources
Money Raised & View on Campaign Finance
As of October 16, 2015, Donald Trump raised $5,828,922, all through his campaign. Thirty-three percent of these donations are from Trump himself, and at the beginning of his candidacy, Trump funded his whole campaign. He stated, “I don’t need anybody’s money. I’m using my own money. I’m not using the lobbyists. I’m not using donors. I don’t care. I’m really rich.” However, now a large portion of his campaign is financed by about 74,000 individual supporters (48% percent of his total campaign money). These individuals come from all areas of the United States, as well as both parties. 81.6% of his donors are male; most earn less than $50,000 a year and identify themselves as Catholic. Trump kept his word and has not taken any money from PACs of any sort, which is notable compared to every other candidate. Trump has said that “a lot of PACs are crooked business,” and has accused other Republican candidates such as Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio of being controlled by their super PACs. He also has disavowed nine super PACs that were designed to assist in his finances, and implored that all other candidates did the same.
Criticism
Once Trump required money from donors in order to succeed in his campaign, he continued to tell the public that he was self-funded, while he was accepting donations through his website. Even during the Republican debates, Trump stated, “And, I can tell you, I don’t have to give you a website, because I’m self-funding my campaign. I’m putting up my own money,” while he actually had a website for taking donations. Although no candidates have commented on this or any of Trump’s fundraising techniques, several news sites, such as CNN, have criticized him for it.
As of October 16, 2015, Donald Trump raised $5,828,922, all through his campaign. Thirty-three percent of these donations are from Trump himself, and at the beginning of his candidacy, Trump funded his whole campaign. He stated, “I don’t need anybody’s money. I’m using my own money. I’m not using the lobbyists. I’m not using donors. I don’t care. I’m really rich.” However, now a large portion of his campaign is financed by about 74,000 individual supporters (48% percent of his total campaign money). These individuals come from all areas of the United States, as well as both parties. 81.6% of his donors are male; most earn less than $50,000 a year and identify themselves as Catholic. Trump kept his word and has not taken any money from PACs of any sort, which is notable compared to every other candidate. Trump has said that “a lot of PACs are crooked business,” and has accused other Republican candidates such as Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio of being controlled by their super PACs. He also has disavowed nine super PACs that were designed to assist in his finances, and implored that all other candidates did the same.
Criticism
Once Trump required money from donors in order to succeed in his campaign, he continued to tell the public that he was self-funded, while he was accepting donations through his website. Even during the Republican debates, Trump stated, “And, I can tell you, I don’t have to give you a website, because I’m self-funding my campaign. I’m putting up my own money,” while he actually had a website for taking donations. Although no candidates have commented on this or any of Trump’s fundraising techniques, several news sites, such as CNN, have criticized him for it.
Defense and Foreign Policy
If Trump becomes President, he indicates that America will not commit to foreign policy efforts concerning trade, economic, and defense issues unless American allies around the world make a similar commitment — he feels that our allies should carry their "fair share" of the load. He has also expressed an unwillingness to over-commit to risky foreign undertakings. On the other hand, Trump advocates a China policy that includes increasing U.S. military presence in the Pacific in order to discourage aggressive Chinese behavior such as Chinese construction of man-made islands, military bases, and landing strips in international waters claimed by several different nations. Trump incited an international uproar when he advocated banning all Muslim immigrants in response to the terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino.
Jeb Bush has criticized Trump, stating, “Banning all Muslims is not a foreign policy, is not a serious proposal. In fact, a serious proposal would be aligning ourselves with the traditional, moderate Arab world, because without them we’re not going to be able to create stability and destroy ISIS.” Hillary Clinton has said, “We cannot give in to demagogues who play on our basest instincts. To all our Muslim American brothers and sisters: This is your country too. I’m proud to be your fellow American.” Rand Paul commented that killing terrorists’ families (see below) "would defy every norm that is America."
Policy Proposals
Relevant History
Representative Quotes
Jeb Bush has criticized Trump, stating, “Banning all Muslims is not a foreign policy, is not a serious proposal. In fact, a serious proposal would be aligning ourselves with the traditional, moderate Arab world, because without them we’re not going to be able to create stability and destroy ISIS.” Hillary Clinton has said, “We cannot give in to demagogues who play on our basest instincts. To all our Muslim American brothers and sisters: This is your country too. I’m proud to be your fellow American.” Rand Paul commented that killing terrorists’ families (see below) "would defy every norm that is America."
Policy Proposals
- Increase sanctions on Iran and improve and strengthen relations with Israel.
- Take a tougher stance against China, whom he sees as the “enemy.”
