Donald Trump 2016 presidential campaign#Announcement

{{See also|Donald Trump 2000 presidential campaign}}

Since the 1988 presidential election, Trump was discussed as a potential candidate for president in nearly every election.{{cite news |last=Madison |first=Lucy |date=October 4, 2010 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-for-president-in-2012/ |title=Donald Trump for President in 2012? |work=CBS News |access-date=October 4, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006001839/https://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20018405-503544.html |archive-date=6 October 2010 }}{{cite news |last=Zwick |first=Jesse |date=October 4, 2010 |url=http://washingtonindependent.com/99472/donald-trump-for-president |title=Donald Trump for President? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008062443/http://washingtonindependent.com/99472/donald-trump-for-president |archive-date=October 8, 2010 |work=The Washington Independent }} In October 1999, Trump declared himself a potential candidate for the Reform Party's presidential nomination,{{cite web |title=Donald Trump Ran for President in 2000 in Several Reform Party Primaries |url=http://ballot-access.org/2011/12/25/donald-trump-ran-for-president-in-2000-in-several-reform-party-presidential-primaries/ |website=Ballot Access News |date=December 25, 2011 |publisher=Richard Wagner |access-date=June 17, 2015 |ref=December 25, 2011 |archive-date=June 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617193606/http://ballot-access.org/2011/12/25/donald-trump-ran-for-president-in-2000-in-several-reform-party-presidential-primaries/ |url-status=live }} but withdrew on February 14, 2000.{{cite news |title=Trump: Reform Party 'A Total Mess' |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2000-02-14-0002150046-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=June 17, 2015 |work=Chicago Tribune |date=February 14, 2000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617191838/https://articles.chicagotribune.com/2000-02-14/news/0002150046_1_donald-trump-reform-party-new-party |archive-date=2015-06-17 }} In 2004, Trump said that he identified as a Democrat.{{cite news |title=Trump in '04: 'I probably identify more as Democrat' |url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/21/politics/donald-trump-election-democrat/ |access-date=February 1, 2016 |work=CNN |date=July 22, 2015 |archive-date=December 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215185332/https://www.cnn.com/2015/07/21/politics/donald-trump-election-democrat/ |url-status=live }} Trump rejoined the Republican Party in September 2009, chose no party affiliation in December 2011, and again rejoined the GOP in April 2012.{{cite news |title=Donald Trump (NY-R-I-D-R-NP-R) Has Twice Dumped The GOP, But Remains A Republican At Press Time |url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/buster/donald-trump/donald-trump-voter-history-567920 |access-date=November 28, 2016 |publisher=The Smoking Gun |date=June 16, 2015 |archive-date=July 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160724132816/http://www.thesmokinggun.com/buster/donald-trump/donald-trump-voter-history-567920 |url-status=live }}

At the 2011 Conservative Political Action Conference, Trump said he is "pro-life" and "against gun control".{{cite news |last=Gibson |first=David |date=February 11, 2011 |url=http://www.politicsdaily.com/2011/02/11/donald-trump-family-values-conservative-believe-it-or-not/ |title=Donald Trump, Family Values Conservative—Believe It or Not |work=Politics Daily |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701161806/http://www.politicsdaily.com/2011/02/11/donald-trump-family-values-conservative-believe-it-or-not/ |archive-date=July 1, 2015 }}{{cite news |newspaper=The Washington Post |first=Dana |last=Milbank |author-link=Dana Milbank |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/12/AR2011021200109.html |date=February 13, 2011 |title=The Donald trumps the pols at CPAC |archive-date=October 9, 2020 |access-date=August 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009215204/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/12/AR2011021200109.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |publisher=Ontheissues.org |url=http://www.ontheissues.org/Donald_Trump.htm |title=Political Leaders: Donald Trump On the issues |access-date=July 6, 2015 |archive-date=December 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213224859/http://www.ontheissues.org/Donald_Trump.htm |url-status=live }} He also spoke before Tea Party supporters.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/04/12/cruz-and-paul-greeted-by-cheers-at-tea-partys-2016-warm-up/ |title=Ted Cruz and Rand Paul are the big draws at the Freedom Summit |author=Jaime Fuller |date=April 12, 2014 |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-date=July 30, 2015 |access-date=August 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150730214625/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/04/12/cruz-and-paul-greeted-by-cheers-at-tea-partys-2016-warm-up/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.c-span.org/video/?318743-2/donald-trump-freedom-summit |title=Donald Trump Freedom Summit—Video |publisher=C-SPAN.org |access-date=June 16, 2015 |archive-date=June 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630151027/http://www.c-span.org/video/?318743-2/donald-trump-freedom-summit |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/04/16/trump-bashes-boasts-and-curses-in-first-major-tea-party-speech/ |title=Trump bashes, boasts, and curses in first major Tea Party speech |work=CNN |date=April 16, 2011 |access-date=June 16, 2015 |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224044334/https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/04/16/trump-bashes-boasts-and-curses-in-first-major-tea-party-speech/ |url-status=dead }}

Early polls for the 2012 election had Trump among the leading candidates.{{cite news |last=Haberman |first=Maggie |date=March 7, 2011 |url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/politics/Trump_tops_Romney__Pawlenty-117496043.html |title=Trump tops Romney, Pawlenty |work=WNBC |archive-date=July 14, 2011 |access-date=June 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714161806/http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/politics/Trump_tops_Romney__Pawlenty-117496043.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-02-21/obama-hits-50-percent-approval-rating-according-to-new-newsweekdaily-beast-poll/ |title=Obama Hits 50 Percent Approval Rating, According to New Newsweek/Daily Beast Poll |work=Newsweek / Daily Beast Company LLC |first=Douglas |last=Schoen |date=February 21, 2011 |access-date=June 16, 2015 |archive-date=April 29, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429024421/http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-02-21/obama-hits-50-percent-approval-rating-according-to-new-newsweekdaily-beast-poll/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Shadid |first=Aliyah |date=April 15, 2011 |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2011/04/15/2011-04-15_donald_trump_takes_lead_in_gop_primary_poll_beats_romney_huckabee_palin_gingrich.html |title=Donald Trump takes lead in GOP primary poll, beats Romney, Huckabee, Palin, Gingrich, Bachmann, Paul |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110418235941/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2011/04/15/2011-04-15_donald_trump_takes_lead_in_gop_primary_poll_beats_romney_huckabee_palin_gingrich.html |archive-date=April 18, 2011 |work=Daily News |location=New York |access-date=April 17, 2011 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_US_0510925.pdf |website=Public Policy Polling |title=Republicans to Trump: You're fired |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170116060436/http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_US_0510925.pdf |archive-date = January 16, 2017 |access-date = July 23, 2021}} In December 2011, Trump placed sixth in the "ten most admired men and women living of 2011" telephone survey conducted jointly by USA Today and Gallup.{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/28/donald-trump-sixth-gallup-most-admired-list_n_1172416.html |title=Donald Trump Places Sixth On Gallup's 'Most Admired' List |work=HuffPost |date=December 28, 2011 |archive-date=May 19, 2017 |access-date=February 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519085851/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/28/donald-trump-sixth-gallup-most-admired-list_n_1172416.html |url-status=live }} However, Trump announced in May 2011 that after what he termed "several months unofficially campaigning", he would not be a candidate for the office.{{cite news |last1=MacAskill |first1=Ewen |title=Donald Trump bows out of 2012 US presidential election race |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/may/16/donald-trump-us-presidential-race |access-date=June 16, 2015 |work=The Guardian |date=May 16, 2011 |archive-date=February 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200209145621/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/may/16/donald-trump-us-presidential-race |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Diamond |first1=Jeremy |title=Trump jumps in: The Donald's latest White House run is officially on |url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/16/politics/donald-trump-2016-announcement-elections/ |access-date=June 16, 2015 |work=CNN |date=June 16, 2015 |archive-date=June 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618022749/http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/16/politics/donald-trump-2016-announcement-elections |url-status=live }}

In 2013, Trump was a featured speaker at the Conservative Political Action Conference.{{cite news |last=Moody |first=Chris |date=March 5, 2013 |title=Donald Trump to address CPAC |url=https://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/donald-trump-address-cpac-205409450--politics.html |publisher=Yahoo! News |access-date=June 16, 2015 |archive-date=March 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130307150658/http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/donald-trump-address-cpac-205409450--politics.html |url-status=live }} In May 2013, it was reported that Trump had spent 1 million dollars on researching a presidential run in 2016.{{Cite web |last=Chaggaris |first=Steve |date=2013-05-27 |title=Trump thinking - again - about running for president - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-thinking-again-about-running-for-president/ |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}} In October 2013, some New York Republicans, including Joseph Borelli and Carl Paladino (who later served as New York State Co-chairmen for the presidential campaign),{{cite magazine |last1=Freedlander |first1=David |title=How the New York State Republicans Could Have Derailed Trump's White House Run |url=https://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/01/how-the-new-york-gop-could-have-derailed-trump.html |magazine=The New Yorker |access-date=January 7, 2016 |archive-date=July 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704215457/http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/01/how-the-new-york-gop-could-have-derailed-trump.html |url-status=live }} suggested Trump should instead run for governor of the state in 2014.{{cite news |last=Spector |first=Joseph |title=N.Y. Republicans want Donald Trump to run for governor |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/10/14/trump-new-york-governor/2979589/ |work=USA Today |date=October 14, 2013 |access-date=October 31, 2013 |archive-date=October 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019172014/http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/10/14/trump-new-york-governor/2979589/ |url-status=live }} John Gauger, a former employee of Liberty University, told The Wall Street Journal in January 2019 that Trump's "fixer" Michael Cohen hired him to manipulate the Drudge Report and CNBC online polls in favor of Trump in 2014 and 2015.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/18/us/trump-falwell-endorsement-michael-cohen.html|title=The Evangelical, the 'Pool Boy,' the Comedian and Michael Cohen|first1=Frances|last1=Robles|first2=Jim|last2=Rutenberg|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 18, 2019|archive-date=March 8, 2021|access-date=June 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308151114/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/18/us/trump-falwell-endorsement-michael-cohen.html|url-status=live}} In February 2015, Trump did not renew his television contract for The Apprentice, which raised speculation of his candidacy for President of the United States in 2016.{{cite news |last=Feely |first=Paul |date=February 27, 2015 |url=http://www.unionleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20150227/NEWS0605/150229334/1010/Art |title=Trump won't renew 'Apprentice' so that he might focus on a presidential run |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710152015/http://www.unionleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20150227%2FNEWS0605%2F150229334%2F1010%2FArt |archive-date=July 10, 2015 |work=New Hampshire Union Leader }} According to an April 7, 2015, memo released by WikiLeaks, Hillary Clinton's campaign instructed the Democratic National Convention to focus on "Pied Piper candidates" Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, and Ben Carson.{{cite web |last=Derespina |first=Cody |title=7 biggest revelations from WikiLeaks release of Podesta emails |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/7-biggest-revelations-from-wikileaks-release-of-podesta-emails |website=Fox News |access-date=August 12, 2019 |date=October 11, 2016 |archive-date=December 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219080928/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/7-biggest-revelations-from-wikileaks-release-of-podesta-emails |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=The Democratic National Committee Re: 2016 GOP presidential candidates |url=https://wikileaks.org/podesta-emails/fileid/1120/251 |website=WikiLeaks |access-date=August 12, 2019 |format=PDF |archive-date=February 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209180404/https://wikileaks.org/podesta-emails/fileid/1120/251 |url-status=dead }}

File:Donald Trump Laconia Rally, Laconia, NH 4 by Michael Vadon July 16 2015 20.jpg

Trump formally announced his candidacy on June 16, 2015, with a campaign rally and a speech at Trump Tower in New York City. In the moments before his announcement, he came down a golden escalator at Trump Tower, which has since become a metonym for Trump's announcement.{{cite news|author=Michael Kruse|title=The Escalator Ride That Changed America|work=Politico|url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/06/14/donald-trump-campaign-announcement-tower-escalator-oral-history-227148/|date=June 14, 2019|archive-date=December 29, 2021|access-date=December 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229142312/https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/06/14/donald-trump-campaign-announcement-tower-escalator-oral-history-227148/|url-status=live}} In his speech, Trump drew attention to domestic issues such as illegal immigration, offshoring of American jobs, the U.S. national debt, and Islamic terrorism. The campaign slogan was announced as "Make America Great Again".{{refn|{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/06/16/full-text-donald-trump-announces-a-presidential-bid/ |title=Full text: Donald Trump announces a presidential bid |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=June 16, 2015 |access-date=August 26, 2017 |archive-date=July 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707114528/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/06/16/full-text-donald-trump-announces-a-presidential-bid/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first=Reid J. |last=Epstein |date=June 16, 2015 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-to-unveil-plans-for-2016-presidential-race-1434448982 |title=Donald Trump Enters 2016 Presidential Race |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |archive-date=July 26, 2015 |access-date=March 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150726060551/http://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-to-unveil-plans-for-2016-presidential-race-1434448982 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first1=John |last1=Santucci |first2=Veronica |last2=Stracqualursi |date=June 16, 2015 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/donald-trump-announces-2016-presidential-campaign-make-country/story?id=31799741 |title=Donald Trump Announces 2016 Presidential Campaign: 'We Are Going Make our Country Great Again' |work=ABC News |archive-date=April 29, 2019 |access-date=April 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190429121331/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/donald-trump-announces-2016-presidential-campaign-make-country/story?id=31799741 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first=Susan |last=Page |date=June 16, 2015 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2015/06/16/donald-trump-announcement-president/28782433/ |title=This time, Donald Trump says he's running |newspaper=USA Today |archive-date=July 21, 2018 |access-date=August 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721195259/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2015/06/16/donald-trump-announcement-president/28782433/ |url-status=live }}}} Trump declared that he would self-fund his presidential campaign, and would refuse any money from donors and lobbyists.{{cite web |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/donald-trump-2016-announcement-10-best-lines-119066.html |title=The 10 best lines from Donald Trump's announcement speech |author=Adam B. Lerner |date=June 16, 2015 |work=Politico |access-date=August 8, 2015 |archive-date=August 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150826042049/http://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/donald-trump-2016-announcement-10-best-lines-119066.html |url-status=live }} Ladbrokes offered 150/1 odds of Trump winning the presidency.{{Cite news |url=http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/politics/the_year_the_bookies_were_confounded_150_1_on_trump_becoming_us_president_and_100_1_on_alan_partridge_becoming_the_mayor_of_east_anglia_1_4832435 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231074641/http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/politics/the_year_the_bookies_were_confounded_150_1_on_trump_becoming_us_president_and_100_1_on_alan_partridge_becoming_the_mayor_of_east_anglia_1_4832435 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 31, 2016 |title=The year the bookies were confounded—150/1 on Trump becoming US President and 100/1 on Alan Partridge becoming the Mayor of East Anglia |last=Dickinson |first=Annabelle |date=December 30, 2016 |newspaper=Eastern Daily Press }} The campaign hired a casting company to supply paid actors to attend the event.{{cite news|last1=Couch|first1=Aaron|last2=McDermott|first2=Emmet|title=Donald Trump Campaign Offered Actors $50 to Cheer for Him at Presidential Announcement|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/donald-trump-campaign-offered-actors-803161|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=June 17, 2015|access-date=November 5, 2018|archive-date=March 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301164609/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/donald-trump-campaign-offered-actors-803161|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Samuelsohn |first1=Darren |last2=Rojas |first2=Warren |last3=Gaudiano |first3=Nicole |last4=LoBianco |first4=Tom |last5=Wren |first5=Adam |last6=Seddiq |first6=Oma |title=Former Trump aide says campaign paid actors to appear at his 2016 presidential announcement |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-aide-says-paid-actors-for-2016-campaign-announcement-2021-7 |access-date=July 20, 2021 |work=Business Insider |date=July 19, 2021 |archive-date=November 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112231627/https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-aide-says-paid-actors-for-2016-campaign-announcement-2021-7 |url-status=live }}

Following the announcement, most of the media's attention focused on Trump's comment on illegal immigration: "When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best{{nbsp}}... They're sending people that have lots of problems, and they're bringing those problems with [them]. They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people."{{cite news |editor=Epstein, Reid J. |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2015/06/16/donald-trump-transcript-our-country-needs-a-truly-great-leader/ |title=Donald Trump Transcript: 'Our Country Needs a Truly Great Leader'—Washington Wire |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=June 16, 2015 |access-date=July 17, 2015 |archive-date=August 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808025653/https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2015/06/16/donald-trump-transcript-our-country-needs-a-truly-great-leader/ |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/04/magazine/donald-trump-is-not-going-anywhere.html |title=Donald Trump Is Not Going Anywhere Where does his political adventure end? "I have no idea. But I'm here now. And it's beautiful." |magazine=The New York Times Magazine |date=September 29, 2015 |access-date=September 29, 2015 |author=Leibovich, Mark |archive-date=July 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160725201149/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/04/magazine/donald-trump-is-not-going-anywhere.html |url-status=live }} The comment was interpreted and reported various ways.{{cite web |last1=Martinez |first1=Alberto |title=The media needs to stop telling this lie about Donald Trump. I'm a Sanders supporter -- and value honesty |url=https://www.salon.com/2015/12/21/the_media_needs_to_stop_telling_this_lie_about_donald_trump_im_a_sanders_supporter_and_value_honesty/ |website=Salon.com |date=December 21, 2015 |publisher=Salon.com LLC |access-date=20 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151221193518/https://www.salon.com/2015/12/21/the_media_needs_to_stop_telling_this_lie_about_donald_trump_im_a_sanders_supporter_and_value_honesty/ |archive-date=21 December 2015}} Trump's statement was controversial and led several businesses and organizations—including NBC, Macy's, Univision, and NASCAR—to cut ties with Trump.{{refn|{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/12/donald-trump-immigration_n_7781140.html |title=Donald Trump: It's 'Okay' To Call Undocumented Immigrants 'Rapists' |work=HuffPost |date=July 12, 2015 |archive-date=March 17, 2018 |access-date=February 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317015102/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/12/donald-trump-immigration_n_7781140.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2015/06/17/trumps-mexican-rapists-will-keep-the-republican-party-out-of-the-white-house/ |title=Donald Trump's 'Mexican rapists' rhetoric will keep the Republican Party out of the White House |author=Jonathan Capehart |date=June 17, 2015 |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-date=January 31, 2021 |access-date=August 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131083942/https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2015/06/17/trumps-mexican-rapists-will-keep-the-republican-party-out-of-the-white-house/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/nbc-donald-trump-2015-6 |title=NBC dumps Donald Trump—Business Insider |date=June 29, 2015 |work=Business Insider |access-date=August 9, 2015 |archive-date=August 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827235756/https://www.businessinsider.com/nbc-donald-trump-2015-6 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/06/mexico-donald-trump-immigration-debate |title=Divided Mexico unites against Trump: 'He has no respect for human beings' |author=Jo Tuckman |work=The Guardian |date=July 6, 2015 |access-date=December 14, 2016 |archive-date=December 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228181456/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/06/mexico-donald-trump-immigration-debate |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/17/opinions/kohn-donald-trump-announcement/index.html |title=Kohn: Trump's outrageous Mexico remarks |author-link=Sally Kohn |last=Kohn |first=Sally |date=June 17, 2015 |work=CNN |archive-date=January 17, 2021 |access-date=August 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117232316/https://www.cnn.com/2015/06/17/opinions/kohn-donald-trump-announcement/index.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/07/politics/trump-immigration-rapists-mexicans-clinton/index.html |title=Donald Trump digs in on immigration |author=Chris Moody |date=July 7, 2015 |work=CNN |archive-date=October 19, 2020 |access-date=August 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019171149/https://www.cnn.com/2015/07/07/politics/trump-immigration-rapists-mexicans-clinton/index.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-stands-by-statements-on-mexican-illegal-immigrants-surprised-by-backlash/ |title=Trump stands by statements on Mexican illegal immigrants, surprised by backlash |work=Fox News |date=July 4, 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trumps-epic-statement-on-mexico-2015-7 |title=Donald Trump's epic statement on Mexico |date=July 6, 2015 |work=Business Insider |access-date=July 8, 2015 |archive-date=August 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805160218/http://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trumps-epic-statement-on-mexico-2015-7 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://adage.com/article/al-ries/a-marketing-lesson-learned-donald-trump/299484/ |title=Is There a Marketing Lesson to Be Learned From Donald Trump? |work=Advertising Age |date=July 15, 2015 |access-date=January 18, 2016 |author=Ries, Al |archive-date=February 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202152105/http://adage.com/article/al-ries/a-marketing-lesson-learned-donald-trump/299484/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-i-didnt-expect-business-backlash-to-be-quite-this-severe/ |title=Donald Trump: I didn't expect business backlash to be "quite this severe" |date=July 4, 2015 |work=CBS News |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |access-date=April 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308001237/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-i-didnt-expect-business-backlash-to-be-quite-this-severe/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/santorum-trump-focused-on-an-important-issue-with-immigration/ |title=Santorum praises Trump's focus on immigration |date=July 5, 2015 |work=CBS News |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |access-date=April 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308043338/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/santorum-trump-focused-on-an-important-issue-with-immigration/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/movies/s/nascar-distances-itself-donald-trump-immigrant-rapist-remarks-223104617.html |title=NASCAR Distances Itself From Donald Trump After Immigrant "Rapist" Remarks |date=July 3, 2015 |publisher=Yahoo! |access-date=August 9, 2015 |archive-date=January 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103214613/https://www.yahoo.com/movies/s/nascar-distances-itself-donald-trump-immigrant-rapist-remarks-223104617.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2015/06/30/700000-protesters-beseech-macys-to-get-rid-of-donald-j-trump-clothing-and-merchandise/ |title=Macy's will end business relationship with Donald Trump |last=Givhan |first=Robin |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=July 1, 2015 |access-date=July 5, 2015 |archive-date=July 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704005730/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2015/06/30/700000-protesters-beseech-macys-to-get-rid-of-donald-j-trump-clothing-and-merchandise/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://money.cnn.com/2015/06/25/media/univision-donald-trump-mexicans/ |title=Univision dumps Trump, cancels Miss USA over his comments about Mexicans |last=Stelter |first=Brian |work=CNN |date=June 25, 2015 |access-date=July 5, 2015 |archive-date=June 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150625193817/http://money.cnn.com/2015/06/25/media/univision-donald-trump-mexicans/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/6b6ed3296a74497d87f8c782c12f0b84/nbc-severing-business-relationship-donald-trump |title=NBC to Donald Trump: You're fired; Televisa drops pageant |last=Bauder |first=David |agency=Associated Press |date=June 29, 2015 |access-date=July 24, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150726023506/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/6b6ed3296a74497d87f8c782c12f0b84/nbc-severing-business-relationship-donald-trump |archive-date=July 26, 2015 }}}} Reactions from other presidential candidates were mixed, with some Republican candidates disagreeing with the tone of Trump's remarks yet supporting the core idea that illegal immigration is an important campaign issue, while other Republican candidates, along with the leading Democratic candidates, condemning Trump's remarks and his policy stances as offensive or inflammatory.{{refn|{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/04/jeb-bush-donald-trump-immigration_n_7728474.html |title=Jeb Bush: Donald Trump's Immigration Remarks Offensive |work=HuffPost |date=July 4, 2015 |archive-date=October 24, 2015 |access-date=February 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024145238/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/04/jeb-bush-donald-trump-immigration_n_7728474.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://screen.yahoo.com/donald-trump-2016/scott-walker-tell-donald-trump-181308401.html |title=What Scott Walker Would Tell Donald Trump On a Debate Stage |date=July 13, 2015 |work=Yahoo! Screen |access-date=August 9, 2015 |archive-date=May 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160515140633/https://screen.yahoo.com/donald-trump-2016/scott-walker-tell-donald-trump-181308401.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |author=Ali Breland |date=July 3, 2015 |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/ted-cruz-defends-donald-trump-slams-washington-on-immigration-119726.html |work=Politico |title=Cruz announces $51 million fundraising haul |access-date=July 6, 2015 |archive-date=August 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821073302/http://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/ted-cruz-defends-donald-trump-slams-washington-on-immigration-119726.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/bernie-sanders-trumps-immigration-comments-outrage-n391231 |title=Bernie Sanders: Trump's Immigration Comments 'An Outrage' |author=Andrew Rafferty |work=NBC News |date=July 13, 2015 |access-date=April 16, 2020 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308103829/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/bernie-sanders-trumps-immigration-comments-outrage-n391231 |url-status=live }}}}

After the public backlash, Trump stood by his comments, citing news articles to back his claims. Trump said that he intended his comments to be aimed solely at the government of Mexico, specifically for using the insecure border as a means of transferring criminals into the United States and said he did not intend his comments to refer to immigrants themselves.{{refn|{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/hillary-clinton-donald-trump-basta/story?id=32426306 |title=Hillary Clinton to Donald Trump: 'Basta! Enough!' |work=ABC News |access-date=April 16, 2020 |archive-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208112658/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/hillary-clinton-donald-trump-basta/story?id=32426306 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/election-2016-donald-trump-doubles-down-on-mexican-immigrant-remarks/ |title=Election 2016: Donald Trump doubles down on Mexican immigrant remarks |work=CBS News |date=July 6, 2015 |access-date=July 17, 2015 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308134945/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/election-2016-donald-trump-doubles-down-on-mexican-immigrant-remarks/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/01/donald-trump-immigrants_n_7709798.html |title=Donald Trump Goes After Immigrants Again, Claiming To Have Facts |work=HuffPost |date=July 1, 2015 |access-date=July 17, 2015 |archive-date=December 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228233601/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/01/donald-trump-immigrants_n_7709798.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/will-donald-trump-move-the-needle-on-the-immigration-debate/ |title=Will Donald Trump move the needle on the immigration debate? |work=CBS News |date=July 10, 2015 |access-date=July 17, 2015 |archive-date=March 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307212004/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/will-donald-trump-move-the-needle-on-the-immigration-debate/ |url-status=live }}}}

File:Donald Trump Signs The Pledge 25.jpg candidate,{{efn | Recent historical examples: Johnson'12/Roemer'12/Goode'12, Barr'08/Keyes'08, Buchanan'00/Smith'00, Perot'92, Paul'88, and Anderson'80, see also Chafee'16.}} if he failed to clinch the nomination.]]

