Ten years ago, on June 16, 2015, internationally famous reality TV  star and real estate mogul Donald Trump officially declared his candidacy for President of the United States.

Along with his wife Melania, he descended the “golden escalator” to the lobby of Trump Tower. He delivered an announcement speech that shocked the political world, starting the most remarkable presidential campaign in history.

Trump’s comments set the political world on fire. He was immediately rebuked for his supposedly “racist” comments about Mexico. Trump said, “When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best…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.”

Within two weeks of his announcement, NBC ended its “business relationship” with Trump on his hit show, The Apprentice, and the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants. NBC claimed the decision was due to Trump’s “derogatory statements…regarding immigrants.”

Joining NBC in condemning Trump were the entire mainstream media and the Republican Party establishment. Trump’s opponent in the race for the GOP presidential nomination, former Texas Governor Rick Perry, called him a “cancer on conservatism” and a “barking carnival act.”

Despite the criticism, Trump, the carnival barker and political neophyte, took the lead in the crowded field of Republican presidential candidates within weeks of entering the race. A July 2015 CNN poll showed Trump on top with 18% support while 52% of Republican voters wanted him to remain in the race, despite the withering criticism.

Trump succeeded because Republican voters, by 2015, were tired of the never-ending wars. They were also tired of the neocon wing of the GOP, represented by former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. Due........

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