- Build up a strong military ground force in the Middle East to combat ISIS.
- Increase U.S. military presence in the Pacific in order to discourage aggressive Chinese behavior and to improve U.S. bargaining power with China on trade issues.
- Temporarily ban Muslims from entering the country.
- Trump is open to the American military's targeting of the families of terrorists.
- Without explaining the details Trump says he is the best at making deals so he will negotiate better deals and take a tougher stance against foreign powers
Relevant History
- As a businessman, Trump has not stated specific foreign policy proposals in the past, although he did oppose the Iraq invasion.
Representative Quotes
- “A dealmaker can keep many balls in the air, weigh the competing interests of other nations, and above all, constantly put America’s best interests first. The dealmaker knows when to be tough and when to back off. He knows when to bluff and he knows when to threaten, understanding that you threaten only when prepared to carry out the threat. The dealmaker is cunning, secretive, focused, and never settles for less than he wants. It’s been a long time since America had a president like that.”
- “Despite all the happy talk in Washington, the Chinese leaders are not our friends. I’ve been criticized for calling them our enemy. But what else do you call the people who are destroying your children’s’ and grandchildren’s future? What name would you prefer me to use for the people who are hell bent on bankrupting our nation, stealing our jobs, who spy on us to steal our technology, who are undermining our currency, and who are ruining our way of life? To my mind, that’s an enemy.”
- “Ultimately we have to deal with hostile nations in the only language they know: unshrinking conviction and the military power to back it up if need be. There and in that order are America’s two greatest assets in foreign affairs.”
- “I would knock out the source of their wealth, the primary sources of their wealth, which is oil. And in order to do that, you would have to put boots on the ground. I would knock the hell out of them, but I’d put a ring around it and I’d take the oil for our country.”
Business Regulation and Corporations
Trump’s economic policies focus on stimulating the economy through reduced taxes and budget cuts. He believes that the current tax rates are responsible for limiting the economy’s ability to grow as they restrict access to capital and discourage investment. He also views the debt as a danger to the long term stability of the economy and has proposed budget cuts across all federal agencies in hopes of solving this issue. While Trump does not support raising the minimum wage, he believes that having a “low” one is necessary.
Despite Trump enjoying success in the businesses world, economists have been quick to criticize his plan’s lack of depth and accountability. Steven Rattner, a Wall Street executive, commented on Trump’s economic policies: “Mr. Trump has been aligned with a flotilla of staunch conservatives who have argued for years that maintaining interest rates near zero is certain to unleash asset bubbles and rampant inflation.To date, that view has proved utterly wrong. Low interest rates have helped our economic recovery. And not only is inflation nowhere to be seen, but the prices of key barometers, like commodities and energy, are falling. The list of Mr. Trump’s wrongheaded ideas goes on and on: We shouldn’t increase the minimum wage, which is well below historic levels, after adjustment for inflation. Corporate taxes should be eliminated.”
Policy Proposals
Relevant History
Representative Quotes
Despite Trump enjoying success in the businesses world, economists have been quick to criticize his plan’s lack of depth and accountability. Steven Rattner, a Wall Street executive, commented on Trump’s economic policies: “Mr. Trump has been aligned with a flotilla of staunch conservatives who have argued for years that maintaining interest rates near zero is certain to unleash asset bubbles and rampant inflation.To date, that view has proved utterly wrong. Low interest rates have helped our economic recovery. And not only is inflation nowhere to be seen, but the prices of key barometers, like commodities and energy, are falling. The list of Mr. Trump’s wrongheaded ideas goes on and on: We shouldn’t increase the minimum wage, which is well below historic levels, after adjustment for inflation. Corporate taxes should be eliminated.”
Policy Proposals
- Reduce the debt and deficit by eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government.
- Ensure that no business pays more than 15% (20% less than the current rate) of their business income in taxes.
- Ensure that corporate income earned abroad remains subject to corporate taxes in the United States, though he has plans to allow for corporate income to reenter the country at a one-time discounted tax rate.
Relevant History
- Although Trump has never held a political office, his experiences in real estate means he has some knowledge of how the economy operates.
- However his political history has been inconsistent:
- In 2001 he identified as a Democrat stating that Republicans were “too crazy Right,” while supporting Democratic economic policies: “It just seems that the economy does better under the Democrats than the Republicans."
- He even went as far to state that if he were to run for office, he would do better as a Democrat than a Republican.
- He then reversed his stance around 2009, and has since criticised policies he previously endorsed such as a high minimum wage, high business taxes, and curtailing Wall Street's influence.
Representative Quotes
- "We are a country that is being beaten on every front, economically, militarily. There is nothing that we do now to win. Our taxes are too high."