Following his June 2015 announcement, Trump traveled to several early primary states, including Iowa and New Hampshire, to campaign ahead of the 2016 Republican primaries.{{refn|{{cite web |url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2015/06/16/trump-iowa-debut-rally-des-moines/28846637/ |title=Trump riffs on policy, slams Hillary Clinton in Iowa |publisher=Desmoinesregister.com |date=June 17, 2015 |access-date=July 17, 2015 |archive-date=May 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160515140647/http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2015/06/16/trump-iowa-debut-rally-des-moines/28846637/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/07/01/suddenly-groundswell-support-for-trump/vV7U4okZgUopdK2zt158FP/story.html |title=Is Donald Trump for real in his campaign for president? New Hampshire thinks so—Metro |work=The Boston Globe |date=July 2, 2015 |access-date=July 17, 2015 |archive-date=January 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120132501/https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/07/01/suddenly-groundswell-support-for-trump/vV7U4okZgUopdK2zt158FP/story.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |author=Brandon Gunnoe |url=http://www.whdh.com/story/29347501/donald-trump-kicks-off-campaign-in-new-hampshire |title=Donald Trump kicks off campaign in New Hampshire—7News Boston WHDH-TV |publisher=Whdh.com |date=June 17, 2015 |access-date=July 17, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713022440/http://www.whdh.com/story/29347501/donald-trump-kicks-off-campaign-in-new-hampshire |archive-date=July 13, 2015 }}}} By early July 2015, Trump was campaigning in the West, giving rallies and speeches in Las Vegas and Los Angeles.{{cite web |url=http://lasvegassun.com/news/2015/jul/11/campaigning-las-vegas-trump-doubles-down-immigrati/ |title=Campaigning in Las Vegas, Trump doubles down on immigration stance—Las Vegas Sun News |date=July 11, 2015 |publisher=Lasvegassun.com |access-date=July 17, 2015 |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224123821/https://lasvegassun.com/news/2015/jul/11/campaigning-las-vegas-trump-doubles-down-immigrati/ |url-status=live }} On July 23, he visited the Mexican border and planned to meet with border guards. The meeting did not take place due to the intervention of the labor union of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection guards.{{cite news |url=https://news.yahoo.com/trump-travels-border-republicans-try-woo-hispanics-130321617.html |title=Border agents cancel meeting with Trump and he's not happy |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131021220/http://news.yahoo.com/trump-travels-border-republicans-try-woo-hispanics-130321617.html |archive-date=January 31, 2016 }}

In July, the Federal Election Commission released details of Trump's wealth and financial holdings, which he had submitted to them when he became a Republican presidential candidate. The report showed assets above $1.4 billion and outstanding debts of at least $265 million.{{cite news |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/donald-trump-wealth-details-released-federal-regulators-165854286--finance.html/ |publisher=Yahoo News |title=Donald Trump wealth details released by federal regulators |access-date=August 9, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801033902/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/donald-trump-wealth-details-released-federal-regulators-165854286--finance.html |archive-date=August 1, 2015}}{{cite news |url=http://images.businessweek.com/cms/2015-07-22/7-22-15-Report.pdf |title=Executive Branch Personnel Public Financial Disclosure Report (U.S. OGE Form 278e) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304075146/http://images.businessweek.com/cms/2015-07-22/7-22-15-Report.pdf |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |work=Bloomberg Businessweek |date=July 15, 2015 }} Shortly afterwards, Trump's campaign released a statement stating that his net worth is over $10 billion,{{cite news |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trumps-10-billion-financial-disclosure-report-2015-7/ |publisher=Bloomberg Business |title=The government just released a document detailing Donald Trump's alleged $10 billion fortune |archive-date=May 17, 2016 |access-date=July 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160517040055/http://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trumps-10-billion-financial-disclosure-report-2015-7 |url-status=live }} although Forbes estimated it to be $4.5 billion.{{cite magazine |last=Lane |first=Randall |date=October 19, 2015 |title=Inside The Epic Fantasy That's Driven Donald Trump For 33 Years |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/randalllane/2015/09/29/inside-the-epic-fantasy-thats-driven-donald-trump-for-33-years/ |magazine=Forbes |access-date=April 16, 2017 |archive-date=April 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180420203640/https://www.forbes.com/sites/randalllane/2015/09/29/inside-the-epic-fantasy-thats-driven-donald-trump-for-33-years/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/chasewithorn/2015/09/29/2015-forbes-400-full-list-of-americas-richest-people/ |title=2015 Forbes 400: Full List Of America's Richest People |last=Peterson-Withorn |first=Chase |date=September 29, 2015 |website=Forbes |access-date=April 16, 2017 |archive-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124092621/https://www.forbes.com/sites/chasewithorn/2015/09/29/2015-forbes-400-full-list-of-americas-richest-people/ |url-status=live }} On August 6, 2015, the first Republican primary debate took place on Fox News. During the debate, Trump refused to rule out a third-party candidacy.{{cite news |title=Sparks fly at opening of GOP debate as Trump won't pledge no independent run |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/08/06/sparks-fly-at-opening-gop-debate-as-trump-wont-pledge-no-independent-run/?intcmp=hpbt1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151110084501/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/08/07/sparks-fly-at-opening-gop-debate-as-trump-wont-pledge-no-independent-run/?intcmp=hpbt1|url-status=dead |access-date=August 7, 2015 |work=Fox News |date=August 6, 2015|archive-date = November 10, 2015}} Eventually, in September 2015, Trump signed a pledge promising his allegiance to the Republican Party.{{cite news |title=Trump calls GOP's bluff, The front-runner says he was promised nothing in return for signing the loyalty pledge. |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2015/09/trump-will-sign-gop-loyalty-pledge-213302 |access-date=September 14, 2015 |work=Politico |date=September 3, 2015 |first1=Mike |last1=Allen |first2=Ben |last2=Schreckinger |first3=Annie |last3=Karni |archive-date=March 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310215257/https://www.politico.com/story/2015/09/trump-will-sign-gop-loyalty-pledge-213302 |url-status=live }}

On August 21, 2015, the Federal Election Commission released a list of filings from super PACs backing candidates in the 2016 presidential race, which revealed Trump to be the only major presidential candidate among the Republican candidates who appeared not to have a super PAC supporting his candidacy.{{cite news |last=Wells |first=Nicholas |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2015/08/21/did-time-magazine-just-doom-the-donald.html |title=Did Time Magazine Just Doom the Donald? |work=CNBC |date=August 21, 2015 |access-date=August 22, 2015 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308062545/https://www.cnbc.com/2015/08/21/did-time-magazine-just-doom-the-donald.html |url-status=live }} Two months later, the Make America Great Again PAC, which had collected $1.74 million and spent around $500,000 on polling, consulting, and other activities, was shut down after The Washington Post revealed multiple connections to the Trump campaign.

{{Further|Immigration policy of the first Donald Trump administration|Mexico–United States barrier}}

In his announcement speech, Trump promised that he would build "a great, great wall" on the United States–Mexico border, and emphasized that proposal throughout his campaign, further stating that the construction of the wall would be paid for by Mexico.{{cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2015/10/28/donald-trump-mexico-going-to-pay-for-wall.html |title=Donald Trump: Mexico going to pay for wall |publisher=CNBC |date=October 28, 2015 |access-date=February 17, 2016 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308092812/https://www.cnbc.com/2015/10/28/donald-trump-mexico-going-to-pay-for-wall.html |url-status=live }} Trump proposed a broader crackdown on illegal immigration, and, in a July{{nbsp}}6 statement, claimed that the Mexican government is "forcing their most unwanted people into the United States"—"in many cases, criminals, drug dealers, rapists, etc."{{cite news |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trumps-epic-statement-on-mexico-2015-7?r=US&IR=T |title=Donald Trump just released an epic statement raging against Mexican immigrants and 'disease' |work=Business Insider |date=July 6, 2015 |access-date=February 17, 2016}} In his first town hall meeting in Derry, New Hampshire on August 19, 2015, Trump stated: "Day{{nbsp}}1 of my presidency, they're getting out and getting out fast."{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/donald-trump-emphasizes-plans-to-build-real-wall-at-mexico-border-1.3196807 |date=August 19, 2015 |access-date=September 29, 2015 |title=Donald Trump emphasizes plans to build 'real' wall at Mexico border |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |archive-date=September 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926135100/http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/donald-trump-emphasizes-plans-to-build-real-wall-at-mexico-border-1.3196807 |url-status=live }} Trump's Republican rival Jeb Bush stated that "Trump is wrong on this" and "to make these extraordinarily kind of ugly comments is not reflective of the Republican Party".{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-idUSKCN0PL0DA20150711 |title=White House contenders Trump, Bush in virtual dead heat: Reuters/Ipsos poll |work=Reuters|date=July 11, 2015 |access-date=July 1, 2017 |archive-date=October 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010140057/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/07/11/us-usa-election-idUSKCN0PL0DA20150711 |url-status=live }} While Trump acknowledged that Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus asked him to tone down his rhetoric on immigration reform, he stated that his conversations with the Republican National Committee on the matter were also "congratulatory".{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/08/politics/donald-trump-reince-priebus-immigrants-rnc/index.html |title=Trump: RNC call was 'congratulatory' |work=CNN |date=July 9, 2015 |access-date=July 17, 2015 |archive-date=December 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210184638/https://www.cnn.com/2015/07/08/politics/donald-trump-reince-priebus-immigrants-rnc/index.html |url-status=live }}

File:Trump with supporters in Iowa, January 2016 (2).jpg, in January 2016]]

At a July 2015 rally in Phoenix, Arizona, Trump was welcomed by the Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, turning over the lectern for part of his speech to a supporter whose child was killed in Los Angeles in 2008 by a Mexican-born gang member.{{cite news |first1=M. J. |last1=Lee |first2=Pat |last2=St. Claire |date=July 12, 2012 |url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/11/politics/donald-trump-phoenix-rally/index.html |title=Trump draws thousands in Phoenix, continues immigration theme |work=CNN |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130173347/https://www.cnn.com/2015/07/11/politics/donald-trump-phoenix-rally/index.html |url-status=live }} The brother of Kate Steinle, who was murdered in San Francisco by an illegal immigrant, criticized Trump for politicizing his sister's death,{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2015/07/15/kate-steinle-killed-trump-response-steinle-intv-ac.cnn |title=Brother: Trump is sensationalizing sister's death |work=CNN |date=July 15, 2015 |archive-date=October 30, 2020 |access-date=March 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030120616/https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2015/07/15/kate-steinle-killed-trump-response-steinle-intv-ac.cnn |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first=Meg |last=Wagner |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/kate-steinle-brother-trump-sensationalizing-murder-article-1.2292732 |title=Kate Steinle's brother slams Donald Trump for 'sensationalizing' San Francisco murder |work=New York Daily News |location=New York |date=July 15, 2015 |archive-date=December 10, 2020 |access-date=March 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210181913/https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/kate-steinle-brother-trump-sensationalizing-murder-article-1.2292732 |url-status=live }} while a viral video related to her death produced by a Trump supporter independent of the campaign gave Trump an advantage during the primaries.{{cite magazine |last1=Warren |first1=Michael |title=Donald Trump Loses His Perfect Foil—Jeb Bush |url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/donald-trump-loses-his-perfect-foil-jeb-bush/article/2001189 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222091013/http://www.weeklystandard.com/donald-trump-loses-his-perfect-foil-jeb-bush/article/2001189 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 22, 2016 |access-date=February 25, 2016 |magazine=The Weekly Standard |date=February 20, 2016}}{{cite news |last1=Weinberg |first1=Ali |title=Kate Steinle Lawsuit Has Political Reverberations in Washington Over Illegal Immigration |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/kate-steinle-lawsuit-political-reverberations-washington-illegal-immigration/story?id=33461835 |access-date=February 25, 2016 |work=ABC News |date=September 1, 2015 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304212659/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/kate-steinle-lawsuit-political-reverberations-washington-illegal-immigration/story?id=33461835 |url-status=live }}

Univision announced it would no longer carry broadcasts of the Miss USA Pageant.{{cite news |url=https://money.cnn.com/2015/06/25/media/univision-donald-trump-mexicans/index.html |title=Univision dumps Trump, cancels Miss USA over his comments about Mexicans |work=CNN |date=June 25, 2015 |access-date=June 29, 2015 |first=Brian |last=Stelter |archive-date=December 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217183644/https://money.cnn.com/2015/06/25/media/univision-donald-trump-mexicans/index.html |url-status=live }} In response, Trump indicated the matter would be handled by legal action, and followed through by filing a $500 million lawsuit against Univision. The complaint asserted that Univision was attempting to suppress Trump's First Amendment rights by putting pressure on his business ventures.{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/donald-trump-univision-miss-usa-lawsuit-1201531845/ |title=Donald Trump Files $500 Million Lawsuit Against Univision Over Miss USA Contract |website=Variety |date=June 30, 2015 |access-date=July 2, 2015 |first=Cynthia |last=Littleton |archive-date=January 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115001707/https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/donald-trump-univision-miss-usa-lawsuit-1201531845/ |url-status=live }} NBC announced it would not air the Miss Universe or Miss USA pageant.{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/nbc-cuts-business-ties-donald-trump-over-immigration-remarks-n383856 |title=NBC Cuts Business Ties with Donald Trump Over Immigration Remarks |work=NBC News |date=June 29, 2015 |access-date=June 29, 2015 |archive-date=December 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217045504/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/nbc-cuts-business-ties-donald-trump-over-immigration-remarks-n383856 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-trump-nbc-idUSKCN0P92HD20150630 |title=NBC fires Trump, drops pageants over candidate's insults to Mexicans |date=June 30, 2015 |work=Reuters|access-date=July 1, 2017 |archive-date=October 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002045203/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/30/us-trump-nbc-idUSKCN0P92HD20150630 |url-status=live }} Afterwards, the multinational media company Grupo Televisa severed ties with Trump,{{cite news |title=Televisa Cuts Ties to Donald Trump Following NBC, Univision |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-06-30/televisa-cuts-ties-to-donald-trump-following-nbc-univision |publisher=Bloomberg |access-date=July 1, 2015 |first=Gerry |last=Smith |date=June 30, 2015 |archive-date=November 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161127044122/http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-06-30/televisa-cuts-ties-to-donald-trump-following-nbc-univision |url-status=live }} as did Ora TV,{{cite web |title=Carlos Slim y Televisa cancelan proyectos con Donald Trump |date=June 30, 2015 |url=http://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias/2015/06/150630_slim_televisa_cancelan_proyectos_trump_ng |publisher=BBC Mundo |access-date=July 1, 2015 |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224165826/https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias/2015/06/150630_slim_televisa_cancelan_proyectos_trump_ng |url-status=live }} a television network partly owned by Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim.{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/doliaestevez/2015/06/30/carlos-slims-ora-tv-severs-ties-with-donald-trump-calling-his-remarks-about-immigrants-racist/ |title=Carlos Slim's Ora TV Severs Ties With Donald Trump, Calling His Remarks About Immigrants "Racist" |work=Forbes |date=June 30, 2015 |access-date=July 4, 2015 |first=Dolia |last=Estevez |archive-date=October 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024075144/https://www.forbes.com/sites/doliaestevez/2015/06/30/carlos-slims-ora-tv-severs-ties-with-donald-trump-calling-his-remarks-about-immigrants-racist/ |url-status=live }}

Macy's announced it would phase out its Trump-branded merchandise.{{cite web |title=Macy's Cuts Ties with Trump: 'No Tolerance for Discrimination' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/macys-cuts-ties-trump-n385131 |work=NBC News |date=July 2015 |access-date=July 1, 2015 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108121529/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/macys-cuts-ties-trump-n385131 |url-status=live }} Serta, a mattress manufacturer, also decided to drop their business relationship with Trump.{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/serta-mattress-maker-latest-dump-trump-n385851 |title=Serta Mattress Maker Latest to Dump Trump |work=NBC News |date=July 2, 2015 |access-date=October 7, 2019 |archive-date=February 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208062446/http://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/serta-mattress-maker-latest-dump-trump-n385851 |url-status=live }} NASCAR ended its sponsorship with Trump by announcing it would not hold its post-season awards banquet at the Trump National Doral Miami.{{cite news |title=NASCAR Distances Itself From Donald Trump After Remarks |agency=Associated Press |work=NBC News |date=July 3, 2015 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/nascar-distances-itself-donald-trump-after-remarks-n386551 |access-date=July 5, 2015 |archive-date=November 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127195324/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/nascar-distances-itself-donald-trump-after-remarks-n386551 |url-status=live }}

Among the American public, reactions to Trump's border-wall proposal were polarized by party, with a large majority of Republicans supporting the proposal and a large majority of Democrats against it; overall, a September 2015 poll showed 48 percent of U.S. adults supporting Trump's proposal, while a March 2016 poll showed 34 percent of U.S. adults supporting it.{{cite news |first=David |last=Banks |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-09-10/trump-s-plan-for-wall-on-mexico-border-divides-public-poll |title=Trump's Plan for Wall on Mexico Border Divides Public: Poll |work=Bloomberg Politics |date=September 10, 2015 |archive-date=June 30, 2016 |access-date=March 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630025613/http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-09-10/trump-s-plan-for-wall-on-mexico-border-divides-public-poll |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first=Bradley |last=Jones |url=http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/04/15/americans-views-of-immigrants-marked-by-widening-partisan-generational-divides/ |title=Americans' views of immigrants marked by widening partisan, generational divides |work=Pew Research Center |date=April 15, 2016 |archive-date=March 6, 2021 |access-date=June 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306074134/https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/04/15/americans-views-of-immigrants-marked-by-widening-partisan-generational-divides/ |url-status=live }}

{{See also|Immigration policy of the second first Trump administration#Proposed Muslim immigration ban|Executive Order 13769}}

In remarks made following the November 2015 Paris attacks, Trump stated that he would support a database for tracking Muslims in the United States and expanded surveillance of mosques.{{cite web |last1=Hillyard |first1=Vaughn |title=Trump's plan for a Muslim database draws comparison to Nazi Germany |date=November 20, 2015 |url=https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/trump-would-certainly-implement-muslim-database |publisher=MSNBC |access-date=November 23, 2015 |archive-date=February 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217183440/https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/trump-would-certainly-implement-muslim-database-msna728496 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Donald Trump Calls for Surveillance of 'Certain Mosques' and a Syrian Refugee Database |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/22/us/politics/donald-trump-syrian-muslims-surveillance.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=November 22, 2015 |access-date=November 23, 2015 |last1=Haberman |first1=Maggie |archive-date=February 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201220404/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/22/us/politics/donald-trump-syrian-muslims-surveillance.html |url-status=live }} Trump's support for an American Muslim database "drew sharp rebukes from his Republican presidential rivals and disbelief from legal experts."{{cite news |first=Lauren |last=Carroll |url=http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2015/nov/22/donald-trump/fact-checking-trumps-claim-thousands-new-jersey-ch/ |title=Fact-checking Trump's claim that thousands in New Jersey cheered when World Trade Center tumbled |work=PolitiFact |date=November 22, 2015 |archive-date=February 9, 2018 |access-date=March 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209070357/http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2015/nov/22/donald-trump/fact-checking-trumps-claim-thousands-new-jersey-ch/ |url-status=live }}

On December 7, 2015, in response to the 2015 San Bernardino attack, Trump further called for a temporary ban on any Muslims entering the country. He issued a written statement saying, "Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on," which he repeated at subsequent political rallies.{{cite web |last1=Johnson |first1=Jenna |title=Trump calls for 'total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/12/07/donald-trump-calls-for-total-and-complete-shutdown-of-muslims-entering-the-united-states/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=December 7, 2015 |access-date=February 7, 2016 |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327091100/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/12/07/donald-trump-calls-for-total-and-complete-shutdown-of-muslims-entering-the-united-states/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Melber |first=Ari |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/experts-trump-s-muslim-ban-would-cripple-immigration-system-nearly-n621921 |title=Experts Say Trump's Muslim Ban Would Cripple Immigration System |work=NBC News |date=August 3, 2016 |archive-date=January 26, 2018 |access-date=April 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126224029/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/experts-trump-s-muslim-ban-would-cripple-immigration-system-nearly-n621921 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Herb |first=Jeremy |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/donald-trump-muslim-ban-226082 |title=Trump: Shift on Muslim ban an 'expansion' |work=Politico |date=July 24, 2016 |archive-date=August 10, 2017 |access-date=October 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810163232/http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/donald-trump-muslim-ban-226082 |url-status=live }}

The next day, December 8, 2015, the Pentagon issued a statement of concern, stating Trump's remarks could strengthen the resolve of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-35047105 |title=Trump's Muslim ban call 'endangers US security' |date=December 8, 2015 |access-date=December 8, 2015 |work=BBC News |archive-date=July 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721062733/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-35047105 |url-status=live }} The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, David Cameron, and the Prime Minister of France, Manuel Valls, both issued statements in response to Trump's press release condemning him.{{cite news |title=David Cameron criticises Donald Trump 'Muslim ban' call |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-35037553 |work=BBC News |access-date=January 31, 2016 |archive-date=April 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408021713/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-35037553 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Trump's Plan to Bar Muslims Is Widely Condemned Abroad |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/09/world/europe/donald-trumps-call-to-bar-muslims-reverberates-abroad.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=December 8, 2015 |access-date=January 31, 2016 |last1=Bilefsky |first1=Dan |archive-date=July 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718182136/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/09/world/europe/donald-trumps-call-to-bar-muslims-reverberates-abroad.html |url-status=live }} Trump was also criticized by leading Republican Party figures, including Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus.{{cite web |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2015/12/08/politics/donald-trump-muslim-republicans-2016/ |title=Is GOP ready to unite against Trump for his Muslim ban? |author=Nia-Malika Henderson |date=December 8, 2015 |work=CNN |access-date=December 8, 2015 |archive-date=May 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524005257/https://edition.cnn.com/2015/12/08/politics/donald-trump-muslim-republicans-2016/ |url-status=live }}

Following Trump's controversial comments on Muslim immigration, a petition{{cite news |title=Donald Trump didn't get banned from UK, but he was called a 'wazzock' |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2016/0119/Donald-Trump-didn-t-get-banned-from-UK-but-he-was-called-a-wazzock |newspaper=The Christian Science Monitor |access-date=January 19, 2016 |issn=0882-7729 |first=Jason |last=Thomson |archive-date=April 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401212836/http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2016/0119/Donald-Trump-didn-t-get-banned-from-UK-but-he-was-called-a-wazzock |url-status=live }} was begun on the British Parliament's e-petition website, calling on the UK government's Home Secretary to bar him from entering the country. The total number of signatures exceeded the required half-million threshold to trigger a parliamentary debate.{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/donald-trump/12044983/Donald-Trump-muslims-New-Hampshire-Muhammad-Ali-UK-petition-latest-news-live.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/donald-trump/12044983/Donald-Trump-muslims-New-Hampshire-Muhammad-Ali-UK-petition-latest-news-live.html |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Donald Trump wins more support in US as petition to ban him from the UK passes half million signatures |date=December 11, 2015 |work=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-35052505 |title=Trump UK ban petition passes 370,000 signatures |work=BBC News |date=December 10, 2015 |access-date=January 19, 2016 |archive-date=April 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414043054/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-35052505 |url-status=live }} On January 18, the UK's House of Commons debated whether to ban Trump from the country; however, while some in the House condemned Trump's remarks and described them as "crazy" and "offensive", most were opposed to intervening in the electoral process of another country, and a vote was not taken.{{cite web |title=Trump called a racist and buffoon as Parliament debates banning him from Britain |url=https://www.latimes.com/world/europe/la-fg-parliament-trump-britain-20160118-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |date=January 18, 2016 |access-date=January 19, 2016 |archive-date=March 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331131200/https://www.latimes.com/world/europe/la-fg-parliament-trump-britain-20160118-story.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-35345279 |title=Donald Trump debate: Ban risks making tycoon a 'martyr' |work=BBC News |access-date=January 19, 2016 |archive-date=April 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421022847/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-35345279 |url-status=live }}

Trump later appeared to modify his position on Muslims. In May he stated that his proposed ban was "just a suggestion". In June he stated that the temporary ban would apply to people originating from countries with a proven history of terrorism against the United States or its allies.{{cite news |last=Detrow |first=Scott |url=https://www.npr.org/2016/06/13/481910989/trump-expands-immigration-ban-to-countries-with-proven-history-of-terrorism |title=Trump Calls To Ban Immigration From Countries With 'Proven History Of Terrorism' |work=NPR |date=June 13, 2016 |archive-date=June 13, 2016 |access-date=April 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613234606/http://www.npr.org/2016/06/13/481910989/trump-expands-immigration-ban-to-countries-with-proven-history-of-terrorism |url-status=live }} He also commented that it "wouldn't bother me" if Muslims from Scotland entered the United States.{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-shifts-muslim-ban-focus-terrorist-nations/story?id=40132071 |title=Trump Shifts Muslim Ban to Focus on Only 'Terrorist' Nations |last=Faulders |first=Katherine |date=June 25, 2016 |work=ABC News |access-date=July 18, 2016 |archive-date=October 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022193403/http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-shifts-muslim-ban-focus-terrorist-nations/story?id=40132071 |url-status=live }}

Trump caused further controversy when he recounted an apocryphal story about how U.S. general John J. Pershing shot Muslim rebels with pig's blood-dipped bullets in order to deter them during the Moro Rebellion. His comments were strongly denounced by the Council on American-Islamic Relations.{{cite news |first1=Jenna |last1=Johnson |first2=Jose A. |last2=DelReal |title=Trump tells story about killing terrorists with bullets dipped in pigs' blood, though there's no proof of it |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/02/20/trumps-story-about-killing-terrorists-with-bullets-dipped-in-pigs-blood-is-likely-not-true/ |access-date=February 28, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 20, 2016 |archive-date=April 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403015126/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/02/20/trumps-story-about-killing-terrorists-with-bullets-dipped-in-pigs-blood-is-likely-not-true/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first1=Liam |last1=Stack |title=Trump's Remarks on Pigs' Blood Elicit Challenge From Sister of Chapel Hill Victim |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/23/us/politics/trump-pigs-blood-sister-chapel-hill-victim-barakat.html |access-date=February 28, 2016 |work=The New York Times |date=February 22, 2016 |archive-date=September 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906074522/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/23/us/politics/trump-pigs-blood-sister-chapel-hill-victim-barakat.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first1=Jeremy |last1=Diamond |title=Trump cites story of general who dipped bullets in pigs' blood to deter Muslims |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2016/02/19/politics/donald-trump-south-carolina-john-pershing/ |access-date=February 28, 2016 |work=CNN |date=February 20, 2016 |archive-date=June 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625131256/http://edition.cnn.com/2016/02/19/politics/donald-trump-south-carolina-john-pershing/ |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |first1=Tessa |last1=Berenson |title=The Real Story Behind Donald Trump's Pig's Blood Slander |url=https://time.com/4235405/donald-trump-pig-blood-muslims-story/ |access-date=February 28, 2016 |magazine=Time |date=February 24, 2016 |archive-date=May 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507203451/http://time.com/4235405/donald-trump-pig-blood-muslims-story/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/donald-trump-tweet-fake-history-libel-war-crime/ |work=National Review |access-date=4 October 2023 |title=In One Tweet, Donald Trump Just Spread Fake History, Libeled a Hero, and Admired an Alleged War Crime |date=17 August 2017 |first=David |last=French |author-link=David French (political commentator) |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011165143/https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/donald-trump-tweet-fake-history-libel-war-crime/ |url-status=live }}

Trump had high poll numbers during the primaries.* {{cite web |url=http://www.wmur.com/politics/donald-trump-touts-poll-results-to-crowd-in-claremont/37285890 |title=Donald Trump touts poll results to crowd in Claremont |author=Adam Sexton |date=January 5, 2016 |publisher=WMUR |access-date=February 2, 2016 |archive-date=February 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160226082028/http://www.wmur.com/politics/donald-trump-touts-poll-results-to-crowd-in-claremont/37285890 |url-status=live }}

• {{cite web |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2015/10/13/donald-trump-blasts-barack-obama-touts-poll-numbers/ |url-status=live |title=Donald Trump blasts Barack Obama, touts poll numbers |work=Boston Herald |access-date=5 October 2023 |first=Chris |last=Villani |date=October 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127143804/https://www.bostonherald.com/2015/10/13/donald-trump-blasts-barack-obama-touts-poll-numbers/ |archive-date=2020-11-27 }}
• {{cite news |first=Jennifer |last=Agiesta |date=July 26, 2015 |url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/26/politics/cnn-poll-presidential-race/ |title=CNN/ORC poll: Trump elbows his way to the top |work=CNN |archive-date=December 7, 2020 |access-date=February 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207131649/https://www.cnn.com/2015/07/26/politics/cnn-poll-presidential-race/ |url-status=live }}
• {{cite web |url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/us/2016_republican_presidential_nomination-3823.html |title=RealClearPolitics—Election 2016—2016 Republican Presidential Nomination |access-date=January 20, 2016 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924013758/http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/us/2016_republican_presidential_nomination-3823.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Johns |first=Gibson |url=https://www.aol.com/article/2015/08/20/hillary-clinton-just-got-more-awful-poll-news-and-theres-now/21225211/ |title=Hillary Clinton just got more awful poll news—and there's now an opening for Joe Biden |website=AOL.com |date=August 20, 2016 |access-date=December 27, 2017 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308084959/https://www.aol.com/article/2015/08/20/hillary-clinton-just-got-more-awful-poll-news-and-theres-now/21225211/ |url-status=live }} A survey conducted by The Economist/YouGov released July 9, 2015, was the first major nationwide poll to show Trump as the 2016 Republican presidential front-runner.{{cite news |first=Colin |last=Campbell |date=July 9, 2015 |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/polls-donald-trump-in-first-place-2015-7 |title=Donald Trump has surged to the top of 2 new 2016 polls |work=Business Insider |archive-date=February 5, 2021 |access-date=July 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205042322/https://www.businessinsider.com/polls-donald-trump-in-first-place-2015-7 |url-status=live }} A Suffolk/USA Today poll released on July 14, 2015, showed Trump with 17 percent support among Republican voters, with Jeb Bush at 14 percent.{{cite web |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/donald-trump-leads-gop-field-poll-120106.html |title=Donald Trump leads GOP field in latest poll |work=Politico |date=July 14, 2015 |access-date=August 21, 2015 |archive-date=August 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150820052553/http://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/donald-trump-leads-gop-field-poll-120106.html |url-status=live }} A The Washington Post/ABC News poll taken on July 16–19, showed Trump had 24 percent Republican support, over Scott Walker at 13 percent.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/poll-trump-surges-to-big-lead-in-gop-presidential-race/2015/07/20/efd2e0d0-2ef8-11e5-8f36-18d1d501920d_story.html |title=Poll: Trump surges to big lead in GOP presidential race |date=July 20, 2015 |newspaper=The Washington Post |first=Dan |last=Balz |archive-date=February 22, 2021 |access-date=August 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222045815/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/poll-trump-surges-to-big-lead-in-gop-presidential-race/2015/07/20/efd2e0d0-2ef8-11e5-8f36-18d1d501920d_story.html |url-status=live }} A CNN/ORC poll showed Trump in the lead at 18 percent support among Republican voters, over Jeb Bush at 15 percent,{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-trump-idUSKCN0Q00MF20150726 |title=Trump tops CNN poll of 2016 Republicans, says he leads 'movement' |work=Reuters|date=July 26, 2015 |access-date=July 1, 2017 |archive-date=November 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114223447/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/07/26/us-usa-election-trump-idUSKCN0Q00MF20150726 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2015/07/26/politics/cnn-poll-presidential-race/ |title=CNN/ORC poll: Trump elbows his way to the top |author=Jennifer Agiesta |date=July 26, 2015 |work=CNN |archive-date=March 5, 2021 |access-date=August 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305080109/https://edition.cnn.com/2015/07/26/politics/cnn-poll-presidential-race/ |url-status=live }} and a CBS News poll from August{{nbsp}}4 showed Trump with 24 percent support, Bush second at 13 percent, and Walker third at 10 percent.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cbs-news-poll-donald-trump-leads-gop-field-in-2016-presidential-race/ |title=Election 2016: CBS News poll—Donald Trump leads GOP field in race for the presidency |date=August 4, 2015 |work=CBS News |archive-date=February 2, 2021 |access-date=April 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202194744/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cbs-news-poll-donald-trump-leads-gop-field-in-2016-presidential-race/ |url-status=live }}

A CNN/ORC poll taken August 13–16, 2015, in the swing states of Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania showed Trump ahead of, or narrowly trailing Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in direct match-ups in those states.{{cite news |first=Jennifer |last=Agiesta |url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/19/politics/2016-poll-hillary-clinton-joe-biden-bernie-sanders/ |title=CNN/ORC Poll: Donald Trump now Competitive in General Election |work=CNN |date=August 19, 2015 |access-date=August 21, 2015 |archive-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208000505/https://www.cnn.com/2015/08/19/politics/2016-poll-hillary-clinton-joe-biden-bernie-sanders/ |url-status=live }} In Florida, Trump led by two points, and in both Ohio and Pennsylvania, he was within five points of Clinton.

Surveys taken in late 2015 showed Trump polling unfavorably among women and non-white voters, with 64 percent of women viewing Trump unfavorably and 74 percent of non-white voters having a negative view of the candidate, according to a November 2015 ABC News/Washington Post poll.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/02/us/politics/wary-of-donald-trump-gop-leaders-are-caught-in-a-standoff.html |title=Wary of Donald Trump, G.O.P. Leaders Are Caught in a Standoff |work=The New York Times |first=Jonathan |last=Martin |date=December 1, 2015 |access-date=December 1, 2015 |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224172227/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/02/us/politics/wary-of-donald-trump-gop-leaders-are-caught-in-a-standoff.html |url-status=live }} A Public Religion Research Institute survey in November 2015 found that many of his supporters were working-class voters with negative feelings towards migrants (in addition to holding strong financial concerns).See {{cite web |title=Anxiety, Nostalgia, and Mistrust: Findings from the 2015 American Values Survey |url=http://publicreligion.org/research/2015/11/survey-anxiety-nostalgia-and-mistrust-findings-from-the-2015-american-values-survey/ |publisher=Public Religion Research Institute |date=November 17, 2015 |access-date=December 9, 2015 |archive-date=December 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210212619/http://publicreligion.org/research/2015/11/survey-anxiety-nostalgia-and-mistrust-findings-from-the-2015-american-values-survey/ |url-status=live }}
As quoted by
{{cite web |quote=Half of all Americans now believe the country's best days are behind it, and this belief is particularly strong among white, evangelical Christians. This is one of the beliefs that Republican frontrunner Trump is capitalising on in his campaign and helps explain why he is doing so well. The pessimism about the state of the country is reflected in raised levels of concern about crime, racial tensions and immigration, the survey reports. |work=Christian Today |title=Pessimism of white evangelical Americans is boon for Donald Trump |url=http://www.christiantoday.com/article/pessimism.of.white.evangelical.americans.is.boon.for.donald.trump/72551.htm |date=December 4, 2015 |access-date=December 9, 2015 |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224202015/https://www.christiantoday.com/article/pessimism.of.white.evangelical.americans.is.boon.for.donald.trump/72551.htm |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-rides-a-blue-collar-wave-1447803248 |title=Trump Rides a Blue-Collar Wave |work=The Wall Street Journal |last=Galston |first=William A. |date=November 17, 2015 |access-date=March 6, 2017 |archive-date=January 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117090712/https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-rides-a-blue-collar-wave-1447803248 |url-status=live }}

Trump's status as the consistent front-runner for the Republican nomination led to him being featured on the cover of Time magazine in August 2015, with the caption: "Deal with it."{{cite news|last=Laurent|first=Olivier|title=Behind Time's Cover Shoot with Donald Trump and an American Bald Eagle|url=https://time.com/4003904/donald-trump-bald-eagle/|magazine=Time|date=August 20, 2015|access-date=August 21, 2015}}

{{Further|2016 Republican Party presidential primaries}}

File:Trump 2016.svg

[[File:Donald Trump 2016 Republican Party presidential primaries results.svg|thumb|340px|Percentage of vote received by Trump by state or territory.

{{legend|#c2caef|0.0–19.9%|border=0}}

{{legend|#9aa7e5|20.0–29.9%|border=0}}

{{legend|#7183da|30.0–39.9%|border=0}}

{{legend|#4960cf|40.0–49.9%|border=0}}

{{legend|#3047b6|50.0–59.9%|border=0}}

{{legend|#25378e|60.0–69.9%|border=0}}

{{legend|#1a2765|70.0–79.9%|border=0}}

{{legend|#10183d|80.0%+|border=0}}

]]

In the lead-up to the Iowa caucus, poll averages showed Trump as the front-runner with a roughly four percent lead.{{cite web |url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/ia/iowa_republican_presidential_caucus-3194.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202225618/http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/ia/iowa_republican_presidential_caucus-3194.html |title=RealClearPolitics—Election 2016—Iowa Republican Presidential Caucus |archive-date=February 2, 2016}} Ted Cruz came in first in the vote count, ahead of Trump. Cruz, who campaigned strongly among evangelical Christians,{{cite web |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/02/ted-cruz-iowa-caucuses-218591 |title=How Ted Cruz won the 2016 Iowa caucuses |work=Politico |date=February 2016 |access-date=February 4, 2016 |archive-date=March 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310214224/https://www.politico.com/story/2016/02/ted-cruz-iowa-caucuses-218591 |url-status=live }} was supported by church pastors that coordinated a volunteer campaign to get out the vote.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/02/us/ted-cruz-wins-republican-caucus.html |title=Ted Cruz Wins Republican Caucuses in Iowa |date=February 2, 2016 |work=The New York Times |archive-date=February 21, 2021 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210221184736/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/02/us/ted-cruz-wins-republican-caucus.html |url-status=live }} Before the Iowa vote, an email from the Cruz campaign falsely implied that Ben Carson was about to quit the race, encouraging Carson's supporters to vote for Cruz instead.{{cite web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/politics/ben-carson-holds-a-strange-press-conference-to-224601507.html |title=Ben Carson holds a strange press conference to discuss Cruz 'dirty tricks' |date=February 3, 2016 |author=Ward, Jon |publisher=Yahoo! |access-date=February 4, 2016 |archive-date=March 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313092754/https://www.yahoo.com/politics/ben-carson-holds-a-strange-press-conference-to-224601507.html |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |url=https://time.com/4203730/ben-carson-ted-cruz-caucus-dirty-tricks/ |title=Iowa Caucuses: Ben Carson Accuses Ted Cruz of Dirty Tricks |author=Tessa Berenson |magazine=Time |access-date=November 17, 2024 |archive-date=November 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112225714/https://time.com/4203730/ben-carson-ted-cruz-caucus-dirty-tricks/ |url-status=live }} Trump later posted on Twitter, "Many people voted for Cruz over Carson because of this Cruz fraud", and wrote, "Ted Cruz didn't win Iowa, he stole it."{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-trump-cruz-idUSKCN0VC1Z6 |title=Trump accuses Cruz of stealing Iowa caucuses through 'fraud' |author=Amy Tennery |date=February 4, 2016 |work=Reuters |access-date=July 1, 2017 |archive-date=February 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203215800/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-trump-cruz-idUSKCN0VC1Z6 |url-status=live }}

Following his loss in Iowa, Trump rebounded in the New Hampshire primary, coming in first place with 35 percent of the vote, the biggest victory in a New Hampshire Republican primary since at least 2000.{{cite news |first1=Patrick |last1=Healy |first2=Jonathan |last2=Martin |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/10/us/politics/new-hampshire-primary.html |title=Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders Win in New Hampshire Primary |work=The New York Times |date=February 9, 2016 |archive-date=March 9, 2021 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309135805/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/10/us/politics/new-hampshire-primary.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/new-hampshire |title=New Hampshire Primary Results |work=The New York Times |date=2016 |archive-date=March 15, 2018 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315081639/https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/new-hampshire |url-status=live }} Trump "tapped into a deep well of anxiety among Republicans and independents in New Hampshire, according to exit polling data", running strongest among voters who feared "illegal immigrants, incipient economic turmoil and the threat of a terrorist attack in the United States". Trump commented that in the run-up to the primary, his campaign had "learned a lot about ground games in a week".{{cite news |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/02/new-hampshire-primary-results/461919/ |title=Trump and Sanders Prevail in New Hampshire |last=Nora |first=Kelly |work=The Atlantic |date=February 9, 2016 |access-date=February 15, 2016 |archive-date=August 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830144403/http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/02/new-hampshire-primary-results/461919/ |url-status=live }}

This was followed by another wide victory in South Carolina, furthering his lead among the Republican candidates.{{cite news |title=Donald Trump wins South Carolina; Hillary Clinton takes Nevada |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/20/politics/republicans-south-carolina-primary-highlights/index.html |work=CNN |access-date=February 21, 2016 |archive-date=October 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003080735/https://www.cnn.com/2016/02/20/politics/republicans-south-carolina-primary-highlights/index.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=Donald Trump Wins in South Carolina, Solidifying Lead in G.O.P. Race |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/21/us/politics/south-carolina-primary.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=February 20, 2016 |access-date=February 21, 2016 |issn=0362-4331 |first1=Jonathan |last1=Martin |first2=Alexander |last2=Burns |archive-date=February 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226081957/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/21/us/politics/south-carolina-primary.html |url-status=live }} He won the Nevada caucus on February 24 with a landslide 45.9 percent of the vote, his biggest victory yet; Marco Rubio placed second with 23.9 percent.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-us-2016-35647126 |title=US election 2016: Donald Trump sweeps to victory in Nevada |work=BBC News |date=February 24, 2016 |access-date=February 25, 2016 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308144333/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-us-2016-35647126 |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine|magazine=Time|title=Trump Easily Wins Nevada Caucuses|url=https://time.com/4235035/nevada-caucus-results-donald-trump-ted-cruz-marco-rubio-win/|access-date=November 17, 2024|archive-date=November 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241113034456/https://time.com/4235035/nevada-caucus-results-donald-trump-ted-cruz-marco-rubio-win/|url-status=live}}

By May 2016, Trump held a commanding lead in the number of state contests won and in the delegate count. After Trump won the Indiana contest, Cruz dropped out of the race.{{cite web |author1=Shane Goldmacher |author2=Katie Glueck |title=Inside Cruz's Crumbling Campaign |url=http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/05/ted-cruz-2016-drop-out-presidential-race-indiana-213868 |website=Politico |date=May 4, 2016 |access-date=May 4, 2016 |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212163728/https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/05/ted-cruz-2016-drop-out-presidential-race-indiana-213868/ |url-status=live }} He had called Indiana a pivotal opportunity to stop Trump from clinching the nomination. Following Trump's Indiana win, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, among others, called Trump the party's presumptive nominee, though he noted that Trump still needed more delegates to clinch the nomination.{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/04/politics/reince-priebus-donald-trump-gop-unity |title=GOP chairman Priebus: 'It will take some time' to unify behind Trump |publisher=CNN |date=May 4, 2016 |access-date=May 4, 2016 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108095609/https://www.cnn.com/2016/05/04/politics/reince-priebus-donald-trump-gop-unity/ |url-status=live }}

After becoming the presumptive Republican nominee, Trump said regarding the Republican primaries: "You've been hearing me say it's a rigged system, but now I don't say it anymore because I won. It's true. Now I don't care."{{cite web |last1=Lovelace |first1=Ryan |title=Trump: GOP 'rigged,' but I don't care because I won |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/trump-gop-rigged-but-i-dont-care-because-i-won |work=Washington Examiner |date=May 6, 2016 |access-date=June 30, 2018 |archive-date=June 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630081119/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/trump-gop-rigged-but-i-dont-care-because-i-won |url-status=live }}

{{See also|List of rallies for the 2016 Donald Trump presidential campaign}}

Trump held large rallies during his campaign,{{cite web |url=https://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/watch/over-10-000-flock-to-florida-trump-rally-601668163735 |title=Over 10,000 flock to Florida Trump rally |publisher=MSNBC |work=Morning Joe |date=January 14, 2016 |access-date=February 20, 2020 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308133413/https://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/watch/over-10-000-flock-to-florida-trump-rally-601668163735 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/02/03/donald-trump-is-still-drawing-massive-crowds/ |title=Yes, Donald Trump is still drawing massive crowds |last=Cillizza |first=Chris |date=February 3, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286 |access-date=March 12, 2016 |archive-date=June 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630080846/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/02/03/donald-trump-is-still-drawing-massive-crowds/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/01/05/this-crowd-shot-from-a-donald-trump-rally-is-absolutely-eye-popping/ |title=This crowd shot from Donald Trump's Massachusetts rally is absolutely mind-boggling |last=Cillizza |first=Chris |date=January 5, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286 |access-date=March 12, 2016 |archive-date=February 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210223043259/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/01/05/this-crowd-shot-from-a-donald-trump-rally-is-absolutely-eye-popping/ |url-status=live }} routinely packing arenas and high school gymnasiums with crowds.{{Cite web |url=http://mashable.com/2016/02/07/donald-trump-crowds/ |title=Massive crowds turn out for Donald Trump rallies. So why didn't he win Iowa? |first=Emily |last=Cahn |website=Mashable |date=February 7, 2016 |access-date=March 12, 2016 |archive-date=February 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226081415/https://mashable.com/2016/02/07/donald-trump-crowds/ |url-status=live }} A Trump rally on July 11, 2015, in Phoenix, Arizona, Trump was introduced by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. During his speech, Trump invoked Richard Nixon's "silent majority" speech, saying "The silent majority is back."{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/12/us/politics/donald-trump-defiantly-rallies-a-new-silent-majority-in-a-visit-to-arizona.html |title=Donald Trump Defiantly Rallies a New 'Silent Majority' in a Visit to Arizona |last=Fandos |first=Nicholas |date=July 11, 2015 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=July 17, 2015 |archive-date=July 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714225233/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/12/us/politics/donald-trump-defiantly-rallies-a-new-silent-majority-in-a-visit-to-arizona.html |url-status=live }} In the final month of his campaign, Donald Trump used the phrase "drain the swamp" in his rallies, pledging his supporters to "make our government honest once again."{{cite news |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/what-does-drain-the-swamp-mean-was-dc-built-on-a-swamp-2016-11 |title=Here's what Trump means when he says 'drain the swamp'—even though it's not an accurate metaphor |date=November 11, 2016 |work=Business Insider |last1=Harrington |first1=Rebecca |access-date=November 15, 2016 |archive-date=January 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129055434/https://www.businessinsider.com/what-does-drain-the-swamp-mean-was-dc-built-on-a-swamp-2016-11 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-37699073 |title=How might Trump 'drain the swamp'? |date=October 18, 2016 |work=BBC News |access-date=November 15, 2016 |archive-date=February 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203174617/https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-37699073 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://fortune.com/2016/11/15/trump-drain-swamp-establishment/ |title=What Trump Can Learn From Jimmy Carter's Failure to 'Drain the Swamp' |date=November 15, 2016 |work=Fortune |last1=Wallach |first1=Philip |access-date=November 15, 2016 |archive-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225074927/https://fortune.com/2016/11/15/trump-drain-swamp-establishment/ |url-status=live }} Trump said he originally "hated" the phrase, but when people reacted positively to it, he began "saying it like I meant it".{{cite magazine |last1=Widmer |first1=Ted |title=Draining the Swamp |url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/draining-the-swamp |magazine=The New Yorker |date=January 19, 2017 |access-date=June 30, 2018 |archive-date=September 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929053544/https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/draining-the-swamp |url-status=live }}