- “Wages [are] too high, we're not going to be able to compete against the world. I hate to say it, but we have to leave it the way it is.”
Education
The day Donald Trump announced his candidacy, he joined his fellow GOP candidates in chastising Jeb Bush for his support of the Common Core standards.Trump believes that education standards should be left to the states, and the Common Core is a complete overreach of federal power. Trump continued to state that as president he would cut funding for the Department of Education. Trump promotes school choice, charter schools, and vouchers. He believes they promote competition and the best educational system is run like a business.
Trump has been criticized for oversimplifying the debate over Common Core education. Supporters of the Common Core, such as Bush, Clinton, O’Malley, Kasich, and Sanders, believe that there is too much variance among states. They believe that Common Core makes educational achievement consistent nationwide, allowing the United States to be in a better position for international competition. Trump portrays the government as dictatorially imposing Common Core among states. However, according to the Educational Law Center, states that do not want to adopt Common Core have always had the option of opting out.
Policy Proposals
Relevant History
Representative Quotes
Trump has been criticized for oversimplifying the debate over Common Core education. Supporters of the Common Core, such as Bush, Clinton, O’Malley, Kasich, and Sanders, believe that there is too much variance among states. They believe that Common Core makes educational achievement consistent nationwide, allowing the United States to be in a better position for international competition. Trump portrays the government as dictatorially imposing Common Core among states. However, according to the Educational Law Center, states that do not want to adopt Common Core have always had the option of opting out.
Policy Proposals
- End Common Core, which he sees as an overreach of federal power, to make education standards decided on a local level.
- Cut the Department of Education.
- Fund school choice, charter schools, and vouchers with block grants to the states.
- Stop the government from profiting on student loans by “restructuring it.” (According to the Congressional Budget Office the government will generate $135 billion in profit off of the student loan program from 2015-2024, coming primarily from the interest the borrower pays on the loans.)
Relevant History
- Trump has consistently been opposed to the Department of Education, Common Core, and regulations, and government intervention in state and local education standards.
- In his book published in 2000, The America We Deserve, Trump argued that school choice, vouchers, and charter schools create a competitive system that drastically improves education by offering an alternative to the public education model.
- At a Tea Party Convention on January 15, 2015, Trump said that the Department of Education would be cut way down.
- In a radio interview with Hugh Hewitt on February 15, 2015, Trump deemed the Common Core system as ridiculous, in that it allowed people in Washington to set the curriculum for people in Iowa.
Representative Quotes
- “We have to stop Common Core. We must keep education local and under parental control. Un-elected Washington bureaucrats shouldn’t determine what is best for our children.”
- “And we’ve got to bring on the competition — open the schoolhouse doors and let parents choose the best school for their children. Education reformers call this school choice, charter schools, vouchers, even opportunity scholarships. I call it competition — the American way.”
Taxes and Economic Policy
Trump uses his background in business as a selling point for his tax plan and his plans for the economy. He has proposed what he calls a revenue neutral plan, which means that his plan would neither increase revenues nor increase the deficit. Trump has preached that his tax plan would even force him to pay more taxes than he currently does. His plan calls for heavier taxes on “the very rich” and no tax at all for those making less than $25,000 per year. He also has vowed to cut taxes for working middle class families and, similarly to Carly Fiorina, to simplify the tax code. Trump’s philosophy of tax reduction depends on an improving economy to ensure that it is revenue neutral.
One article criticizing Trump's tax plan cited a Tax Foundation study which indicated that Trump’s tax plan would raise the U.S. budget deficit approximately $10 trillion over 10 years. One writer cited columnist Al Hunt who criticized Trump’s plan by saying, “It is a fraud — a total fraud.” Hunt also said, “He’s going to massively increase defense spending and then he's going to have a huge revenue-losing tax plan. . . . There’s a lot of debt there.” The article also points out a critic who addresses the claim that Trump’s plan is “revenue-neutral.” The critic said that “There aren’t enough deductions to reduce the rates that low without making a huge increase in the deficit.”
Policy Proposals
Relevant History
Since Trump has never served in government, he has no history in terms of the actual proposal or execution of tax related legislation. However, he has expressed his views in the past as a private citizen:
Representative Quotes
One article criticizing Trump's tax plan cited a Tax Foundation study which indicated that Trump’s tax plan would raise the U.S. budget deficit approximately $10 trillion over 10 years. One writer cited columnist Al Hunt who criticized Trump’s plan by saying, “It is a fraud — a total fraud.” Hunt also said, “He’s going to massively increase defense spending and then he's going to have a huge revenue-losing tax plan. . . . There’s a lot of debt there.” The article also points out a critic who addresses the claim that Trump’s plan is “revenue-neutral.” The critic said that “There aren’t enough deductions to reduce the rates that low without making a huge increase in the deficit.”