During the primaries, the Trump campaign sometimes required all attendants at its rallies to take an Loyalty oath. Fellow candidate Ted Cruz likened it pledging to a King.{{Cite web |last=Gass |first=Nick |date=2016-03-08 |title=Trump defends loyalty oaths: 'We're having such a great time' |url=https://www.politico.com/blogs/2016-gop-primary-live-updates-and-results/2016/03/donald-trump-loyalty-oaths-220416 |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=POLITICO |language=en}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Donald Trump: Can I have a pledge? Raise your hand |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/3/6/donald-trump-can-i-have-a-pledge-raise-your-hand |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en |archive-date=November 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130050040/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/3/6/donald-trump-can-i-have-a-pledge-raise-your-hand |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Tani |first=Maxwell |title='Raise your right hand': Striking photo shows Donald Trump leading massive rally in pledge to vote for him |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-pledge-2016-3 |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=December 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241223082454/https://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-pledge-2016-3 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2016-03-09 |title=Cruz Likens Trump Loyalty Oath to Pledging to a King |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/cruz-likens-trump-loyalty-oath-pledging-king-n534431 |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=December 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241224163016/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/cruz-likens-trump-loyalty-oath-pledging-king-n534431 |url-status=live }}{{Citation |title=Trump: "Ridiculous" to compare voter pledge to Nazi salute {{!}} CNN |date=2016-03-08 |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2016/03/08/the-lead-jeff-dewit-trump.cnn |access-date=2023-10-20 |language=en |archive-date=December 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226074038/https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2016/03/08/the-lead-jeff-dewit-trump.cnn |url-status=live }}

{{See also|Protests against Donald Trump#2016 presidential campaign|2016 Donald Trump Chicago rally protest}}

File:3 11 2016 Trump Rally at UIC Pavillion - Right after news of Trump's Postponement.webm in Chicago on March 11, 2016, immediately after news of Trump's cancellation of attendance of the event]]

File:Trump protest Chicago March 11, 2016.jpg

There were verbal and physical confrontations between Trump supporters and protesters at Trump's events, some committed by supporters and others by anti-Trump demonstrators. Some protesters were asked to leave, removed by security, or arrested for trespassing at Trump's events.{{cite news |first1=Doina |last1=Chiacu |first2=Bob |last2=Chiarito |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-idUSMTZSAPEC3DZBTGD8 |title=Trump says of campaign protesters: 'I don't hear their voice' |work=Reuters |date=March 13, 2016 |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |access-date=October 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724170420/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-idUSMTZSAPEC3DZBTGD8 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Wehner |first=Peter |url=http://www.cbs46.com/story/31355813/student-protesters-asked-to-leave-trump-rally |title=Student protesters asked to leave Trump rally |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610043135/http://www.cbs46.com/story/31355813/student-protesters-asked-to-leave-trump-rally |archive-date=June 10, 2016 |work=CBS 46 |date=March 1, 2016 }} Additionally, there were incidents near Trump properties related to the campaign.{{cite web |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/trump-security-guard-hits-protester-face-video-article-1.2348516 |title=WATCH: Donald Trump security guard hits protester in face after taking banner |work=Daily News |location=New York |date=September 4, 2015 |access-date=March 23, 2016 |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224003456/https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/trump-security-guard-hits-protester-face-video-article-1.2348516 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first=Jason |last=Horowitz |url=https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/09/03/guard-for-donald-trump-hits-protester/ |title=Guard for Donald Trump Hits Protester |newspaper=The New York Times |date=September 3, 2015 |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212181114/https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/09/03/guard-for-donald-trump-hits-protester/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first=Emily |last=Flitter |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-trump-lawsuit-idUSKCN0R92QS20150909 |title=Trump security guards assaulted protesters on NY sidewalk, lawsuit claims |work=Reuters |date=September 9, 2015 |archive-date=March 15, 2016 |access-date=July 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315084239/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-trump-lawsuit-idUSKCN0R92QS20150909 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first=Ashley |last=Parker |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/11/us/politics/riskiest-political-act-of-2016-protesting-at-rallies-for-donald-trump.html |title=Riskiest Political Act of 2016? Protesting at Rallies for Donald Trump |newspaper=The New York Times |date=March 10, 2016 |archive-date=March 11, 2016 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311064428/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/11/us/politics/riskiest-political-act-of-2016-protesting-at-rallies-for-donald-trump.html |url-status=live }}

On several occasions in late 2015 and early 2016, Trump was accused of encouraging violence and escalating tension at campaign events.{{cite news |first1=Eli |last1=Stokols |first2=Kyle |last2=Cheney |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/03/marco-rubio-donald-trump-gop-nominee-support-220664 |title=Republicans blame Trump for climate of violence |work=Politico |date=March 12, 2016 |archive-date=October 15, 2023 |access-date=October 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015075323/https://www.politico.com/story/2016/03/marco-rubio-donald-trump-gop-nominee-support-220664 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/03/10/trump-protester-sucker-punched-at-north-carolina-rally-videos-show/ |title=Trump supporter charged after sucker-punching protester at North Carolina rally |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 11, 2016 |author1=Justin Wm. Moyer |author2=Jenny Starrs |author3=Sarah Larimer |access-date=March 10, 2016 |archive-date=August 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802222552/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/03/10/trump-protester-sucker-punched-at-north-carolina-rally-videos-show/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=West |first=Lindy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/11/opinion/campaign-stops/what-are-trump-fans-really-afraid-to-say.html |title=What Are Trump Fans Really 'Afraid' to Say? |newspaper=The New York Times |date=March 11, 2016 |archive-date=July 18, 2020 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718011912/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/11/opinion/campaign-stops/what-are-trump-fans-really-afraid-to-say.html |url-status=live }} Prior to November he used to tell his rallies "Get 'em (protesters) out, but don't hurt 'em."{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/11/22/black-activist-punched-at-donald-trump-rally-in-birmingham/ |title=Trump on rally protester: 'Maybe he should have been roughed up' |date=November 22, 2015 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=August 10, 2016 |archive-date=August 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811042014/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/11/22/black-activist-punched-at-donald-trump-rally-in-birmingham/ |url-status=live }} But in November 2015, Trump said of a protester in Birmingham, Alabama, "Maybe he should have been roughed up, because it was absolutely disgusting what he was doing." On February{{nbsp}}1 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, he told the crowd there might be tomato-throwing protesters, and urged his audience to "knock the crap out of 'em" if anyone should try. "I promise you, I will pay the legal fees", he added.{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/blogs/iowa-caucus-2016-live-updates/2016/02/donald-trump-iowa-rally-tomatoes-218546|title=Trump urges crowd to 'knock the crap out of' anyone with tomatoes|website=Politico|date=February 2016|access-date=March 31, 2020|archive-date=February 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218150910/https://www.politico.com/blogs/iowa-caucus-2016-live-updates/2016/02/donald-trump-iowa-rally-tomatoes-218546|url-status=live}} On February 23, 2016, at a rally in Las Vegas, Trump reacted to a protester by saying "I love the old days—you know what they used to do to guys like that when they were in a place like this? They'd be carried out on a stretcher, folks", adding "I'd like to punch him in the face."{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/23/politics/donald-trump-nevada-rally-punch/ |title=Donald Trump on protester: 'I'd like to punch him in the face' |last=Diamond |first=Jeremy |date=February 23, 2016 |work=CNN |access-date=August 10, 2016 |archive-date=August 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808170637/https://www.cnn.com/2016/02/23/politics/donald-trump-nevada-rally-punch/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/02/23/donald-trump-on-protester-id-like-to-punch-him-in-the-face/ |title=Donald Trump on a protester: 'I'd like to punch him in the face' |last=Miller |first=Michael E. |date=February 23, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=August 10, 2016 |archive-date=July 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701053625/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/02/23/donald-trump-on-protester-id-like-to-punch-him-in-the-face/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/02/23/donald-trump-on-protester-id-like-to-punch-him-in-the-face/ |title=Donald Trump on Protester: 'I'd Like to Punch Him in the Face' |date=February 23, 2016 |access-date=August 10, 2016 |archive-date=July 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728234734/https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/02/23/donald-trump-on-protester-id-like-to-punch-him-in-the-face/ |url-status=live }} On March{{nbsp}}9 a Trump supporter was charged with assault after he sucker-punched a protester who was being led out of the event.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/03/10/trump-protester-sucker-punched-at-north-carolina-rally-videos-show/ |title=Trump supporter charged after sucker-punching protester at North Carolina rally |date=March 11, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=August 10, 2016 |archive-date=August 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802222552/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/03/10/trump-protester-sucker-punched-at-north-carolina-rally-videos-show/ |url-status=live }} When Trump was asked if he would pay the man's legal fees, Trump said he was "looking into it", although he "doesn't condone violence in any shape".{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/272822-trump-im-looking-into-paying-legal-fees-of-supporter-who/ |title=Trump looking into paying legal fees in sucker punch incident |last=Savarinsky |first=Rebecca |date=March 13, 2016 |work=The Hill |access-date=August 10, 2016 |archive-date=August 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820082501/http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/272822-trump-im-looking-into-paying-legal-fees-of-supporter-who |url-status=live }} The local sheriff's office considered filing charges against Trump for "inciting a riot" at that event, but concluded there was not sufficient evidence to charge him.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/after-punching-incident-nc-sheriff-ponders-inciting-a-riot-charge-against-trump/2016/03/14/2f300ec6-ea13-11e5-bc08-3e03a5b41910_story.html |title=N.C. sheriff's office won't file 'inciting a riot' charge against Trump |date=March 14, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=August 10, 2016 |archive-date=November 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119110012/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/after-punching-incident-nc-sheriff-ponders-inciting-a-riot-charge-against-trump/2016/03/14/2f300ec6-ea13-11e5-bc08-3e03a5b41910_story.html |url-status=live }}

On May 3, Trump became the presumptive nominee of the Republican Party after his victory in Indiana and the withdrawal of the last competitors, Ted Cruz and John Kasich, from the race.{{cite news |first1=Jonathan |last1=Martin |first2=Patrick |last2=Healy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/04/us/politics/indiana-republican-democratic.html |title=Donald Trump All but Clinches G.O.P. Race With Indiana Win; Ted Cruz Quits |work=The New York Times |date=May 3, 2016 |archive-date=November 14, 2016 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114162939/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/04/us/politics/indiana-republican-democratic.html |url-status=live }}

Some Republicans declined to support Trump's candidacy, including former primary rival Jeb Bush (who announced that he would not vote for Trump) and Bush's father and brother, former presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush (who announced that they would not endorse Trump).{{cite news |first=Alexander |last=Burns |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/07/us/politics/donald-trump-seeks-republican-unity-but-finds-rejection.html |title=Donald Trump Seeks Republican Unity but Finds Rejection |work=The New York Times |date=May 6, 2016 |archive-date=March 1, 2021 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301113011/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/07/us/politics/donald-trump-seeks-republican-unity-but-finds-rejection.html |url-status=live }} Paul Ryan announced that he was "not ready" to endorse Trump for the presidency.{{cite news |first1=Jennifer |last1=Steinhauer |first2=Alexander |last2=Burns |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/06/us/politics/paul-ryan-donald-trump.html |title=Paul Ryan Says He Is 'Not Ready' to Endorse Donald Trump |work=The New York Times |date=May 5, 2016 |archive-date=March 7, 2021 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307230219/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/06/us/politics/paul-ryan-donald-trump.html |url-status=live }} On May 8, Trump's campaign said that he would not rule out a bid to remove Ryan from his post as chairman of the 2016 Republican National Convention,{{cite news |first=Alexander |last=Burns |url=https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/05/08/trump-wont-rule-out-effort-to-remove-ryan-as-convention-chairman/ |title=Donald Trump Won't Rule Out Effort to Remove Paul Ryan as Convention Chairman |work=The New York Times |date=8 May 2016 |access-date=May 8, 2016 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308145915/https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/05/08/trump-wont-rule-out-effort-to-remove-ryan-as-convention-chairman/ |url-status=live }} and the following day, Ryan said that he would step down as convention chairman if asked by Trump to do so.{{cite news |first=Tal |last=Kopan |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/09/politics/paul-ryan-donald-trump-convention-chairman/index.html |title=Paul Ryan will skip chairing convention if Donald Trump asks |work=CNN |date=May 9, 2016 |archive-date=October 3, 2020 |access-date=May 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003223611/https://www.cnn.com/2016/05/09/politics/paul-ryan-donald-trump-convention-chairman/index.html |url-status=live }} On June 2, Ryan announced that he would vote for Trump.{{cite news |first=Debbye Turner |last=Bell |url=https://www.yahoo.com/katiecouric/speaker-paul-ryan-endorses-donald-trump-205621411.html |title=Speaker Paul Ryan endorses Donald Trump |work=Yahoo! News |date=June 2, 2016 |archive-date=October 13, 2018 |access-date=June 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013053913/https://www.yahoo.com/katiecouric/speaker-paul-ryan-endorses-donald-trump-205621411.html |url-status=live }}

Senator Jeff Sessions was the first sitting U.S. senator to endorse Trump.{{cite web |last1=Diamond |first1=Jeremy |title=Sen. Jeff Sessions endorses Donald Trump |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/28/politics/donald-trump-jeff-sessions-endorsement/ |website=CNN |access-date=July 11, 2016 |location=Madison, Alabama |date=February 29, 2016 |archive-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208114341/https://www.cnn.com/2016/02/28/politics/donald-trump-jeff-sessions-endorsement/ |url-status=live }} Other prominent Republicans, such as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, governors Bobby Jindal and Rick Perry, and former senator and Republican presidential nominee Bob Dole, followed.{{cite news |first=Alan |last=Rappeport |title=Bobby Jindal Decides to Vote for Donald Trump, the Lesser of Two Evils |url=https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/05/09/bobby-jindal-decides-to-vote-for-donald-trump-the-lesser-of-two-evils/ |work=The New York Times |date=May 9, 2016 |archive-date=October 9, 2020 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009190326/https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/05/09/bobby-jindal-decides-to-vote-for-donald-trump-the-lesser-of-two-evils/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first=Jeremy |last=Diamond |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/05/06/politics/bob-dole-endorses-donald-trump/index.html |work=CNN|date=May 6, 2016 |access-date=5 October 2023 |title=Bob Dole endorses Donald Trump }} McConnell stated, "The right-of-center world needs to respect the fact that the primary voters have spoken."{{cite web |last1=Rosenthal |first1=Andrew |title=Why Republicans Won't Renounce Trump |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/08/opinion/campaign-stops/why-republicans-wont-renounce-trump.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=July 11, 2016 |date=June 8, 2016 |archive-date=February 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211001739/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/08/opinion/campaign-stops/why-republicans-wont-renounce-trump.html |url-status=live }}

On May 26, Trump secured his 1,238th delegate, achieving a majority of the available delegates.{{cite news |last1=Parker |first1=Ashley |last2=Rappeport |first2=Alan |title=Donald Trump Has Delegate Majority for Republican Nomination, The A.P. Says |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/27/us/politics/donald-trump-republican-nomination.html |access-date=June 9, 2016 |work=The New York Times |date=May 26, 2016 |archive-date=February 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226193628/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/27/us/politics/donald-trump-republican-nomination.html |url-status=live }}

In June 2016, two groups of Republican delegates opposed to Trump emerged. Free the Delegates sought to change the convention rules to include a 'conscience clause' that would allow delegates bound to Trump to vote against him.{{cite news |last1=Jaffe |first1=Alexandra |title=Campaign to Dump Trump at Republican Convention Emerges |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/campaign-dump-trump-republican-convention-emerges-n594766 |access-date=June 18, 2016 |work=NBC News |date=June 17, 2016 |archive-date=June 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617231059/http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/campaign-dump-trump-republican-convention-emerges-n594766 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=O'Keefe |first1=Ed |title=Dozens of GOP delegates launch new push to halt Donald Trump |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/dozens-of-gop-delegates-launch-new-push-to-halt-donald-trump/2016/06/17/e8dcf74e-3491-11e6-8758-d58e76e11b12_story.html |access-date=June 18, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=June 17, 2016 |archive-date=June 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617190847/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/dozens-of-gop-delegates-launch-new-push-to-halt-donald-trump/2016/06/17/e8dcf74e-3491-11e6-8758-d58e76e11b12_story.html |url-status=live }} Delegates Unbound engaged in "an effort to convince delegates that they have the authority and the ability to vote for whomever they want".{{cite news |last1=LoBianco |first1=Tom |last2=Kopan |first2=Tal |title=RNC delegates launch 'Anybody but Trump' drive |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/17/politics/delegate-unbinding-effort-organized/ |access-date=June 18, 2016 |work=CNN |date=June 17, 2016 |archive-date=June 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618133624/https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/17/politics/delegate-unbinding-effort-organized |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Bash |first1=Dana |last2=Raju |first2=Manu |title=How the GOP could cut ties with Donald Trump |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/16/politics/donald-trump-republican-anxiety/index.html |access-date=June 18, 2016 |work=CNN |date=June 17, 2016 |archive-date=June 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617221422/http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/16/politics/donald-trump-republican-anxiety/index.html |url-status=live }} According to the group, "There is no language supporting binding in the temporary rules of the convention, which are the only rules that matter" and "barring any rules changes at the convention, delegates can vote their conscience on the first ballot."

On May 9, Trump named New Jersey Governor Chris Christie to head a team to plan the transition of the presidency in the event of a Trump victory.{{cite magazine |last1=Berman |first1=Russell |title=Chris Christie Will Start Planning the Trump Administration |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/05/chris-christie-will-start-planning-the-trump-administration/481896/ |access-date=May 9, 2016 |magazine=The Atlantic |date=May 9, 2016 |archive-date=March 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309114701/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/05/chris-christie-will-start-planning-the-trump-administration/481896/ |url-status=live }} In November 2016, after calls for his impeachment as Governor and felony convictions in U.S. federal court for high-ranking members of his staff in the Bridgegate scandal, Christie was dropped by Trump as leader of the transition team, in favor of Mike Pence.{{citation |access-date=November 12, 2016 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/nov/11/chris-christie-dropped-trump-transition-team |date=November 11, 2016 |work=The Guardian |title=Chris Christie dropped as head of Trump's White House transition team |author=David Smith |archive-date=March 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309224605/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/nov/11/chris-christie-dropped-trump-transition-team |url-status=live }}{{citation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/12/us/politics/trump-cabinet.html |work=The New York Times |date=November 11, 2016 |access-date=November 12, 2016 |title=Vice President-Elect Pence to Take Over Trump Transition Effort |author1=Michael D. Shear |author2=Michael S. Schmidt |author3=Maggie Habermannov |archive-date=November 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111171252/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/12/us/politics/trump-cabinet.html |url-status=live }}

On June 20, 2016, Trump fired his campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, reportedly in response to lagging fundraising and campaign infrastructure (as well as power struggles within the campaign, according to multiple GOP sources). Paul Manafort, Trump's campaign chairman, who was brought in during the primary to prepare for a contested convention, assumed the role of chief strategist.{{cite news |first1=Maggie |last1=Haberman |author-link=Maggie Haberman |first2=Alexander |last2=Burns |first3=Ashley |last3=Parker |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/21/us/politics/corey-lewandowski-donald-trump.html |title=Donald Trump Fires Corey Lewandowski, His Campaign Manager |work=The New York Times |date=20 June 2016 |access-date=June 20, 2016 |archive-date=June 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620170620/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/21/us/politics/corey-lewandowski-donald-trump.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first1=MJ |last1=Lee |first2=Dana |last2=Bash |first3=Gloria |last3=Borger |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/20/politics/corey-lewandowski-out-as-trump-campaign-manager/ |title=Corey Lewandowski out as Trump campaign manager |work=CNN |date=June 21, 2016 |archive-date=February 28, 2021 |access-date=June 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228054240/https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/20/politics/corey-lewandowski-out-as-trump-campaign-manager/ |url-status=live }}

Kevin Kellems, a veteran GOP strategist and former aide to Vice President Dick Cheney, resigned from Trump's staff after he was appointed to help inspect the campaign's surrogate operations.{{cite web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/donald-trump-kevin-kellems-colorado-000000679.html |title=Departures come as steady a campaign operation that has been shaken by internal drama |last=Bailey |first=Holly |date=July 1, 2016 |website=Yahoo! News Politics |access-date=July 1, 2016 |archive-date=July 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701220341/https://www.yahoo.com/news/donald-trump-kevin-kellems-colorado-000000679.html |url-status=live }} Erica Freeman, another aide to Trump who worked with surrogates, also resigned.

File:Kellyanne Conway by Gage Skidmore.jpg at the Conservative Political Action Conference 2016]]

In June 2016, Trump hired Jason Miller to assist the communications operation. On July 1, 2016, Trump announced he hired Kellyanne Conway, a veteran GOP strategist and canvasser, for a senior advisory position. Conway, who formerly backed Cruz, was expected to advise Trump on how to better appeal to female voters. Conway had headed a pro-Cruz super PAC funded by hedge-fund tycoon Robert Mercer. After Trump won the Republican presidential nomination, the PAC morphed into the "Defeat Crooked Hillary PAC". When the Trump campaign hired Conway, it referred to her as "widely regarded as an expert on female consumers and voters."{{cite news |first=Stassa |last=Edwards |url=https://jezebel.com/trump-campaign-hires-gender-gap-expert-kellyanne-conway-1782959310 |title=Trump Campaign Hires 'Gender Gap' Expert |work=Jezebel |date=July 1, 2016 |access-date=August 18, 2016 |archive-date=September 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914180646/https://jezebel.com/trump-campaign-hires-gender-gap-expert-kellyanne-conway-1782959310 |url-status=live }} Conway became the first woman to run a Republican general election presidential campaign.{{cite web |url=http://nation.foxnews.com/2016/08/17/kellyanne-conway-becomes-first-woman-run-gop-presidential-campaign-nets-yawn |title=Kellyanne Conway Becomes First Woman to Run GOP Presidential Campaign; Nets Yawn—Fox Nation |publisher=Fox News |date=October 1, 2006 |access-date=August 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818185300/http://nation.foxnews.com/2016/08/17/kellyanne-conway-becomes-first-woman-run-gop-presidential-campaign-nets-yawn |archive-date=August 18, 2016 |url-status=dead }} David Urban took a role as a senior advisor to the campaign, focusing on the effort to win Pennsylvania.{{cite news |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/presidential/20160720_Meet_Pa__s_David_Urban__Trump_tactician_and__traffic_controller__at_RNC.html |title=Meet Pa.'s David Urban, Trump tactician and 'traffic controller' at RNC |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=July 20, 2016 |archive-date=December 15, 2018 |access-date=March 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215231121/http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/presidential/20160720_Meet_Pa__s_David_Urban__Trump_tactician_and__traffic_controller__at_RNC.html |url-status=live }}

On August 17, 2016, Trump announced Breitbart News executive chairman Stephen Bannon as the campaign chief executive and promoted Conway to campaign manager, replacing Paul Manafort who had been handling those duties unofficially. Manafort had been criticized in the media for connections to former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/donald-trump-hands-kellyanne-conway-stephen-bannon-new-roles-campaign-n632471 |title=Donald Trump Overhauls Campaign Leadership |website=NBC News |date=August 17, 2016 |access-date=April 16, 2020 |archive-date=February 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201113919/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/donald-trump-hands-kellyanne-conway-stephen-bannon-new-roles-campaign-n632471 |url-status=live }} and other dictators.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video/politics/four-controversial-figures-paul-manafort-did-business-with/2016/08/16/e5e088c6-63ee-11e6-b4d8-33e931b5a26d_video.html|title=Four controversial figures Paul Manafort did business with|newspaper=The Washington Post|archive-date=October 13, 2018|access-date=August 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013093300/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video/politics/four-controversial-figures-paul-manafort-did-business-with/2016/08/16/e5e088c6-63ee-11e6-b4d8-33e931b5a26d_video.html|url-status=live}} Although Manafort initially retained the title of campaign chairman,{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/17/politics/trump-campaign-overhaul/index.html |title=Trump campaign shake-up |first=Jeremy |last=Diamond |work=CNN |date=August 17, 2016 |access-date=August 26, 2016 |archive-date=February 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201013414/https://www.cnn.com/2016/08/17/politics/trump-campaign-overhaul/index.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/08/17/trump-reshuffles-staff-in-his-own-image/|title=Trump shakes up campaign, demotes top adviser|newspaper=The Washington Post|archive-date=November 25, 2016|access-date=August 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161125175754/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/08/17/trump-reshuffles-staff-in-his-own-image/|url-status=live}} he resigned from this position on August 19, 2016.{{cite news |last1=McCaskill |first1=Nolan |title=Paul Manafort resigns from Trump campaign |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/08/paul-manafort-resigns-from-trump-campaign-227197 |access-date=August 19, 2016 |work=Politico |date=August 19, 2016 |archive-date=August 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819142913/http://www.politico.com/story/2016/08/paul-manafort-resigns-from-trump-campaign-227197 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Morrengiello |first1=Gabbi |title=Paul Manafort resigns from Trump campaign |url=http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/manafort-resigns-from-trump-campaign/article/2599733 |work=Washington Examiner |date=August 19, 2016 |access-date=August 19, 2016 |archive-date=October 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022142632/http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/manafort-resigns-from-trump-campaign/article/2599733 |url-status=live }}

In September 2016, Trump hired David Bossie, longtime president of the conservative advocacy group Citizens United, to be his new deputy campaign manager.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-hires-head-of-citizens-united-to-be-deputy-campaign-manager/ |title=Donald Trump hires longtime president of Citizens United David Bossie to be new deputy campaign manager |last=Garrett |first=Major |date=September 2, 2016 |website=CBS News |access-date=September 2, 2016 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308111230/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-hires-head-of-citizens-united-to-be-deputy-campaign-manager/ |url-status=live }}

{{Main|2016 Republican Party vice presidential candidate selection}}

File:Donald Trump and Mike Pence RNC July 2016.jpg at the Republican National Convention, July 2016]]

From early to mid-July, various media outlets widely reported that Trump's short list for his pick as vice president and running mate had narrowed to Indiana governor Mike Pence, New Jersey governor Chris Christie, and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.{{cite web |url=http://www.newsday.com/news/nation/trump-and-family-meet-with-vp-finalists-1.12038045 |title=Trump and family meet with VP finalists |work=Newsweek |access-date=August 1, 2016 |archive-date=July 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160717142837/http://www.newsday.com/news/nation/trump-and-family-meet-with-vp-finalists-1.12038045 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/trump-huddles-vp-finalists-pence-gingrich-christie-ind-article-1.2709841 |title=Trump huddles with VP finalists Pence, Gingrich, Christie in Ind. |work=New York Daily News |date=July 13, 2016 |access-date=August 1, 2016 |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224205012/https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/trump-huddles-vp-finalists-pence-gingrich-christie-ind-article-1.2709841 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/b8a3c238b8b44067ad63412e05c9225a/ap-source-gingrich-being-vetted-trump-vp |title=AP sources: Trump vetting Gingrich, Christie, Pence for VP |agency=Associated Press|access-date=August 1, 2016 |archive-date=September 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920075108/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/b8a3c238b8b44067ad63412e05c9225a/ap-source-gingrich-being-vetted-trump-vp |url-status=dead }}

On July 15, 2016, Trump officially announced via Twitter that he had chosen Pence to be his running mate.{{Cite tweet |user=realdonaldtrump |author=Donald J. Trump |number=753965070003109888 |date=July 15, 2016 |title=I am pleased to announce that I have chosen Governor Mike Pence as my Vice Presidential running mate. News conference tomorrow at 11:00 A.M.}} Trump introduced Pence as his running mate at a press conference the next day.{{cite news |author=Maggie Haberman |title=Donald Trump Delivers a Long, Passionate Speech. He Introduces Mike Pence, Too. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/17/us/politics/mike-pence-donald-trump.html |date=July 17, 2016 |newspaper=The New York Times |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212160639/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/17/us/politics/mike-pence-donald-trump.html |url-status=live }} Pence formally accepted the nomination on July 20 at the Republican National Convention.

On October 27, 2016, Pence's Boeing 737-700 airplane fishtailed off the runway at LaGuardia Airport in New York during landing. There were no injuries reported among those on board, which included members of the press in the back of the plane. As a result of the accident, Pence cancelled a campaign event that night, though said on Twitter that he would be back campaigning the next day on October 28.{{cite web |last1=Watkins |first1=Eli |last2=Landers |first2=Elizabeth |title=Plane carrying Pence skids off runway |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/27/politics/plane-carrying-pence-skids-off-runway/ |website=CNN |date=October 28, 2016 |access-date=October 28, 2016 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116183452/https://www.cnn.com/2016/10/27/politics/plane-carrying-pence-skids-off-runway/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Plane carrying Pence skids off runway at LaGuardia Airport |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/plane-carrying-pence-skids-off-runway-at-laguardia-airport |website=Fox News |date=October 27, 2016 |access-date=October 28, 2016 |archive-date=November 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112225524/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/plane-carrying-pence-skids-off-runway-at-laguardia-airport |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Beech |first1=Eric |title=Mike Pence's Airplane Skids Off Runway At LaGuardia, No Injuries |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/mike-pence-plane-runway_us_581297b1e4b0990edc303ca8 |website=Huffington Post |date=October 27, 2016 |access-date=October 28, 2016 |archive-date=June 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615044335/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/mike-pence-plane-runway_us_581297b1e4b0990edc303ca8 |url-status=live }}

{{Main|2016 United States presidential debates}}

The first of three presidential debates took place on September 26, at New York's Hofstra University. The moderator was Lester Holt of NBC.{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2016/09/26/495115346/fact-check-first-presidential-debate|title=Fact Check: Trump And Clinton Debate For The First Time|last1=NPR staff|website=npr.com|date=September 26, 2016|publisher=NPR|access-date=September 29, 2016|archive-date=April 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401005527/https://www.npr.org/2016/09/26/495115346/fact-check-first-presidential-debate|url-status=live}} A live-TV audience of 84 million viewers set a viewership record for presidential debates.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/debate-ratings-might-break-record-1474996186|title=Presidential Debate Sets Viewership Record|last1=Perlberg|first1=Steven|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=September 27, 2016|access-date=September 29, 2016|archive-date=March 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318090322/https://www.wsj.com/articles/debate-ratings-might-break-record-1474996186|url-status=live}} Scientific polls showed that most voters thought Hillary Clinton performed better than Donald Trump in the debate.{{Cite web|url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/election-update-early-polls-suggest-a-post-debate-bounce-for-clinton/|title=Election Update: Early Polls Suggest A Post-Debate Bounce For Clinton|date=September 28, 2016|language=en-US|access-date=September 29, 2016|archive-date=September 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160929140736/https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/election-update-early-polls-suggest-a-post-debate-bounce-for-clinton/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/sep/30/donald-trump-fact-check-debate-polls-us-jobs|title=The lies Trump told this week: from post-debate polls to losing US jobs|last=Yuhas|first=Alan|date=September 30, 2016|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=October 4, 2016|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108135243/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/sep/30/donald-trump-fact-check-debate-polls-us-jobs|url-status=live}} The second debate was held on October 9, at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/10/us/politics/transcript-second-debate.html|title=Transcript of the Second Debate|date=October 10, 2016|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=October 12, 2016|archive-date=October 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011054638/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/10/us/politics/transcript-second-debate.html|url-status=live}} The co-moderators were CNN's Anderson Cooper and ABC News' Martha Raddatz. Trump tweeted on Tuesday morning that "every poll" declared him the winner.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-on-twitter-paul-ryan-is-a-weak-and-ineffective-leader/|title=Trump on Twitter: Paul Ryan is a "weak and ineffective leader"|last1=Boccagna|first1=Julia|work=CBS News|date=October 11, 2016|access-date=October 12, 2016|archive-date=October 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012155938/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-on-twitter-paul-ryan-is-a-weak-and-ineffective-leader/|url-status=live}} The final debate took place on the campus of the UNLV in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 19. The moderator was Chris Wallace of Fox News.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/20/us/politics/third-debate-transcript.html|title=Transcript of the Third Debate|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 20, 2016|access-date=October 22, 2016|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308160815/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/20/us/politics/third-debate-transcript.html|url-status=live}}

{{Main|List of Donald Trump 2016 presidential campaign endorsements|List of Donald Trump 2016 presidential campaign primary endorsements}}

{{multiple image

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| image2 = Herman Cain by Gage Skidmore 4.jpg

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| footer = Former Mayor of New York Rudy Giuliani and 2012 presidential candidate Herman Cain endorsed Trump.

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The Las Vegas Review-Journal was the first and only major newspaper to endorse Donald Trump's campaign.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/10/23/trump-receives-his-first-major-newspaper-endorsement-and-he-has-sheldon-adelson-to-thank/|title=Trump receives his first major newspaper endorsement, and he has Sheldon Adelson to thank|last1=Wootson|first1=Cleve R. Jr.|date=October 23, 2016|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=October 24, 2016|archive-date=February 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202055805/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/10/23/trump-receives-his-first-major-newspaper-endorsement-and-he-has-sheldon-adelson-to-thank/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-donald-trump-president|title=Editorial: Donald Trump for president|author=The Las Vegas Review-Journal Editorial Board|date=October 22, 2016|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|access-date=October 24, 2016|archive-date=October 23, 2016|archive-url=https://archive.today/20161023175105/http://www.reviewjournal.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-donald-trump-president|url-status=live}} Many Republican-leaning papers endorsed Clinton or urged readers not to vote for Trump while declining to endorse any other candidate.{{cite news|url=http://www.inquisitr.com/3569580/donald-trump-has-received-zero-major-newspaper-endorsements-a-first-in-modern-american-history/|title=Donald Trump Has Received Zero Major Newspaper Endorsements, A First In Modern American History|last=Priyadarshi|first=Mohit|date=October 7, 2016|newspaper=Inquisitr|access-date=October 8, 2016|archive-date=March 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303102019/https://www.inquisitr.com/3569580/donald-trump-has-received-zero-major-newspaper-endorsements-a-first-in-modern-american-history/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.yahoo.com/tv/donald-trump-makes-history-zero-major-newspaper-endorsements-000943174.html|title=Donald Trump Makes History With Zero Major Newspaper Endorsements|last=Hod|first=Itay|date=October 6, 2016|newspaper=Yahoo! News|access-date=October 8, 2016|archive-date=October 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022033047/https://www.yahoo.com/tv/donald-trump-makes-history-zero-major-newspaper-endorsements-000943174.html|url-status=live}}

The Houston Chronicle, The Cincinnati Enquirer, The Dallas Morning News, and The Arizona Republic editorial boards, which normally endorse Republican candidates, endorsed Hillary Clinton.

The New Hampshire Union Leader, which had endorsed the Republican in every election for the last 100 years, endorsed Gary Johnson.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/14/politics/gary-johnson-joe-mcquaid-union-leader-new-hampshire/|title=Union Leader breaks with 100-year tradition, endorses Gary Johnson|last1=Diaz|first1=Daniella|last2=Spodak|first2=Cassie|date=September 14, 2016|work=CNN|access-date=September 27, 2016|archive-date=September 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924125212/https://www.cnn.com/2016/09/14/politics/gary-johnson-joe-mcquaid-union-leader-new-hampshire|url-status=live}} Several news reports, including one by Chris Cillizza, political reporter for The Washington Post, compared the 2016 Donald Trump political campaign to The Waldo Moment, a 2013 episode of the Black Mirror TV series;{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/09/08/donald-trumps-troll-game-of-jeb-bush-a/|title=Donald Trump's troll game of Jeb Bush: A+|last=Cillizza|first=Chris|date=September 8, 2015|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=October 24, 2015|author-link=Chris Cillizza|archive-date=October 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017031625/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/09/08/donald-trumps-troll-game-of-jeb-bush-a/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://decider.com/2015/08/07/black-mirror-the-waldo-effect-2016-presidential-race/|title=Why You Must Watch 'Black Mirror': "The Waldo Moment" This Weekend|last=O'Keefe|first=Meghan|date=August 7, 2015|work=Decider|access-date=October 24, 2015|archive-date=October 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011065627/http://decider.com/2015/08/07/black-mirror-the-waldo-effect-2016-presidential-race/|url-status=live}} in September 2016, episode writer Charlie Brooker also compared the Trump campaign to the episode and predicted Trump would win.{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/09/13/black-mirror-creator-predicts-trump-will-be-president-i-find-it-f-cking-terrifying.html|title='Black Mirror' Creator Predicts Trump Will Be President: 'I Find It F*cking Terrifying'|last=Yamato|first=Jen|date=September 13, 2016|work=The Daily Beast|access-date=October 8, 2016|archive-date=October 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009171420/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/09/13/black-mirror-creator-predicts-trump-will-be-president-i-find-it-f-cking-terrifying.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://birthmoviesdeath.com/2016/09/13/black-mirrors-charlie-brooker-predicts-that-trump-will-win-the-election|title=Black Mirror's Charlie Brooker Predicts Trump Will Win The Election|last=Wampler|first=Scott|date=September 13, 2016|work=BirthMoviesDeath.com|access-date=October 8, 2016|archive-date=October 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010073127/http://birthmoviesdeath.com/2016/09/13/black-mirrors-charlie-brooker-predicts-that-trump-will-win-the-election|url-status=live}}

USA Today, which never had endorsed a candidate in its 34-year history, took sides in the race with an editorial that had declared Trump to be "erratic", described his business career as "checkered", and called him a "serial liar" and "unfit for the presidency". The newspaper, however, said the "editorial does not represent unqualified support for Hillary Clinton."{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/trailguide/la-na-live-updates-trailguide-don-t-vote-for-trump-says-usa-today-1475192834-htmlstory.html|title=Campaign 2016 updates: Another newspaper that has long backed GOP candidates bucks Donald Trump|date=September 30, 2016|via=Los Angeles Times|access-date=October 7, 2016|archive-date=October 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006045327/http://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/trailguide/la-na-live-updates-trailguide-don-t-vote-for-trump-says-usa-today-1475192834-htmlstory.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2016/09/29/dont-vote-for-donald-trump-editorial-board-editorials-debates/91295020/|title=USA Today's Editorial Board: Trump is 'unfit for the presidency'|website=USA Today|access-date=October 7, 2016|archive-date=June 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609101737/https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2016/09/29/dont-vote-for-donald-trump-editorial-board-editorials-debates/91295020/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/29/usa-todays-editorial-board-trump-is-unfit-for-the-presidency.html|title=USA Today editorial declares Donald Trump is 'unfit for the presidency'|author=|work=CNBC|date=September 30, 2016|access-date=October 7, 2016|archive-date=October 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022193406/https://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/29/usa-todays-editorial-board-trump-is-unfit-for-the-presidency.html|url-status=live}}

Viktor Orban, the PM of Hungary, was the first foreign leader to endorse Trump before the elections.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/24/world/americas/hungarys-viktor-orban-says-donald-trump-is-better-for-europe.html|title=Hungarian Leader, Viktor Orban, Says Donald Trump Is Better for Europe|website=The New York Times|date=July 23, 2016|access-date=August 16, 2022|archive-date=August 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824013145/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/24/world/americas/hungarys-viktor-orban-says-donald-trump-is-better-for-europe.html|url-status=live}}

{{Main|2016 United States presidential election}}

File:ElectoralCollege2016.svg, Michigan, and Wisconsin.]]

As the results came in on election night, November 8, 2016, Trump won in multiple states that had been predicted to go to Clinton. In the early morning hours of November 9, media sources declared Trump the winner of the presidency, crediting him with 279 electoral college votes where 270 were needed to win.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/08/us/politics/election-day-voting.html|title=Clinton vs. Trump: Voters Have Their Say on Election Day|date=November 9, 2016|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=November 9, 2016|archive-date=November 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110012341/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/08/us/politics/election-day-voting.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/president|title=Presidential Election Results: Donald J. Trump Wins|date=November 9, 2016|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=November 10, 2016|quote=Hillary Clinton 60,071,781 votes (47.7%) Donald J. Trump 59,791,135 votes (47.5%)|archive-date=February 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227084943/http://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/president|url-status=live}} Clinton then phoned Trump to concede and to congratulate him on his victory, whereupon Trump gave a victory speech.{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/hillary-clinton-concession-speech_us_5822d001e4b0d9ce6fbff613|title=Clinton Delays Concession Speech As Trump Seizes Victory|last1=Horowitz Satlin|first1=Alana|date=November 9, 2016|work=HuffPost|access-date=November 9, 2016|archive-date=November 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109110916/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/hillary-clinton-concession-speech_us_5822d001e4b0d9ce6fbff613|url-status=live}} His victory was widely described as a "stunning upset", since most pre-election polling had predicted a Clinton win.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/election-day-an-acrimonious-race-reaches-its-end-point/2016/11/08/32b96c72-a557-11e6-ba59-a7d93165c6d4_story.html|title=Donald Trump wins the presidency in stunning upset over Clinton|date=November 9, 2016|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=November 17, 2016|archive-date=February 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228131956/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/election-day-an-acrimonious-race-reaches-its-end-point/2016/11/08/32b96c72-a557-11e6-ba59-a7d93165c6d4_story.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/11/donald-trump-wins-2016-214438|title=Inside Trump's Stunning Upset Victory|date=November 9, 2016|work=Politico|access-date=November 17, 2016|archive-date=February 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212151122/https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/11/donald-trump-wins-2016-214438/|url-status=live}}

As of November 28, Trump is credited with 306 electoral votes compared to 232 for Clinton.{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2016/11/28/503624804/trump-officially-wins-michigan-as-possible-recount-looms|title=Trump Officially Wins Michigan As Possible Recount Looms|last1=Taylor|first1=Jessica|date=November 28, 2016|work=NPR|access-date=November 28, 2016|archive-date=July 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704213349/https://www.npr.org/2016/11/28/503624804/trump-officially-wins-michigan-as-possible-recount-looms|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/election/results|title=Results|work=CNN|access-date=November 17, 2016|archive-date=January 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129191506/http://www.cnn.com/election/results|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/11/michigan_election_voter_certif.html|title=Results unofficial, but Michigan unlikely to flip from Trump to Clinton|last=Gibbons|first=Lauren|date=November 16, 2016|work=MLive|access-date=November 17, 2016}} In the nationwide popular vote, Clinton received over 2.8 million (2.1%) more votes than Trump.{{cite web|url=http://cookpolitical.com/story/10174|title=2016 National Popular Vote Tracker|last=Wasserman|first=David|date=December 1, 2016|publisher=The Cook Political Report|access-date=December 2, 2016|archive-date=November 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161117085337/http://cookpolitical.com/story/10174|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://www.snopes.com/2016/11/13/who-won-the-popular-vote/|title=Final vote count 2016|last1=Evon|first1=Dan|date=November 13, 2016|work=Snopes|access-date=November 15, 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/clinton-popular-vote-trump-2016-election-231434|title=Clinton's lead in the popular vote passes 1 million|last=Conway|first=Madeline|date=November 15, 2016|work=Politico|access-date=November 17, 2016}} Trump is the fifth presidential candidate in U.S. history to win the election but lose the popular vote.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/popular-vote-electoral-college-five-presidential-nominees-hillary-clinton-al-gore-a7420971.html|title=Five presidential nominees who won popular vote but lost the election|last=Revesz|first=Rachael|date=November 16, 2016|work=The Independent|access-date=November 18, 2016}} This is the biggest-ever raw-vote loss in the popular vote for a candidate who won the election, though not by percentage.{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2016/11/25/503374202/clintons-popular-vote-lead-is-now-over-2-million-but-dont-expect-big-changes|title=Clinton's Popular-Vote Lead Is Now Over 2 Million, But Don't Expect Big Changes|last=Montanaro|first=Domenico|date=November 25, 2016|work=NPR|access-date=November 26, 2016}} The previous non-incumbent Republican to win the presidency, George W. Bush, had held the record with a loss of 543,895 votes.