Policy Proposals
- Eliminate income taxes for individuals making less than $25,000 and families making less than $50,000.
- Replace the current seven-bracket tax system with a four-bracket system of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 25%.
- Impose a 15% tax rate for all large corporations and small businesses.
Relevant History
Since Trump has never served in government, he has no history in terms of the actual proposal or execution of tax related legislation. However, he has expressed his views in the past as a private citizen:
- In 2000, Trump was in favor of a one time significant surtax on taxpayers “with a net-worth of more than $10 million.” Trump believed that this would have eliminated the U.S. debt.
- By 2011, Trump had changed his view and he said that such a tax would not be helpful since the national debt was so much larger than it was in 2000.
Representative Quotes
- "The hedge-fund guys are getting away with murder. They have to pay taxes. The middle class is the one, they're getting absolutely destroyed."
- "I will be the greatest jobs president that God ever created."
- “Fight crony capitalism with a level playing field.”
- "I fight like hell to pay as little as possible."
- "It will provide major tax relief for middle income and for most other Americans. There will be a major tax reduction," Trump said of his tax plan. "It'll simplify the tax code, it'll grow the American economy at a level that it hasn't seen for decades."
Immigration
Donald Trump’s immigration platform is centered around increasing border security, establishing a system which will strictly enforce immigration laws, and closing loopholes for undocumented immigrants. At the center of his platform is the idea of building a wall along the Mexico-U.S. border, in order to increase border security and reduce illegal immigration. Trump believes that it is Mexico’s responsibility to pay for this wall, claiming that they have caused American taxpayers to spend billions on health care, housing, education, and welfare for illegal immigrants. Until Mexico agrees to pay for the wall, Trump intends to place several economic pressures on them. Additionally, Trump does not agree with the concept of birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants. He also believes that we should be implementing immigration reform that puts American workers first.
Besides establishing a tough system to deport undocumented immigrants, he also wants to establish a system that allows these people to come back into our country. In a CNN interview with Dana Bash, he said, “I would get people out and then have an expedited way of getting them back into the country so they can be legal. . . . A lot of these people are helping us . . . and sometimes it’s jobs a citizen of the United States doesn’t want to do. I want to move ’em out, and we’re going to move ’em back in and let them be legal.”
Trump has been criticized by candidates on both sides. For example, Marco Rubio accused Trump of switching his position on the issue, saying, “Donald was a supporter of amnesty and of the DREAM Act, and he changed his position on those issues just to run for president.” And from Hillary Clinton: “I disagree with those who say Make America Great. We are great, and we’re going to stay great, and we’re going to get greater! Candidates for president are calling immigrants drug-runners and rapists. They promise, if elected, to round up and deport millions of people, build a mammoth wall, militarize the border, tear families apart."
Policy Proposals
Relevant History
Representative Quotes
Besides establishing a tough system to deport undocumented immigrants, he also wants to establish a system that allows these people to come back into our country. In a CNN interview with Dana Bash, he said, “I would get people out and then have an expedited way of getting them back into the country so they can be legal. . . . A lot of these people are helping us . . . and sometimes it’s jobs a citizen of the United States doesn’t want to do. I want to move ’em out, and we’re going to move ’em back in and let them be legal.”
Trump has been criticized by candidates on both sides. For example, Marco Rubio accused Trump of switching his position on the issue, saying, “Donald was a supporter of amnesty and of the DREAM Act, and he changed his position on those issues just to run for president.” And from Hillary Clinton: “I disagree with those who say Make America Great. We are great, and we’re going to stay great, and we’re going to get greater! Candidates for president are calling immigrants drug-runners and rapists. They promise, if elected, to round up and deport millions of people, build a mammoth wall, militarize the border, tear families apart."
Policy Proposals
- Build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, in order to increase border security and decrease rates of illegal immigration. If Mexico refuses to pay for the wall, Trump will “impound all remittance payments derived from illegal wages; increase fees on all temporary visas issued to Mexican CEOs and diplomats (and if necessary cancel them); increase fees on all border crossing cards — of which we issue about 1 million to Mexican nationals each year (a major source of visa overstays); increase fees on all NAFTA worker visas from Mexico (another major source of overstays); and increase fees at ports of entry to the United States from Mexico [Tariffs and foreign aid cuts are also options].”
- Temporarily ban all Muslims from entering the United States.