Trump's share of the electoral vote was 56.9%; in a ranking of electoral votes in the 54 presidential elections since the ratification of the Twelfth Amendment in 1804 it is in 44th place.{{cite web|url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/war-is-peace-freedom-is-slavery-trump-won-in-a-landslide/|title=War Is Peace. Freedom Is Slavery. Trump Won In A Landslide|last=Silver|first=Nate|date=November 28, 2016|publisher=FiveThirtyEight.com|access-date=December 11, 2016}}

In an unprecedented move, Trump kept his presidential campaign organization in place after he assumed the presidency. {{As of|January 2017}} the campaign office in Trump Tower continued with a staff of about ten people, led by Michael Glassner. It focused on data-building and fundraising for a 2020 re-election campaign.{{cite news |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/donald-trump-campaign-reelection-233440 |title=Trump laying the groundwork for 2020 reelection bid |last=Isenstadt |first=Alex |date=January 10, 2017 |work=Politico|access-date=January 17, 2017}}

In May 2017, a senior aide to the campaign, Healy Baumgardner-Nardone, disclosed that she was lobbying for the Malaysian government.{{cite news |first=Emily |last=Jashinsky |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/trump-campaign-aide-lobbying-for-malaysian-government-through-firm-called-the-45-group |title=Trump campaign aide lobbying for Malaysian government through firm called 'The 45 Group' |work=Washington Examiner |date=May 24, 2017 |access-date=5 October 2023 }} The former campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, left a lobbying firm he had co-founded after the election, because it solicited in Eastern Europe.{{cite news |title=Amid scrutiny, Corey Lewandowski quits his new lobbying firm |first=Tom |last=Hamburger |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/amid-scrutiny-corey-lewandowski-quits-his-new-lobbying-firm/2017/05/04/9168660c-3110-11e7-9534-00e4656c22aa_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=May 4, 2017 |access-date=May 30, 2017 }}

A joint report published in June 2019 by the Center for Public Integrity, NBC News and CNBC detailed that the 2016 and 2020 Trump campaigns have yet to pay bills totaling over $800,000 to 10 city governments for costs incurred to ensure public safety with regard to Trump campaign rallies. The rallies took place from January 2016 to August 2016 in Burlington, Vermont, Tucson, Arizona, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Spokane, Washington, Green Bay, Wisconsin, and from September 2018 to February 2019 in Billings, Montana, Erie, Pennsylvania, Lebanon, Ohio, Mesa, Arizona, and El Paso, Texas.{{cite web |last1=Levinthal |first1=Dave |title=Why the Trump campaign won't pay police bills |url=https://publicintegrity.org/federal-politics/donald-trump-police-cities-bills-maga-rallies/ |website=Center for Public Integrity |date=June 13, 2019 |access-date=June 16, 2019}}

{{see also|Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections|Links between Trump associates and Russian officials and spies}}

Starting in 2015, several allied foreign intelligence agencies began reporting secret contacts between Trump campaigners and known or suspected Russian agents in multiple European cities.{{cite web | last1=Rosenberg | first1=Matthew | last2=Goldman | first2=Adam | last3=Schmidt | first3=Michael S. | title=Obama Administration Rushed to Preserve Intelligence of Russian Election Hacking | website=The New York Times | date=March 1, 2017 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/01/us/politics/obama-trump-russia-election-hacking.html | access-date=January 19, 2021}} In November 2016, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov contradicted Trump's denials by confirming the Trump campaign had been in contact with Russia, stating in a 2016 Interfax news agency interview: "Obviously, we know most of the people from his entourage," adding "I cannot say that all of them but quite a few have been staying in touch with Russian representatives."{{cite news | last1=Filipov | first1=David | last2=Roth | first2=Andrew | title=Moscow had contacts with Trump team during campaign, Russian diplomat says | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=November 10, 2016 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/moscow-had-contacts-with-trump-team-during-campaign-russian-diplomat-says/2016/11/10/28fb82fa-a73d-11e6-9bd6-184ab22d218e_story.html | access-date=January 14, 2022}}{{cite web | last=Nelson | first=Louis | title=Report: Trump's team had contacts with Moscow during campaign | website=Politico| date=November 10, 2016 | url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/trump-campaign-moscow-russia-contacts-231168 | access-date=January 14, 2022}}

Beginning on July 31, 2016, the campaign became the target of a covert FBI investigation known as Crossfire Hurricane, as well as several other independent FBI sources, to discover if any coordination existed between the campaign and Russia or other criminal activity occurred.{{cite news |last1=Bertrand |first1=Natasha |last2=Samuelsohn |first2=Darren |date=December 9, 2019 |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/12/09/inspector-generals-report-russia-key-takeaways-079030 |title=Inspector general's report on Russia probe: Key takeaways |work=Politico|access-date=December 21, 2019 }} On January 6, 2017, the United States government's intelligence agencies concluded that the Russian government interfered in the 2016 United States elections. A joint U.S. intelligence community review ordered by President Barack Obama stated with high confidence that "Russian President Vladimir V. Putin ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the US presidential election. Russia's goals were to undermine public faith in the US democratic process, denigrate Secretary Clinton, and harm her electability and potential presidency," and boost the candidacy of Donald Trump.{{cite web |url=https://www.dni.gov/files/documents/ICA_2017_01.pdf |title=Assessing Russian Activities and Intentions in Recent US Elections |author= |date=January 6, 2017 |publisher=Office of the Director of National Intelligence |access-date=June 24, 2017}}

Investigations about potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian officials were started by the FBI,{{cite news |first1=Julian |last1=Borger |first2=Spencer |last2=Ackerman |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/mar/20/fbi-director-comey-confirms-investigation-trump-russia |title=Trump-Russia collusion is being investigated by FBI, Comey confirms |newspaper=The Guardian |date=March 20, 2017 }} the Senate Intelligence Committee,{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-07-03/senate-russia-probe-agrees-that-putin-meddled-to-help-trump|title=Senate Intelligence Committee Agrees That Putin Meddled to Help Trump|author=Steven T. Dennis|newspaper=Bloomberg|date=July 3, 2018|publisher=Bloomberg News|access-date=July 19, 2018}} and the House Intelligence Committee.{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/house-intelligence-committee-ends-russia-probe-party-line-vote-n859126|title=House Intelligence Committee ends Russia probe with party-line vote|author=Mike Memoli & Marianna Sotomayor|date=March 22, 2018|work=NBC News}} In May 2017, Acting Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointed FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III as Special Counsel to oversee an investigation into "any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associates with the campaign of President Donald Trump; and (ii) any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation."{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/05/17/us/politics/document-Robert-Mueller-Special-Counsel-Russia.html|title=Rod Rosenstein's Letter Appointing Mueller Special Counsel|last1=Rosenstein|first1=Rod|date=May 17, 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=November 3, 2017}} Many suspicious{{cite web |last=Harding |first=Luke |title=How Trump walked into Putin's web |website=The Guardian |date=November 15, 2017 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2017/nov/15/how-trump-walked-into-putins-web-luke |access-date=May 22, 2019 |quote=...the Russians were talking to people associated with Trump. The precise nature of these exchanges has not been made public, but according to sources in the US and the UK, they formed a suspicious pattern. }}{{cite web |last1=Harding |first1=Luke |last2=Kirchgaessner |first2=Stephanie |last3=Hopkins |first3=Nick |title=British spies were first to spot Trump team's links with Russia |website=The Guardian |date=April 13, 2017 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/apr/13/british-spies-first-to-spot-trump-team-links-russia |access-date=May 13, 2019}} links between Trump associates and Russian officials and spies were identified by the FBI, Special counsel and several United States congressional committees, as part of their investigations into the Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections. {{as of|2018|July|df=US}}, the Mueller investigation obtained indictments or guilty pleas from 32 individuals and three Russian companies.{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/mueller-indictments-whos-who-1531511838 |title=Mueller Indictments: Who's Who |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=July 13, 2018 |access-date=5 October 2023 }}

As president, Trump has repeatedly rejected the conclusions of the U.S. intelligence agencies that the Russian government interfered in the election and has also denied allegations that his campaign colluded with Russia.

The March 2019 report issued by special council Robert Mueller at the conclusion of his investigations did not conclude that President Trump, whether as a candidate or President elect, had committed a crime, but described multiple instances of possible obstruction of justice and left it up to Congress to deal with the issue.{{cite web |url=https://www.justice.gov/storage/report.pdf/ |title=Report On The Investigation Into Russian Interference In The 2016 Presidential Election |last=Mueller |first=Robert |publisher=US Justice Dept. |date=March 30, 2019 |website=justice.gov |access-date=September 26, 2020 |archive-date=March 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309180853/https://www.justice.gov/storage/report.pdf |url-status=dead }}

{{Main|Political positions of Donald Trump}}

Trump has stated that he is a "conservative Republican".{{cite web |title=Donald Trump: 'I want to make the country great again' |url=https://www.foxnews.com/transcript/donald-trump-i-want-to-make-the-country-great-again/ |work=The Kelly File |publisher=Fox News |date=May 21, 2015 |access-date=February 16, 2016 |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160713094001/http://www.foxnews.com/transcript/2015/05/21/donald-trump-want-to-make-country-great-again/ |archive-date=July 13, 2016 |url-status=live }} Commentators Norman Ornstein and Bill Kristol labeled his collective political positions as "Trumpism".{{cite news |last1=Ornstein |first1=Norm |title=The Eight Causes of Trumpism |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/01/the-eight-causes-of-trumpism/422427/ |access-date=May 10, 2016 |work=The Atlantic |date=January 4, 2016}}{{cite news |last1=Kristol |first1=William |title=Conservatives against Trump |url=http://www.nationalreview.com/article/430126/donald-trump-conservatives-oppose-nomination |access-date=May 6, 2016 |work=National Review |date=January 21, 2016}} The Wall Street Journal used the term in drawing parallels with populist movements in China and the Philippines.{{cite news |last1=Browne |first1=Andrew |title=China Faces Its Own Version of Trumpism |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-faces-its-own-version-of-trumpism-1462876428 |access-date=May 10, 2016 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=May 10, 2016}} From an external political perspective, German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel termed Trump a right-wing populist similar to Marine Le Pen, Geert Wilders or Silvio Berlusconi.{{cite news |author1=The Editorial Board |title=Trying to Read Donald Trump, in Translation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/09/opinion/trying-to-read-mr-trump-in-translation.html |access-date=March 9, 2016 |work=The New York Times |date=March 8, 2016}} The New York Times Magazine analogized Trump's positions with that of past populist figures George Wallace and George McGovern in terms of the us-versus-them approaches.

{{See also|Balance of trade|Peter Navarro|Carrier Air Conditioner move to Mexico}}

Opposition to international trade agreements on the grounds that they hurt American workers by moving jobs abroad was one of the central themes of Trump's campaign.{{cite news |last1=Corasantini |first1=Nick |title=Donald Trump Vows to Rip Up Trade Deals and Confront China |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/29/us/politics/donald-trump-trade-speech.html |access-date=December 9, 2016 |work=The New York Times |date=June 28, 2016}} Trump's chief trade advisor during the campaign was Peter Navarro.{{cite web |url=https://greatagain.gov/navarro-national-trade-council-c2d90c10eacb#.7ri8g5sa3|title=President-Elect Trump Appoints Dr. Peter Navarro to Head the White House National Trade Council|date=December 21, 2016|website=greatagain.gov |quote=President-elect Donald J. Trump today announced the formation of the White House National Trade Council (NTC) and his selection of Dr. Peter Navarro to serve as Assistant to the President and Director of Trade and Industrial Policy.|access-date=January 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118200515/https://greatagain.gov/navarro-national-trade-council-c2d90c10eacb |archive-date=January 18, 2017 |url-status=dead}}

File:Peter Navarro, Director of the White House National Trade Council, Addresses in the Oval Office before U.S. President Donald Trump Signs Executive Orders Regarding Trade on March 31, 2017 4.jpg's promises to American people, workers, and domestic manufacturers ([https://web.archive.org/web/20160628190315/https://assets.donaldjtrump.com/DJT_DeclaringAmericanEconomicIndependence.pdf Declaring American Economic Independence] on June 28, 2016) in the Oval Office with Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross before President Trump signs Executive Orders regarding trade in March 2017{{cite web |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/03/31/presidential-executive-order-regarding-omnibus-report-significant-trade |title=Presidential Executive Order Regarding the Omnibus Report on Significant Trade Deficits |work=whitehouse.gov |date=March 31, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402165607/https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/03/31/presidential-executive-order-regarding-omnibus-report-significant-trade |access-date=5 October 2023 |archive-date=2017-04-02 }}{{cite web |url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-executive-order-establishing-enhanced-collection-enforcement-antidumping-countervailing-duties-violations-trade-customs-laws/ |title=Presidential Executive Order on Establishing Enhanced Collection and Enforcement of Antidumping and Countervailing Duties and Violations of Trade and Customs Laws |work=whitehouse.gov |date=March 31, 2016 |access-date=5 October 2023 }}]]

Navarro and the international private equity investor Wilbur Ross authored a short economic endorsement plan for the Donald Trump presidential campaign in September 2016 which was published without academic references and criticized in the press.{{Cite web|url=https://www.donaldjtrump.com/press-releases/white-paper-on-djt-econ-plan |title=Show Your Support for Donald Trump |website=donaldjtrump.com |access-date=March 7, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308045918/https://www.donaldjtrump.com/press-releases/white-paper-on-djt-econ-plan |archive-date=March 8, 2017}} Navarro was invited to be an adviser after Jared Kushner saw on Amazon that he co-wrote Death by China, while he was researching China for Trump.{{cite web |last1=Vladimirov |first1=Nikita |title=Report: Kushner found Trump advisor Navarro by browsing Amazon |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/328969-report-kushner-found-trump-economic-advisor-navarro-by-browsing/ |website=The Hill |access-date=April 18, 2017 |language=en |date=April 15, 2017}} and told when the Tax Policy Center assessed that Trump's economic plan would reduce federal revenues by $6 trillion and reduce economic growth in the long term, Navarro said that the analysis demonstrated "a high degree of analytical and political malfeasance".{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/10/24/trumps-advisers-see-another-conspiracy-far-from-the-campaign-trail/ |title=Trump's advisers see another conspiracy—far from the campaign trail|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=March 7, 2017|quote=The researchers in question said there is no plot against the Trump team, just errors of analysis by Navarro and Ross{{nbsp}}... "There's no conspiracy," said Marcus Noland, executive vice president and director of studies at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, the think tank Navarro dubbed Vader-esque. "There is a complete misunderstanding of international trade, on their part."}} When the Peterson Institute for International Affairs estimated that Trump's economic plan would cost millions of Americans their jobs, Navarro said that writers at the Peterson Institute "weave a false narrative and they come up with some phony numbers."{{Cite news|url=https://morningconsult.com/2016/09/19/trump-adviser-bullish-wake-tax-trade-critiques/|title=Trump Adviser Bullish in Wake of Tax, Trade Critiques|last=Rainey|first=Ryan|date=September 19, 2016|website=Morning Consult|access-date=March 7, 2017}} According to MIT economist Simon Johnson, the economic plan essay authored by Navarro and Wilbur Ross for Donald Trump during the campaign had projections "based on assumptions so unrealistic that they seem to have come from a different planet. If the United States really did adopt Trump's plan, the result would be an immediate and unmitigated disaster."{{Cite news|url=https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/trump-insane-economic-plan-by-simon-johnson-2016-09?barrier=accessreg|title=Trump's Magical Economic Thinking|last=Johnson|first=Simon|date=September 30, 2016|work=Project Syndicate|access-date=March 7, 2017|language=en}} When 370 economists, including nineteen Nobel laureates, signed a letter warning against Donald Trump's stated economic policies in November 2016, Navarro said that the letter was "an embarrassment to the corporate offshoring wing of the economist profession who continues to insist bad trade deals are good for America."{{Cite news |date=2 November 2016 |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/hundreds-of-prominent-us-economists-warn-against-voting-trump/|title=Hundreds of US economists warn against voting Trump |work=The Times of Israel |access-date=March 7, 2017 |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |agency=Bloomberg |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/2042326/top-economists-pen-anti-trump-letter-claim-he-misled |title=Top economists pen anti-Trump letter, claim he 'misled the electorate' and promotes conspiracies |date=2 November 2016 |work=South China Morning Post |access-date=March 7, 2017 |language=en}}

In October 2016, with Wilbur Ross and Andy Puzder, Navarro coauthored the essay "Economic Analysis of Donald Trump's Contract with the American Voter".{{Cite web|first1=Wilbur|last1=Ross|author-link1=Wilbur Ross|first2=Andy|last2=Puzder|author-link2=Andy Puzder|first3=Peter|last3=Navarro|author-link3=Peter Navarro|url=http://www.publicnow.com/view/26F924AB8FA783A28FEA3EE8943635B4F0574556?2016-10-31-14:32:09+00:00-xxx4035|title=ICYMI: Economic Analysis of Donald Trump's Contract with the American Voter|publisher=Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.|date=October 30, 2016|access-date=October 26, 2017|archive-date=October 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022033043/http://www.publicnow.com/view/26F924AB8FA783A28FEA3EE8943635B4F0574556?2016-10-31-14:32:09+00:00-xxx4035|url-status=dead}} On December 21, 2016, Navarro was selected by President-elect Donald Trump to head a newly created position, as director of the White House National Trade Council.{{cite news|title='Death by China' author to lead Trump trade office|url=https://www.ft.com/content/71a201d2-c7b3-11e6-8f29-9445cac8966f|newspaper=Financial Times|date=December 21, 2016 |access-date=January 19, 2017}} He endorsed President Trump's trade policy as aiming to create jobs, revive the manufacturing sector, and improve the country's trade balance. He warned that trade deficits could jeopardize U.S. national security by allowing unfriendly nations to encroach on American supply chains. One of his main missions is to focus on behaviors by other countries that he considers abusive, cheating, illegal, and unfair against the U.S.{{cite web |url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4659659/peter-navarro-outlines-trump-administration-trade-policy-priorities |title=Peter Navarro Outlines Trump Administration Trade Policy Priorities |work=C-SPAN |date=June 3, 2017 |access-date=5 October 2023 }}{{cite news |url=https://morningconsult.com/briefs/finance-brief-navarro-says-trade-deficit-endangers-national-security/ |url-status=dead |title=Navarro Says Trade Deficit Endangers National Security |work=Morning Consult |date=July 3, 2017 |access-date=5 October 2023 |first=Tara |last=Jeffries |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314202823/https://morningconsult.com/briefs/finance-brief-navarro-says-trade-deficit-endangers-national-security/ |archive-date=2017-03-14 }}{{cite interview |first=Peter |last=Navarro |interviewer=David Westin |access-date=5 October 2023 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/videos/2017-03-31/navarro-says-not-all-trade-deficits-necessarily-bad-video |url-status=dead |title=Peter Navarro Says Trade Deficits Aren't Always Bad |work=Bloomberg |date=March 31, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170412143143/https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/videos/2017-03-31/navarro-says-not-all-trade-deficits-necessarily-bad-video |archive-date=2017-04-12 }}

File:Trump Text Logo.png

The campaign drew heavily on Trump's personal image, enhanced by his previous media exposure. Prior to his presidential bid, The Trump Organization also relied on the 'Trump' surname as a key part of its marketing strategy. Consequently, the 'Trump' name was in widespread use in the U.S. well before the presidential campaign itself started. Due to successful branding and media coverage, Trump soon gained a leverage in the race despite spending comparatively little on advertising himself.{{Cite web |url=http://fortune.com/2016/04/28/donald-trump-branding-power/ |title=Explaining Donald Trump's Massive Branding Power |first=Geoff |last=Colvin |date=April 28, 2016 |language=en-US|access-date=July 16, 2016 |work=Fortune}}{{cite web |last1=Schroeder |first1=Robert |title=Trump has gotten nearly $3 billion in 'free' advertising |url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/trump-has-gotten-nearly-3-billion-in-free-advertising-2016-05-06 |publisher=MarketWatch |access-date=July 17, 2016 |date=May 6, 2016 |quote=Donald Trump has gotten the equivalent of nearly $3 billion in free advertising since last May, according to the latest statistics from the firm mediaQuant, blowing away rivals in both parties.}}

File:Trump Pence 2016.png|date=July 17, 2016}}]]

Before the announcement of Mike Pence as running mate in July 2016, the campaign relied on a wordmark of the 'Trump' surname capitalised and set in the bold Akzidenz-Grotesk typeface. Following the announcement, the campaign unveiled a new logo combining the names of the two candidates by featuring an interlocking 'T' and 'P', formed to create the image of the American flag. The logo became the subject of parodies that interpreted the symbol as being sexually suggestive; the campaign revised the logo shortly afterward to remove the flag and interlocking symbol, leaving the wordmark.{{cite magazine |title=The Ins and Outs of the New Trump-Pence Logo |url=https://www.wired.com/2016/07/ins-outs-new-trump-pence-logo/ |magazine=Wired |access-date=July 31, 2016}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/twitter-users-stick-it-to-trump-over-new-campaign-logo/ |title=Twitter users stick it to Trump over new campaign logo |website=CNET|access-date=July 16, 2016}}

File:Make America Great Again hat (27149010964).jpg slogan worn by a Trump supporter]]

The primary slogan of the Trump campaign, extensively used on campaign merchandise, is Make America Great Again. The red baseball cap with the slogan emblazoned on the front became a symbol of the campaign, and is frequently donned by Trump and his supporters.{{cite web |last1=Mai-Duc |first1=Christine |title=Inside the Southern California factory that makes the Donald Trump hats |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-trump-hats-cali-fame-carson-20151124-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=July 17, 2016 |date=November 12, 2015}} The hats were so important to the campaign that it spent more money to make them than on polling, consultants, or television advertisements.{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/how-donald-trump-came-up-with-make-america-great-again/2017/01/17/fb6acf5e-dbf7-11e6-ad42-f3375f271c9c_story.html |title=How Donald Trump came up with 'Make America Great Again' |last=Tumulty |first=Karen |date=January 18, 2017 |newspaper=The Washington Post |author-link=Karen Tumulty}}

In addition, UK big data voter opinion influencer Cambridge Analytics was hired by the Trump campaign in 2016.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/2016-election-day/trump-campaign-pays-millions-overseas-big-data-firm-n677321 |title=Trump's campaign is paying an overseas big data firm millions of dollars |newspaper=NBC News|access-date=December 1, 2016}} In March 2018, it was revealed through undercover footage that Cambridge Analytica used seductive women to entice a rival candidate while secretly videotaping the encounter. The firm also sent impostors who acted like wealthy individuals only to give them bribes.{{cite news|title=Cambridge Analytica, Trump-Tied Political Firm, Offered to Entrap Politicians|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/19/us/cambridge-analytica-alexander-nix.html|last=Rosenberg|first=Matthew|work=The New York Times|date=March 17, 2018}}

In October 2016, the Trump campaign had 178 field offices compared to Clinton's 489.{{Cite news |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/trump-clinton-field-offices/ |title=Where Clinton Is Setting Up Field Offices—And Where Trump Isn't |last=Darr |first=Joshua |date=October 7, 2016 |newspaper=FiveThirtyEight|language=en-US|access-date=October 7, 2016}} The Trump campaign's number of field offices lagged far behind those Romney and Obama in 2012. Political science research showed that field offices had a modest positive effect on a candidate's vote share.{{Cite web |url=https://www.vox.com/mischiefs-of-faction/2016/10/5/13174624/trump-field-offices |title=Clinton has vastly more campaign offices than Trump. How much of an advantage is this? |last=Masket |first=Seth |date=October 5, 2016|access-date=October 6, 2016}} The Trump campaign was reportedly almost fully reliant on the Republican National Committee for field offices in swing states. As the field offices are organized by state and local Republican parties, they may not have been strategically located in terms of boosting turnout for the Republican presidential candidate.

During the 2016 campaign, Trump reportedly programmed his own campaign rally playlists.{{cite magazine |last=Browne |first=David |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/complete-guide-to-the-2016-candidates-favorite-music-20160201 |title=Complete Guide to the 2016 Candidates' Favorite Music |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=February 1, 2016 |access-date=July 25, 2017 }} Trump's musical preferences have been well-documented in several of his books. In his book Think Like a Billionaire he states that he returns to favorites like Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, while also appreciating a more diverse catalogue including rap artist Eminem and reggae group Toots and The Maytals.{{cite news |last=Lynch |first=John |title=Donald Trump's surprising list of favorite movies, TV shows, and music |work=Business Insider |date=August 17, 2016 |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trumps-favorite-pop-culture-movies-tv-books-music-2016-8#film-citizen-kane-1 |access-date=July 25, 2017 }} The campaign playlist was as diverse, and included the Rolling Stones' "You Can't Always Get What You Want," Queen's "We Are the Champions," the Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun" and Luciano Pavarotti's "Nessun Dorma".{{cite news |last=Kasper |first=Eric |title=How music fits Trump's campaign message |work=CNN |date=July 28, 2016 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/07/28/opinions/trump-campaign-music/index.html |access-date=July 26, 2017 }} The Trump campaign's "warm-up music"—a track played before rallies began with the intention of energizing the crowd—regularly included:{{cite news |last=Tani |first=Maxwell |title=The songs that Donald Trump rallies blast to pump up supporters |work=Business Insider |date=January 9, 2016 |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-rally-songs-2015-12 |access-date=July 26, 2017 }}

{{bulleted list

|"Rocket Man" by Elton John

|"Hey Jude" by The Beatles

|"Skyfall" and "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele

|"The Music of the Night" from Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera

|"Memory" from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats

|"Nessun Dorma" by Pavarotti

|"Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey

|"It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" by R.E.M.

|"Rocking in the Free World" by Neil Young}}

The Trump campaign was publicly criticized for unauthorized use of music by several artists including the Rolling Stones, R.E.M.'s frontman Michael Stipe, Queen's music publisher, and George Harrison's estate, whose music was played at campaign rallies.Diebel, Matthew. Trump's campaign music: Brits 12, Yanks 3. USA Today. July 19, 2016. Web. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2016/07/19/bloody-heck-trumps-campaign-music-mostly-imported/87284384/ Retrieved July 26, 2017.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/r-e-m-to-trump-other-pols-go-f--k-yourselves-for-using-our-music-20150909|title=R.E.M. to Pols: 'Go F--k Yourselves' for Using Our Music|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=September 10, 2015}}

Trump spent only a modest amount on advertising during the primary—$10 million through February 2016, far behind opponents such as Jeb Bush ($82 million), Marco Rubio ($55 million), and Ted Cruz ($22 million).{{cite news |first1=Nicholas |last1=Confessore |first2=Karen |last2=Yourish |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/16/upshot/measuring-donald-trumps-mammoth-advantage-in-free-media.html |title=Measuring Donald Trump's Mammoth Advantage in Free Media |newspaper=The New York Times |date=March 16, 2016 |access-date=10 January 2024 }} Trump benefited from free media more than any other candidate. From the beginning of his campaign through February 2016, Trump received almost $2 billion in free media attention, twice the amount that Hillary Clinton received. Trump earned $400 million alone in the month of February. According to data from the Tyndall Report, which tracks nightly news content, through February 2016, Trump alone accounted for more than a quarter of all 2016 election coverage on the evening newscasts of NBC, CBS and ABC, more than all the Democratic campaigns combined.{{cite web |title=How much does Donald Trump dominate TV news coverage? This much |date=December 6, 2015 |url=https://money.cnn.com/2015/12/06/media/donald-trump-nightly-news-coverage/ |work=CNN|access-date=February 17, 2016}}{{cite web |last1=Tyndall |first1=Andrew |title=COMMENTS: Campaign 2016 Coverage: Annual Totals for 2015 |url=http://tyndallreport.com/comment/20/5773/ |access-date=February 17, 2016}}{{cite news |last1=Byers |first1=Dylan |title=Donald Trump: Media King, 2015 |url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/28/politics/trump-media-king/ |work=CNN|access-date=February 17, 2016}} Observers noted Trump's ability to garner constant mainstream media coverage "almost at will".{{cite magazine |last1=Walsh |first1=Kenneth |title=How Donald Trump's Media Dominance Is Changing the 2016 Campaign |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/the-report/articles/2015/12/31/how-donald-trumps-media-dominance-is-changing-the-2016-campaign |magazine=U.S. News & World Report |access-date=February 17, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225000859/http://www.usnews.com/news/the-report/articles/2015/12/31/how-donald-trumps-media-dominance-is-changing-the-2016-campaign |archive-date=February 25, 2016 }}

In response, a petition to "Stop promoting Donald Trump" accused the media of giving Trump endless airtime for the purpose of increasing viewership and ratings and quickly amassed over 200,000 signatures.{{cite news |last1=Grove |first1=Lloyd |title=The Petitions to Get Trump Off TV |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/12/17/the-petitions-to-get-trump-off-tv.html |work=The Daily Beast |date=December 17, 2015 |access-date=February 17, 2016}} The media's coverage of Trump generated some disagreement as to its effect on his campaign.{{cite magazine |last1=Uberti |first1=David |title=The media's Trump conundrum |url=https://www.cjr.org/analysis/the_medias_trump_conundrum.php |magazine=Columbia Journalism Review |access-date=February 17, 2016}} Writing in The Washington Post, John M. Sides argued that Trump's success was because of the mass news coverage,{{cite news|author1-link=John M. Sides |last1=Sides |first1=John |title=Why is Trump surging? Blame the media. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/monkey-cage/wp/2015/07/20/why-is-trump-surging-blame-the-media/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=February 17, 2016}} yet a later article in The Washington Post stated that he remained successful in spite of the drop in media attention.{{cite news |title=Donald Trump has nothing left to gain from media coverage |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/01/15/donald-trump-has-nothing-left-to-gain-from-media-coverage/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=February 17, 2016}} On September 21, 2015, Politico said, "blaming the press for the Trump surge neglects the salient fact that so much of the coverage of him has been darkly negative."{{cite web |last1=Shafer |first1=Jack |title=Trump Isn't a Media Creation |url=http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/09/trump-media-coverage-213170 |work=Politico|date=September 21, 2015 |access-date=February 17, 2016}} However, Barry Bennett—senior adviser to Trump—said in response to the high number of interviews Trump has given:

Well the demand is pretty high so it's hard not to do them. And it's free media. And we've literally gotten hundreds of millions of dollars worth of free media. No other candidate can talk when everybody is talking about you. So there's some strategic benefit to it.{{cite news |last1=Carlson |first1=Gretchen |last2=Bennett |first2=Barry |title=On Fox, Trump's Senior Adviser Brags About The "Hundreds Of Millions Of Dollars Worth Of Free Media" Trump Has Received |url=http://mediamatters.org/video/2016/04/04/on-fox-trumps-senior-adviser-brags-about-the-hu/209735 |access-date=April 5, 2016 |department=The Real Story |work=Fox News |via=Media Matters for America |date=April 4, 2016}}

File:Donald Trump by Gage Skidmore 6.jpg

In a January 2016 interview with CBS, Trump said of his campaign's plans to purchase advertising; "I think I'm probably wasting the money. But I'm $35 million under budget. Look, I was going to have 35 or 40 million spent by now. I haven't spent anything. I almost feel guilty{{nbsp}}... I'm leading by, as you all say, a lot. You can take the CBS poll. You can take any poll and I'm winning by a lot. I don't think I need the ads. But I'm doing them. I almost feel guilty."{{cite web |title=The unabridged version of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's January 3, 2016 interview with "Face the Nation". |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/videos/extended-interview-donald-trump-January-3/ |publisher=CBSN |access-date=February 17, 2016}}{{cite news |title=Donald Trump adds paid-for TV ads to freewheeling campaign |url=https://www.ft.com/content/b75db4b2-b3ac-11e5-aad2-3e9865bc6644 |work=Financial Times |date=January 5, 2016 |access-date=February 17, 2016}}{{cite web |last1=Heilpern |first1=Will |title=Cable news played Donald Trump's ad 60 times in one day |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/news-play-trumps-ad-60-times-in-one-day-2016-1 |website=Business Insider |access-date=February 17, 2016}}

In February 2016, in response to complaints from Trump that Fox News reporter Megyn Kelly would be unfair to him in a Republican primary debate preceding the Iowa caucuses, Fox released a sarcastic statement about Trump, saying they were "surprised he's willing to show that much fear", regarding Kelly.{{cite web |last1=Campbell |first1=Colin |title=Fox News issues incredible response to Donald Trump's Twitter poll about going to the Fox debate |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/fox-news-donald-trump-debate-megyn-kelly-twitter-2016-1 |website=Business Insider |access-date=February 17, 2016 |quote=Sooner or later Donald Trump, even if he's president, is going to have to learn that he doesn't get to pick the journalists—we're very surprised he's willing to show that much fear about being questioned by Megyn Kelly.}} Trump responded by criticizing the "wise-guy press release" and withdrew from the debate, instead hosting a competing event in the state designed to raise money for wounded veterans on the day of the debate.{{cite news |title=Trump says he won't participate in GOP debate on Fox News |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-says-he-wont-participate-in-gop-debate-on-fox-news/2016/01/26/58fa0b2e-c490-11e5-a4aa-f25866ba0dc6_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=February 17, 2016}}{{cite magazine |last1=Nguyen |first1=Tina |title=Donald Trump Drops Out of Fox News Debate Because Megyn Kelly Is Moderating |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/01/donald-trump-megyn-kelly-fox-debate |magazine=Vanity Fair |access-date=February 17, 2016}} In a November 2019 court settlement, Trump was ordered to pay a $2 million (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=2000000|start_year=2019}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) fine for misusing his Trump Foundation for political and business purposes. In the settlement, Trump acknowledged that the veterans fundraiser had actually been a campaign event and the $2.8 million in raised funds were placed under the full control of his campaign.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/07/nyregion/trump-charities-new-york.html|title=Trump Ordered to Pay $2 Million to Charities for Misuse of Foundation|first=Alan|last=Feuer|newspaper=The New York Times|date=November 7, 2019}}

Trump frequently criticized the media for writing what he alleged to be false stories about him and referred to them as being the "worst people"{{cite web |title=43 Times Donald Trump Has Attacked The Media As A Presidential Candidate |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-has-attacked-the-media-many-many-times_us_56059e0de4b0af3706dc3cce |work=HuffPost |date=September 28, 2015 |access-date=February 17, 2016}} and he has called upon his supporters to be "the silent majority", apparently referencing the media. At a rally in Fort Worth, Texas, in February 2016, Trump stated that if elected he would "open up our libel laws so when they write purposely negative and horrible and false articles, we can sue them and win lots of money". Trump specifically alleged that reporting about him by The New York Times and The Washington Post has included falsehoods.{{Cite web |url=https://money.cnn.com/2016/02/26/media/donald-trump-libel-laws/index.html |title=Donald Trump wants to 'open up' libel laws so he can sue press |last=Byers |first=Dylan |website=CNNMoney|date=February 26, 2016 | access-date = February 27, 2016}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2016/02/26/donald-trump-says-hell-open-up-libel-laws/ |title=Donald Trump says he'll 'open up libel laws' |last=Volokh |first=Eugene |date=February 26, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286| access-date = February 27, 2016}} Trump says the media "put false meaning into the words I say", and says he does not mind being criticized by the media as long as they are honest about it.Walsh, Kenneth. [https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-08-15/trump-media-is-dishonest-and-corrupt "Trump: Media Is 'Dishonest and Corrupt'"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916083614/http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-08-15/trump-media-is-dishonest-and-corrupt |date=September 16, 2016 }}, U.S. News & World Report (August 15, 2016).Koppel, Ted. [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-i-feel-im-an-honest-person/ "Trump: 'I feel I'm an honest person'"], CBS News (July 24, 2016).

After Trump won the nomination, historians Fredrik Logevall and Kenneth Osgood noted that, "Hardly a day passes without some columnist comparing Donald J. Trump to Huey Long, Father Coughlin or George Wallace."Fredrik Logevall and Kenneth Osgood, "Why Did We Stop Teaching Political History?" [https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/29/opinion/why-did-we-stop-teaching-political-history.html The New York Times Aug. 29, 2016]

A 2018 study found that media coverage of Trump led to increased public support for him during the primaries. The study showed Trump received nearly $2 billion in free media, more than double any other candidate. Political scientist John Sides argued that Trump's polling surge was "almost certainly" due to frequent media coverage of his campaign. Sides concluded "Trump is surging in the polls because the news media has consistently focused on him since he announced his candidacy on June 16".{{Cite journal|last1=Reuning|first1=Kevin|last2=Dietrich|first2=Nick|date=2018|title=Media Coverage, Public Interest, and Support in the 2016 Republican Invisible Primary|journal=Perspectives on Politics|language=en|volume=17|issue=2|pages=326–339|doi=10.1017/S1537592718003274|issn=1537-5927|doi-access=free}}

{{very long|section|date=October 2016}}

It appeared Trump was receiving little support from African Americans: in a poll in August 2016, only 5% of black voters said they intended to vote for him.{{cite news |url=https://morningconsult.com/2016/08/28/trump-gains-ground-clinton-black-voters-still-wary/ |title=Trump Gains Ground on Clinton; Black Voters Still Wary |last=Johnson |first=Fawn |date=August 28, 2016 |work=Morning Consult |access-date=September 16, 2016}} Trump ended up receiving 8% of the African-American vote (about half a million more than Mitt Romney in 2012).{{cite web |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/earl-ofari-hutchinson/why-so-many-blacks-backed_b_12913720.html |title=Why So Many Blacks Backed Trump |last=Hutchinson |first=Earl |date=November 14, 2016 |work=HuffPost |access-date=November 16, 2016}} Starting in July and August, in an effort to improve his appeal to black Americans, Trump was vocal in expressing concern for their situations. Speaking in Virginia in August, 2016, Trump said, "You're living in your poverty, your schools are no good, you have no jobs, 58 percent of your youth is unemployed—what the hell do you have to lose by trying something new, like Trump?....Look. It is a disaster the way African-Americans are living{{nbsp}}... We'll get rid of the crime{{nbsp}}... You'll be able to walk down the street without getting shot."{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-courts-black-vote-while-avoiding-african-american-communities-1471944606 |title=Donald Trump Courts Black Vote While Avoiding African-American Communities |last=Epstein |first=Reid |date=August 24, 2016 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=September 10, 2016}} He accused Clinton of racism and bigotry.{{Cite web |date=2016-08-26 |title=What You Need To Know About The Alt-Right Movement |url=https://www.npr.org/2016/08/26/491452721/the-history-of-the-alt-right |website=NPR}}

On September 3, Trump visited a black congregation in Detroit, Michigan, accompanied by former Republican presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson. Trump was interviewed afterward by Bishop Wayne T. Jackson for the church's cable channel.{{cite web |last1=Gray |first1=Kathleen |title=What Trump said in Detroit church TV interview |url=http://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2016/09/14/trump-black-church-tv-interview-ll-heal-bringings-us-together/90384956/ |website=Detroit Free Press |access-date=September 16, 2016}} On September 15, as Trump was addressing an assembly at Bethel United Methodist Church in Flint, Michigan, the pastor, Faith Green Timmons, interrupted him as he criticized Clinton, asking him not to "give a political speech". Trump complied.{{cite web |last1=Diamond |first1=Jeremy |title=Pastor interrupts Trump to stop him from attacking Clinton in church |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/14/politics/donald-trump-pastor-flint-michigan/ |date=September 14, 2016 |work=CNN|access-date=September 16, 2016}}

{{See also|2016 Republican National Convention #Attendance and officials skipping convention}}

No Fortune 100 CEO donated to Trump's presidential campaign. Eleven donated to Trump's rival Clinton, and 89 contributed to neither. This represented a shift from 2012 when Republican nominee Mitt Romney received major support from American business executives.Rebecca Ballhaus & Brody Mullins, [https://www.wsj.com/articles/no-fortune-100-ceos-back-republican-donald-trump-1474671842 No Fortune 100 CEOs Back Republican Donald Trump], The Wall Street Journal (September 23, 2016).Madeline Farber, [http://fortune.com/2016/09/24/fortune-100-companies-donald-trump/ No CEOs at Fortune 100 Companies Are Backing Donald Trump], Fortune (September 24, 2016).

In May 2016, the president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce commented that the business community was cautious about Trump and Clinton.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/05/13/u-s-chamber-of-commerce-on-trump-who-is-this-guy-how-will-he-behave/ |title=U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Trump: 'Who is this guy? How will he behave?' |last=Nakamura |first=David |date=May 13, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=June 27, 2016}} Members of the community who endorsed Trump include investors T. Boone Pickens, Carl Icahn and Wilbur Ross, Home Depot co-founder Ken Langone, and entrepreneur and PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel.{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/06/23/netflix-ceo-says-trump-would-destroy-much-of-what-is-great-about-america.html |title=Netflix CEO says 'Trump would destroy much of what is great about America' |author=Christine Wang |date=June 23, 2016 |work=CNBC}}{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/11/politics/t-boone-pickens-donald-trump/index.html |title=Donald Trump nabs billionaire GOP backer T. Boone Pickens |author=Phil Mattingly |date=May 11, 2016 |work=CNN}}{{cite web |url=http://fortune.com/2016/05/10/peter-thiel-trump-delegate/ |title=Silicon Valley Titan Peter Thiel Is Backing Donald Trump |author=Lucinda Shen |date=May 10, 2016 |work=Fortune}} {{as of|2016|January}}, small and mid-size business owners and officers were second to retirees as the most common donors to Trump's campaign. Reasons cited for their support of Trump included opposition to Obamacare, immigration and feeling "fed up with politicians".{{cite web |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-small-business_us_56ce2669e4b03260bf7561ce |title=Why Small Business Owners Are Backing Donald Trump |author=John Dunbar |date=February 25, 2016 |work=Huffington Post}} In a survey conducted in late January 2016, 38 percent of small business owners indicated that they believed Trump would be the best president for small business, while 21 percent selected Hillary Clinton.{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/02/29/main-street-speaks-out-top-candidate-for-small-biz.html |title=Main St. speaks out: Our top pick for president |author=Elaine Pofeldt |date=March 15, 2016 |work=CNBC}}

Other members of the business community were critical. In June 2016, the Clinton campaign released a list of endorsements from 50 current and former business leaders, including longtime Republicans.{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/some-gop-business-leaders-are-backing-clinton-1466654976 |title=Several GOP Business Leaders Are Backing Clinton |last=Meckler |first=Laura |date=June 23, 2016 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=June 27, 2016}} The group included longtime Democrats and Clinton supporters, like Warren Buffett and Marc Benioff, as well as independents or Republicans who had switched sides, like Daniel Akerson and Hamid R. Moghadam.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/06/23/current-and-former-business-leaders-endorse-clinton-call-trump-unqualified/ |title=Current and former business leaders endorse Clinton, call Trump unqualified |author=Anne Gearan |date=June 23, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}

File:Donald Trump by Gage Skidmore 12.jpg

Trump's right-wing populist positions—nativist, protectionist, and semi-isolationist—differ in many ways from traditional conservatism. He opposes many free trade deals and military interventionist policies that conservatives generally support, and opposes cuts in Medicare and Social Security benefits. While insisting that Washington is "broken" and can only be fixed by an outsider,{{cite news |author1=Nicholas Confessore |title=How the G.O.P. Elite Lost Its Voters to Donald Trump |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/28/us/politics/donald-trump-republican-voters.html |access-date=March 28, 2016 |work=The New York Times |date=March 28, 2016 |quote=While wages declined and workers grew anxious about retirement, Republicans offered an economic program still centered on tax cuts for the affluent and the curtailing of popular entitlements like Medicare and Social Security.}}{{cite news |author1=Greg Sargent |title=This one anecdote perfectly explains how Donald Trump is hijacking the GOP |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2016/03/28/this-one-anecdote-perfectly-explains-how-donald-trump-is-hijacking-the-gop/ |access-date=March 29, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 28, 2016}} Washington-based conservatives were surprised by the popular support for his positions.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/john-cassidy/donald-trump-is-transforming-the-g-o-p-into-a-populist-nativist-party |title=Donald Trump Is Transforming the G.O.P. Into a Populist, Nativist Party |last=Cassidy |first=John |magazine=The New Yorker |date=February 29, 2016 |access-date=March 5, 2016 |quote=What is perhaps more surprising, at least to Washington-based conservatives, is how many Republicans are also embracing Trump's populist lines on ending free trade, protecting Social Security, and providing basic health care.}}

Trump polled well with Tea Party voters, and politicians with tea party ties, such as Sarah Palin, similarly endorsed Trump.{{cite web |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/293884-michele-bachmann-god-picked-trump-to-be-the-gop-nominee/ |title=Michele Bachmann: God picked Trump to be the GOP nominee |access-date=October 20, 2016 |work=The Hill |first=Nikita |last=Vladimirov |date=August 30, 2016}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/20/us/politics/donald-trump-sarah-palin.html |title=Sarah Palin Endorses Donald Trump, Which Could Bolster Him in Iowa |access-date=October 20, 2016 |work=The New York Times |first=Alan |last=Rappeport |date=January 19, 2016}}

Some prominent conservatives praised Trump. Newt Gingrich described him as the latest incarnation of the Reagan Revolution, and said his election would be "very healthy for America".{{cite news |author1=Thomas B. Edsall |title=The Republican Crackup |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/23/opinion/campaign-stops/the-republican-crackup.html |access-date=March 27, 2016 |work=The New York Times |date=March 23, 2016}} In the aftermath of Trump's statements regarding the Khan's, Gingrich said Trump was making himself a less acceptable candidate for the presidency than Clinton, but that "Trump is vastly better than Hillary as President".{{cite news |last=Kornbluh| first=Jacob |author-link=Jacob Kornbluh |url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/election2016/article/gingrich_trump_has_become_unacceptable_choice_for_potus |title=Gingrich: Trump has become 'unacceptable' choice for POTUS |work=Jewish Journal |date=August 3, 2016 |access-date=August 4, 2016}}{{cite news |author=Collins, Eliza |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2016/08/03/gingrich-trump-has-been-very-self-destructive/87996040/ |title=Gingrich: Trump has been 'very self-destructive' |work=USA Today |date=August 3, 2016 |access-date=August 5, 2016}} Rush Limbaugh, while clearly favoring Ted Cruz, relished the degree to which Trump exposed the conservative establishment as an elitist self-interested clique.{{cite news |author1=Michael Gerson |author-link1=Michael Gerson |title=Rush Limbaugh's blessing of Trump is killing conservatism |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/rush-limbaughs-defense-of-trump-is-killing-conservatism/2016/03/28/9f0c2b16-f522-11e5-8b23-538270a1ca31_story.html |access-date=March 29, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 28, 2016 |quote=...{{nbsp}}Limbaugh has also consistently defended Trump as a legitimate choice for those whose dominating factor is the humiliation of "the establishment.}}{{cite news |last1=Limbaugh |first1=Rush |title=Republicans Would Rather Lose Than See Conservatism Dominate the Party |url=http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2016/01/13/republicans_would_rather_lose_than_see_conservatism_dominate_the_party |newspaper=The Rush Limbaugh Show |access-date=March 29, 2016 |format=transcript |date=January 13, 2016 |quote=cliquish, elitist club}} Sean Hannity was an unapologetic advocate for Trump and endorsed him.{{cite news |url=https://money.cnn.com/2016/05/02/media/sean-hannity-donald-trump-profile/ |title=Sean Hannity embraces Donald Trump, without apology |last=Byers |first=Dylan |date=May 2, 2016 |work=CNNMoney |access-date=July 1, 2016}}{{cite news |url=http://mediamatters.org/blog/2016/05/05/sean-hannity-endorses-trump-lashes-out-paul-ryan-sabotage/210265 |title=Sean Hannity Endorses Trump, Lashes Out At Paul Ryan For "Sabotage" |last=Karat |first=Brendan |date=May 5, 2016 |work=Media Matters |access-date=July 1, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160627152921/http://mediamatters.org/blog/2016/05/05/sean-hannity-endorses-trump-lashes-out-paul-ryan-sabotage/210265 |archive-date=June 27, 2016 }}

In July and August 2015, U.S. Senator John McCain and Trump criticized each other, primarily over immigration.Brian Powers (July 19, 2015). [http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2015/07/19/trump-politicians-like-mccain-totally-failed/30381801/ Trump: Politicians like McCain 'have totally failed']. Des Moines Register. At a July 18, 2015, event Trump described McCain as a "loser" and added, "He's not a war hero. He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren't captured."{{cite news |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/trump-attacks-mccain-i-like-people-who-werent-captured-120317 |title=Trump attacks McCain: 'I like people who weren't captured' |last=Schreckinger |first=Ben |date=July 18, 2016 |work=Politico|access-date=August 10, 2016}}{{cite news |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/cde31d2fa3a244d29de77b31a59b799a/gop-candidate-trump-goes-after-sen-john-mccains-war-record |title=Trump on John McCain: 'I like people who weren't captured' |date=July 18, 2015 |agency=Associated Press |author1=Lucey, Catherine |author2=Peoples, Steve |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150719233141/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/cde31d2fa3a244d29de77b31a59b799a/gop-candidate-trump-goes-after-sen-john-mccains-war-record |archive-date=July 19, 2015 }} His comments were criticized; some of his primary rivals said he should withdraw from the race.{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/18/politics/donald-trump-john-mccain-war-hero/ |title=Defiant Trump refuses to apologize to McCain |date=July 20, 2015 |work=CNN |access-date=August 11, 2016}} Trump later denied having said McCain is not a war hero, saying "If somebody's a prisoner, I consider them a war hero." He criticized McCain for not having done enough for veterans. In 2014, McCain worked with senator Bernie Sanders to create the Veterans Choice program, which Trump later claimed more than 150 times he had created.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/04/politics/fact-check-trump-mccain-loser-veterans-choice/index.html|title=Fact check: Trump says he's done more for veterans than John McCain did -- while taking credit for McCain's veterans bill|website=CNN|date=September 4, 2020 }} McCain said Trump should apologize, not to him personally, but to former American prisoners of war and "the families of those who have sacrificed in conflict".{{cite web |url=https://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/watch/mccain--trump-doesnt-owe-me-an-apology-487422019695 |title=McCain: Trump doesn't owe me an apology |date=July 20, 2015 |publisher=MSNBC |access-date=January 30, 2016}}{{cite magazine |url=https://time.com/3964229/donald-trump-john-mccain-war-hero-apology/ |title=John McCain Says Donald Trump Owes Veterans an Apology |date=July 20, 2015 |magazine=Time |author=Sam Frizell |access-date=January 30, 2016}} Trump declined to issue any apology.{{cite web |url=https://gma.yahoo.com/donald-trump-says-does-not-owe-john-mccain-141510116.html |title=Donald Trump Says He Does Not Owe John McCain Apology |date=July 20, 2015 |publisher=Yahoo! |access-date=July 19, 2015 |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305153703/https://gma.yahoo.com/donald-trump-says-does-not-owe-john-mccain-141510116.html |url-status=dead }}

Eventually, McCain endorsed Trump because he was the nominee of the Republican party.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/08/02/how-in-the-world-is-john-mccain-still-supporting-donald-trump-anyway/ |title=How in the world is John McCain still supporting Donald Trump anyway? |last=Blake |first=Aaron |date=August 2, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=August 10, 2016}} On August 2, Trump stated he was not endorsing McCain for the Republican nomination for his Senate seat.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-wont-endorse-paul-ryan-john-mccain-in-primary-races/ |title=Donald Trump won't endorse Paul Ryan, John McCain in primary races |last=Schultheis |first=Emily |date=August 2, 2016 |work=CBS News |access-date=August 10, 2016}} Three days later, however, he did endorse him, saying in prepared remarks, "I hold in the highest esteem Sen. John McCain for his service to our country in uniform and in public office and I fully support and endorse his reelection."{{cite news |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/08/trump-endorses-paul-ryan-226729 |title=Donald Trump endorses Paul Ryan, John McCain |date=August 5, 2016 |work=Politico|access-date=August 11, 2016}} McCain later withdrew his endorsement following the Access Hollywood controversy in October 2016.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/08/us/politics/presidential-election.html |title=John McCain Withdraws Support for Donald Trump After Disclosure of Recording |last=Rappeport |first=Alan |date=October 8, 2016 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=October 10, 2016}}