- Reduce the effect of the H-1B visas and require U.S. companies to hire qualified Americans first before considering foreign employment in order to decrease poverty and unemployment rates.
Relevant History
- Because Trump has never served in government, he has no history in terms of specific immigration policies.
Representative Quotes
- “I think the big problem this country has is being politically correct. I’ve been challenged by so many people and I don’t, frankly, have time for total political correctness. And to be honest with you, this country doesn’t have time, either.”
- "If it weren't for me, you wouldn't be talking about illegal immigration… This was not a subject that was on anybody's mind until I brought it up at my announcement.”
Health Care and Social Security
Donald Trump plans to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. He has not released a concrete plan, but he does intend to have everyone covered by making deals with existing hospitals. He also plans to have health care available for purchase across state lines. In the past, he has voiced his support for a single-payer system, but recently has stated he supported a free market approach as well. As for Social Security, he does not plan on increasing the retirement age like most of his Republican counterparts, and he intends on preserving it for later generations. He is a firm believer in the Social Security system and says he understands it’s important for those who have been putting their money in it all their lives so they can retire.
Trump’s main opposition on health care is within his own party, for his views don’t really match the other Republican candidates' policies. For example, Ted Cruz criticized Trump, saying that he and Democrat Bernie Sanders “have basically the same health care plan.” Some critics, such as Reid Ribble, agree with Cruz and think Trump’s health care plan is not very conservative for a Republican candidate.
Policy Proposals
Relevant History
Donald Trump has no official political history except for this race, for he has never served in government before. However, he has addressed health care before:
Representative Quotes
Trump’s main opposition on health care is within his own party, for his views don’t really match the other Republican candidates' policies. For example, Ted Cruz criticized Trump, saying that he and Democrat Bernie Sanders “have basically the same health care plan.” Some critics, such as Reid Ribble, agree with Cruz and think Trump’s health care plan is not very conservative for a Republican candidate.
Policy Proposals
- Privatize health care to create competition among insurance companies.
- Make healthcare available for purchase across state lines.
- Have those who cannot afford health care covered by making deals with hospitals.
- Preserve the Social Security program and keep the retirement age the same.
Relevant History
Donald Trump has no official political history except for this race, for he has never served in government before. However, he has addressed health care before:
- .In 1999, Trump was quoted saying “if you can’t take care of your sick in the country, forget it, it’s all over. . . . I believe in universal health care."
- He also wrote in his book, published in 2000, The America That We Deserve, that in order for the U.S. to provide health care for everyone a single-payer system would be best.
Representative Quotes
- “I am going to take care of everybody. I don’t care if it costs me votes or not. Everybody’s going to be taken care of much better than they are taken care of now.”
- “...What I want to do is take money back from other countries that are killing us and I want to save Social Security. And we’re going to save it without increases.We’re not going to raise the age and it will be just fine.”
Poverty and Social Welfare Programs
Instead of focusing on reforming welfare or education, Donald Trump’s policies for addressing poverty come in two forms: a tax reform and an adjustment of foreign relations. Specifically, he proposes to drastically reduce federal income taxes for the poorest Americans, while also reducing incidental taxes such as estate taxes. He also very explicitly blames illegal immigration and trade relations with foreign nations like China for robbing the United States of jobs, and believes eliminating illegal immigration from Mexico and renegotiating trade deals will create jobs for the lowest classes of Americans, with additional measures such as requirements that businesses hire American employees before foreigners to provide working opportunities for the poor. These policies revolve around a strong conviction in the motivation of the lowest classes to work, as Trump believes insufficient jobs causes more poverty than anything else, and the poor will seize the opportunity afforded by additional job opportunities at home. Trump is one of the few Republican candidates that is in fact opposed to reducing welfare, as his plan focuses on job creation and lower taxes rather than changing the way welfare is distributed by the government.
Policy Proposals
Relevant History
Representative Quotes
Policy Proposals
- Reduce the number of tax brackets and the level of taxes within each bracket, and completely eliminate taxes for the lowest income group (anyone earning less than $25,000).
- Require American businesses to hire American workers first.
- Reduce income taxes for businesses.
- Hold China accountable for low labor standards and currency manipulation and change the relationship American companies have with the Chinese market, in the hopes of returning manufacturing employment to the United States.
Relevant History
- Trump’s history with this topic, owing to his lack of government service, is limited, though he has been consistent in maintaining illegal immigration and poor trade relations as the causes of the nation’s poverty.
Representative Quotes
- “I will be the greatest jobs president that God ever created! I tell you that.”
- “We have to take it away and take it back from all of the countries that have just ripped us, and they're just tearing the money out of our pockets.”