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a primary rival, was "one of Trump's fiercest critics". He called Trump a "race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot" and asserted that Trump doesn't have the temperament or judgment to be president.{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/22/politics/donald-trump-lindsey-graham-republican-party/ |title=Graham disputes account that he urged Republicans to support Trump |last1=Diamond |first1=Jeremy |date=May 23, 2016 |work=CNN |last2=Barrett |first2=Ted |access-date=July 19, 2016}} After Trump attacked a federal judge for his Mexican heritage, Graham urged people who had endorsed Trump to rescind their endorsements, saying "This is the most un-American thing from a politician since Joe McCarthy."{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lindsey-graham-donald-trump-supporters-should-rescind-their-endorsements/ |title=Lindsey Graham: Donald Trump supporters should rescind their endorsements |last=Shabbad |first=Rebecca |date=June 7, 2016 |work=CBS News |access-date=July 19, 2016}}

The Jeb Bush–Trump dynamic was one of the more contentious relationships among Republicans.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/02/12/the-remarkably-personal-feud-between-donald-trump-and-jeb-bush-in-1-video/ |title=The remarkably personal feud between Donald Trump and Jeb Bush, in 1 video |date=February 12, 2016 |last1=Stevenson |first1=Peter |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=February 14, 2016}}{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2016/02/06/jeb-bush-donald-trump/79922352/ |title=Trump: Jeb Bush 'had to bring in mommy to take a slap at me' |date=February 6, 2016 |last1=Allen |first1=Cooper |work=USA Today |access-date=February 14, 2016}} Bush's campaign spent tens of millions of dollars on anti-Trump ads,{{cite magazine |url=https://time.com/4205547/jeb-bush-ad-donald-trump/ |title=Jeb Bush Attacks Trump Hard in Two-Minute Ad |date=February 2, 2016 |magazine=Time|last1=Scherer |first1=Michael |access-date=February 14, 2016}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/02/12/jeb-bush-supporters-run-brutal-ad-against-donald-trump/ |title=Jeb Bush Supporters Run Brutal Ad Against Donald Trump |date=February 12, 2016 |work=The New York Times |last1=Haberman |first1=Maggie |access-date=February 14, 2016}}{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/with-sc-approaching-the-target-on-trump-grows-larger/2016/02/12/114fd70a-d1b9-11e5-abc9-ea152f0b9561_story.html |title=With S.C. approaching, the target on Trump grows larger |date=February 12, 2016 |last1=DelReal |first1=Jose |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=February 14, 2016}} while Trump mocked Bush as "low energy".{{cite web |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-jeb-bush-low-energy-2015-11 |title=TRUMP: Here's the backstory on my 'low-energy' takedown of Jeb Bush |date=November 19, 2015 |website=Business Insider |last1=LoGiurato |first1=Brett |access-date=February 14, 2016}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/01/us/politics/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-bush-campaign.html |title=The Rise and Fall of the Bush Campaign |date=January 31, 2016 |work=The New York Times |last1=Hunt |first1=Albert |access-date=February 14, 2016}}{{cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-george-w-bush-jeb-bush-south-carolina-20160212-story.html |title=George W. Bush, 'taken aback' by Trump's rise, to stump with Jeb |date=February 12, 2016 |last1=Rucker |first1=Philip |work=Chicago Tribune |access-date=February 14, 2016}} During an exchange with Bush in the ninth Republican primary debate, the audience (most favoring Bush) repeatedly booed Trump.{{cite web |url=https://www.vox.com/2016/2/13/10987776/republican-debate-audience-booing |title=The Republican establishment packed the debate audience with Donald Trump haters |date=February 13, 2016 |publisher=Vox |last1=Lopez |first1=German |access-date=February 14, 2016}}{{cite tweet |number=698699868429295617 |user=GoogleTrends |title=+1,400% spike in searches for "why are people booing?" #GOPDebate |date=February 13, 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://us.blastingnews.com/news/2016/02/donald-trump-shocks-gop-debate-stage-blames-iraq-war-mess-on-george-w-bush-00787079.html |title=Donald Trump Shocks Gop Debate Stage, Blames Iraq War Mess On George W. Bush |date=February 13, 2016 |publisher=blastingnews |last1=Sobel |first1=Robert |access-date=February 14, 2016}}{{cite web |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/02/donald-trump-blames-george-w-bush-911 |title=Donald Trump Blames George W. Bush for 9/11 |date=February 13, 2016 |last1=d'Amora |first1=Delphine |work=Mother Jones |access-date=February 14, 2016}} Trump scoffed that the audience was made up of "Jeb's special interests and lobbyists".{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/14/us/politics/republican-debate.html |title=In Republican Debate, Jeb Bush Attacks Donald Trump |date=February 13, 2016 |work=The New York Times |last1=Healy |first1=Patrick |access-date=February 14, 2016}} According to The Washington Post, the most telling aspect of the Bush–Trump duel may have been that, "No candidate in the race was prepared for GOP voters' opposition to immigration, with the exception of Trump", and the anti-illegal immigration sentiment that Trump tapped into, including with the Act of Love advert.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/02/22/gop-voters-have-roundly-rejected-the-bush-legacy/ |title=Republican voters are rejecting not just Jeb Bush, but the whole Bush legacy |date=February 22, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |last1=Ehrenfreund |first1=Max |access-date=February 24, 2016}}

Texas Senator Ted Cruz was a rival for the Republican nomination. In the early days of the primary Cruz showered praise on Trump. But as the primary season went on, Cruz called Trump a "bully" and a "pathological liar", and Trump took to referring to Cruz as "Lyin' Ted".{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/05/03/ted-cruz-is-mad-as-hell-at-donald-trump-he-should-be-angry-at-himself/ |title=Why the 'Lyin' Ted' attack works so well for Donald Trump |last=Cillizza |first=Chris |date=May 3, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=August 18, 2016}} Trump claimed Cruz was not eligible to be president because he was born in Canada.{{cite news |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/04/donald-trump-ted-cruz-canada-222347 |title=Trump resumes Canada critique of Cruz |last=East |first=Kristen |date=April 23, 2016 |work=Politico|access-date=August 18, 2016}} However, on September 23, 2016, Cruz publicly endorsed Trump for president because he was the nominee of the Republican party.{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/23/politics/ted-cruz-endorses-donald-trump/ |title=Ted Cruz endorses Donald Trump |date=September 23, 2016 |work=CNN|author1=Theodore Schleifer |author2=Gloria Borger |author3=Dana Bash }}

{{Main|Stop Trump movement}}

A concerted effort by some Republicans and other prominent conservatives to prevent Trump from obtaining the Republican Party presidential nomination gained momentum following Trump's wins in the Super Tuesday primaries on March 15, 2016.{{cite web |url=http://www.newsweek.com/stop-trump-doomed-437243 |title=Why the Stop Trump Movement is Doomed |work=Newsweek |date=March 15, 2016 |access-date=March 17, 2016 |author=Cooper, Matthew}}{{cite web |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-stop-trump-movement-got-new-life-in-ohio_us_56e8ad90e4b0b25c9183cf85 |title=The Stop Trump Movement Got New Life In Ohio |work=Huffington Post |date=March 15, 2016 |access-date=March 17, 2016 |author1=Grim, Ryan |author2=Velencia, Janie |name-list-style=amp}}{{cite web |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/Decoder/2016/0317/A-contested-GOP-convention-History-offers-some-unusual-clues-video |title=A contested GOP convention? History offers some unusual clues |newspaper=The Christian Science Monitor |date=March 17, 2016 |access-date=March 17, 2016 |author=Grier, Peter}}

On March 17, 2016, several dozen conservatives met at the Army and Navy Club of Washington DC to discuss preventing Trump from securing the nomination. Among the strategies discussed were a "unity ticket",{{cite web |url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/2016-gop-primary-live-updates-and-results/2016/03/erick-erickson-anti-trump-gop-unity-ticket-220933 |title=Conservatives call for 'unity ticket' to stop Trump |work=Politico|date=March 17, 2016 |access-date=March 17, 2016 |author1=Goldmacher, Shane |author2=Glueck, Katie |author3=McCaskill, Nolan |name-list-style=amp}} a possible third-party candidate and a contested convention, especially if Trump did not gain the 1,237 delegates necessary.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/03/17/gop-operatives-conservative-leaders-meet-to-thwart-trump/ |title=GOP operatives, conservative leaders meet to thwart Trump |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 17, 2016 |access-date=March 17, 2016 |author=Costa, Robert}}

In June 2016, activists Eric O'Keefe and Dane Waters formed a group called Delegates Unbound, attempting to convince delegates to vote for whomever they want.{{cite news |last1=O'Keefe |first1=Eric |last2=Rivkin |first2=David |title=Release the GOP Delegates |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/release-the-gop-delegates-1465769777 |access-date=June 18, 2016 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=June 13, 2016}} By June 19, hundreds of delegates to the Republican National Convention calling themselves Free the Delegates had begun raising funds and recruiting members in support of an effort to change Party convention rules to free delegates to vote however they want—instead of according to the results of state caucuses and primaries.{{cite news |last1=O'Keefe |first1=Ed |title=Anti-Trump delegates raising money for staff and a legal defense fund |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/06/19/anti-trump-delegates-raising-money-for-staff-and-a-legal-defense-fund/ |access-date=June 20, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=June 19, 2016}} However, the convention's Rules Committee voted down, by a vote of 84–21, a move to send a "minority report" to the floor allowing the unbinding of delegates, thereby defeating the "Stop Trump" activists and guaranteeing Trump's nomination. The committee then endorsed the opposite option, voting 87–12 to include rules language specifically stating that delegates were required to vote based on their states' primary and caucus results.{{cite web |author=Scott Detrow |url=https://www.npr.org/2016/07/15/486153506/never-trump-is-nevermore-anti-trump-forces-fail-to-force-rnc-floor-fight |title='Never Trump Is Nevermore': Anti-Trump Forces Fail To Force RNC Floor Fight |website=NPR|date=July 15, 2016 |access-date=July 17, 2016}}

Other conservative commentators were strongly opposed to him. National Review released a January 2016 special issue called "Against Trump", in opposition to Trump's bid for the presidency.{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/21/politics/national-review-magazine-opposes-donald-trump/ |title=National Review, conservative thinkers stand against Trump |work=CNN|last1=Byers |first1=Dylan |access-date=February 17, 2016}}{{cite web |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/01/national-review/426543/ |title=The National Review Takes on Trump |last1=Ford |first1=Matt |work=The Atlantic |date=January 22, 2016 |access-date=February 17, 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://mediamatters.org/research/2016/01/22/national-review-launches-conservative-war-on-do/208111 |title=National Review Launches Conservative War On Donald Trump |date=January 22, 2016 |publisher=Media Matters |access-date=February 17, 2016}} William Kristol, publisher of The Weekly Standard, was highly critical of Trump and carried on a public search for an independent candidate to run against Trump and Clinton in the general election, citing a "patriotic obligation to try and offer the American people a third way".{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/more-bad-news-bill-kristol-s-ongoing-search-donald-trump-n584786 |title=More Bad News: Bill Kristol's ongoing search |work=NBC News}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/06/kristol-is-clear/485180/ |title=Kristol is Clear |date=June 2016 |work=The Atlantic}}

{{Main|Mitt Romney's 2016 anti-Trump speech}}

On February 24, 2016, Romney called on Trump to release his tax returns, suggesting they contain a "bombshell".{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mitt-romney-suggests-theres-a-bombshell-in-donald-trumps-taxes |title=Mitt Romney suggests there's a "bombshell in Donald Trump's taxes |work=CBS News |date=February 24, 2016}}{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-bombshells-might-lurk-in-donald-trumps-tax-returns/ |title=What "bombshells" might lurk in Trump's tax returns? |work=CBS News |date=February 26, 2016}} On March 3, Romney expanded his criticism in a widely reported speech in which he said Trump's economic plans would cause profound recession, criticized his foreign policy proposals as reckless and dangerous, and called him a "con man", a "fake", and a "phony", joking that Trump's promises are "as worthless as a degree from Trump University".{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/04/us/politics/mitt-romney-speech.html |title=Transcript of Mitt Romney's Speech on Donald Trump |date=March 3, 2016 |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 19, 2016}}{{cite news |last1=O'Keefe |first1=Ed |title=Mitt Romney slams 'phony' Trump: He's playing 'the American public for suckers' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/03/03/mitt-romney-trump-is-a-phony-a-fraud-who-is-playing-the-american-public-for-suckers/ |access-date=March 3, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 3, 2016}} In June he expressed concern that some of the things Trump says could legitimize racism, and that Trump as president could cause "trickle-down racism, trickle-down bigotry, trickle-down misogyny, all these things (that) are extraordinarily dangerous to the heart and character of America".

Unlike many other Republican critics who came around after Trump was confirmed as the presumptive nominee, Romney continued his "increasingly lonely" challenge to Trump. He explained, "I wanted my grandkids to see that I simply couldn't ignore what Mr. Trump was saying and doing, which revealed a character and temperament unfit for the leader of the free world."{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/behind-mitt-romneys-increasingly-lonely-challenge-to-donald-trump-1464354734 |title=Behind Mitt Romney's Increasingly Lonely Challenge to Donald Trump |last=Langley |first=Monica |date=May 28, 2016 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=July 19, 2016}} He hinted he might vote for Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson.{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/10/politics/mitt-romney-donald-trump-racism/ |title=Mitt Romney says Donald Trump will change America with 'trickle-down racism' |last=Schleifer |first=Theodore |date=June 11, 2016 |work=CNN |access-date=July 19, 2016}} In contrast, while Romney was running for president in 2012, he praised Trump and sought his endorsement.{{cite magazine |url=https://time.com/4246367/donald-trump-mitt-romney-2012/ |title=Here's What Mitt Romney Said About Donald Trump in 2012 |magazine=Time|date=March 3, 2016}}{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-romney-2012/story?id=37366976 |title=The Way They Were: Trump and Romney in 2012 |work=ABC News |date=March 3, 2016}}{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-mitt-romney-begged-me-for-the-2012-endorsement-election-2016/ |title=Trump: Romney begged me for the 2012 endorsement |work=CBS News |date=March 3, 2016}}

After Trump won the election, Romney congratulated him by phone and on Twitter.{{cite web|url=https://www.boston.com/news/politics/2016/11/13/mitt-romney-called-to-congratulate-donald-trump-on-his-election-night-win|title=Mitt Romney called to congratulate Donald Trump on his election night win|author=Nik DeCosta-Klipa|publisher=Boston.com|date=November 13, 2016|access-date=November 13, 2016}} In November he met Trump to discuss the position of Secretary of State.

File:Speaker Ryan with Trump and Pence.jpg

Paul Ryan, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, was initially critical of Trump. In December 2015 when Trump called for a ban on foreign Muslims entering the country, Ryan said "What was proposed yesterday is not what this party stands for, and more importantly, it's not what this country stands for."{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2015/12/08/paul-ryan-joins-chorus-opposing-trumps-muslim-ban/ |title=Ryan, McConnell denounce Trump plan to bar Muslims from the U.S. |last=DeBonis |first=Mike |date=December 8, 2015 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=August 21, 2016}} Even after endorsing Trump, Ryan continued to criticize Trump's religion-based immigration proposals.{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2016/06/14/482018791/paul-ryan-trumps-muslim-ban-not-reflective-of-gop-and-u-s-principles |title=Paul Ryan: Trump's Muslim Ban Not Reflective Of GOP And U.S. Principles |last=Detrow |first=Scott |date=June 14, 2016 |work=NPR|access-date=August 21, 2016}} In early March 2016 Ryan condemned Trump's failure to repudiate the support of white supremacists,{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/01/politics/paul-ryan-donald-trump-kkk/ |title=Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell call out Trump on KKK |last=Walsh |first=Deirdre |date=March 1, 2016 |work=CNN |access-date=August 21, 2016}} and in mid March he strongly objected to Trump's suggestion that there could be "riots" at the Republican convention if he is not the nominee.{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/17/politics/paul-ryan-gop-open-convention-donald-trump/ |title=Speaker Paul Ryan slams Donald Trump's riots comments |last=Walsh |first=Deirdre |date=March 18, 2016 |work=CNN |access-date=August 21, 2016}} In June when Trump said the judge hearing a lawsuit against him was biased because he was of Mexican extraction, Ryan said Trump's remarks were "absolutely unacceptable" and "the textbook definition of a racist comment".

In May when Trump was declared the presumptive nominee, Ryan told CNN that he was not ready to endorse Trump, saying "I'm not there right now." He questioned Trump's commitment to conservative values but added he hoped to back him eventually.{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/paul-ryan-i-m-not-ready-endorse-donald-trump-n568871 |title=Paul Ryan: I'm 'Not Ready' to Endorse Donald Trump |last=Dann |first=Carrie |date=May 6, 2016 |work=NBC News |access-date=August 21, 2016}} Trump and Ryan met once during May, and on June{{nbsp}}2 Ryan published an op-ed endorsing Trump and stressing the need to prevent Hillary Clinton's election.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2016/06/02/paul-ryan-endorses-donald-trump/ |title=Paul Ryan endorses Donald Trump |last=Kane |first=Paul |date=June 2, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=August 21, 2016}} Ryan later explained that as Majority Leader he feels obligated to support the Republican nominee in the interest of party unity.{{cite news |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/ryan-trump-respontibility-paul-donald-224521 |title=Ryan: I have to support Trump |last=Nelson |first=Louis |date=June 19, 2016 |work=Politico|access-date=August 20, 2016}}

On August 2, 2016, one week before Ryan faced a primary for re-election to his house seat, Trump declined to endorse him, saying "I'm just not quite there yet." He praised Ryan's primary opponent.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-refuses-to-endorse-paul-ryan-in-gop-primary-im-just-not-quite-there-yet/2016/08/02/1449f028-58e9-11e6-831d-0324760ca856_story.html |title=Trump refuses to endorse Paul Ryan in GOP primary: 'I'm just not quite there yet' |last=Rucker |first=Phillip |date=August 2, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=August 20, 2016}} Trump's comments infuriated Republican officials, particularly GOP chairman Reince Priebus.{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/card/rnc-chairman-priebus-apoplectic-over-trumps-refusal-endorse-ryan-n622001 |title=RNC Chairman Priebus 'Apoplectic' Over Trump's Refusal to Endorse Ryan |date=August 3, 2016 |work=NBC News |access-date=August 21, 2016}} Three days later Trump endorsed Ryan, reading from a prepared statement, "So in our shared mission, to make America great again, I support and endorse our speaker of the House, Paul Ryan."{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/05/politics/donald-trump-endorse-paul-ryan/ |title=Trump endorses Paul Ryan, John McCain |date=August 6, 2016 |work=CNN |access-date=August 20, 2016}}

In October 2016, following the Donald Trump Access Hollywood controversy, Ryan disinvited Trump from a scheduled campaign rally,{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/trailguide/la-na-trailguide-updates-pence-too-is-out-at-wisconsin-event-1475944325-htmlstory.html |title=Pence, too, is out at Wisconsin event with Paul Ryan |first=Julie |last=Westfall |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=October 8, 2016 |access-date=October 11, 2016}} announced that he would no longer defend or support Trump's presidential campaign, and in a highly unusual move he freed down-ticket congressional members to use their own judgment, saying "you all need to do what's best for you and your district."{{Cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/10/politics/paul-ryan-said-he-wont-defend-donald-trump/index.html |title=Paul Ryan said he won't defend Donald Trump |author1=Manu Raju |author2=Deirdre Walsh |author3=Kevin Liptak |date=October 10, 2016 |work=CNN|access-date=October 10, 2016}} In the final weeks of the campaign, Trump went on the attack against Ryan, accusing him and other "disloyal" Republicans of deliberately undermining his candidacy as part of "a whole sinister deal".{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-trump-idUSKCN12C2I5 |title=Trump intensifies attacks on Ryan with four weeks left until Election Day |date=October 12, 2016 |work=Reuters|access-date=October 18, 2016}}{{cite news |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/10/hill-gop-surrogates-advise-trump-to-stop-ryan-attacks-229671 |title=Trump's Hill surrogates: Stop attacking Ryan |date=October 12, 2016 |work=Politico|access-date=October 18, 2016}} Despite his reluctance to publicly support Trump, Ryan ultimately announced that he cast his vote for Trump a week before election day.{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/01/politics/paul-ryan-voted-for-donald-trump/ |title=Paul Ryan on voting for Trump: I already voted 'for our nominee' |last=Kludt |first=Tom |date=November 1, 2016 |work=CNN |access-date=November 17, 2016}} In March 2017, Breitbart News released a tape recording with Ryan telling fellow Republican congressmen that he was "not going to defend Donald Trump—not now, not in the future."{{cite news |last1=Borchers |first1=Callum |title=Breitbart's Paul Ryan Tape is Just the Tip of the Iceberg |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/03/14/breitbarts-paul-ryan-tape-is-just-the-tip-of-the-iceberg/ |date=March 14, 2017 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=March 15, 2017}}

On November 1, 2016, The Wall Street Journal published an open letter signed by 370 economists, including eight Nobel laureates, who stated that Trump would be a "dangerous, destructive" choice and encouraged voters to vote for another candidate. The letter stated that Trump "misinforms the electorate, degrades trust in public institutions with conspiracy theories, and promotes willful delusion over engagement with reality"; that "If elected, he poses a unique danger (...) to the prosperity of the country"; and that he "promotes magical thinking and conspiracy theories over sober assessments of feasible economic policy options".Jim Zarroli, [https://www.npr.org/2016/11/01/500264332/economists-warn-trump-promotes-magical-thinking-and-conspiracy-theories Economists Warn: Trump 'Promotes Magical Thinking and Conspiracy Theories'], NPR (November 1, 2016).[https://www.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/EconomistLetter11012016.pdf Full text of economists' letter], reprinted by The Wall Street Journal.

Peter Navarro of the University of California, Irvine, one of Trump's senior economic advisers, called the letter "an embarrassment to the corporate offshoring wing of the economist profession who continues to insist bad trade deals are good for America." He pointed to a letter signed in September by other economists, 305 in total, including a Nobel laureate, which stated "Clinton's economic agenda is wrong for America."{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2016/11/01/500264332/economists-warn-trump-promotes-magical-thinking-and-conspiracy-theories |title=Economists Warn: Trump 'Promotes Magical Thinking And Conspiracy Theories' |website=NPR |date=November 2016 |last1=Zarroli |first1=Jim }}{{cite web |title=Hillary Clinton's Economic Plan Is No Good for Growth |website=U.S. News & World Report |date=26 September 2016 |url=http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2016-09-26/hillary-clintons-economic-plan-is-no-good-for-growth |access-date=25 July 2023}} Navarro's endorsement of the Trump economic platform was met with criticism by economists.

Trump was one of ten candidates in a Fox News debate on August 6, 2015. Chris Wallace asked him about Mexican illegal immigrants,{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAs3Xpq9QBs |title=Donald Trump: 'We need to keep illegals out'—Fox News Republican Debate |date=August 6, 2015 |publisher=YouTube}} and Megyn Kelly asked about how he would respond to the Clinton campaign saying that he was waging a "war on women".{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOqtra7j6UM |title=Is Donald Trump part of the 'war on women'?—Fox News Republican Debate |date=August 6, 2015 |publisher=YouTube}} Trump replied, "I think the big problem this country has is being politically correct."{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/08/06/annotated-transcript-the-aug-6-gop-debate/ |title=Annotated transcript: The Aug. 6 GOP debate |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=August 6, 2015}} In a later interview with Don Lemon on CNN Tonight, Trump said that Kelly is a "lightweight" and had "blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her{{nbsp}}... wherever."{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2015/08/08/politics/donald-trump-cnn-megyn-kelly-comment/index.html |title=Trump draws outrage after Megyn Kelly remarks |first=Holly |last=Yan |date=August 8, 2015 |work=CNN}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-33833516 |title=Donald Trump axed from event over Megyn Kelly blood comment |work=BBC News}} Trump tweeted that his remark referred to Kelly's nose but was interpreted by critics as a reference to menstruation.{{cite web |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/08/erick-erickson-the-republican-party-created-donald-trump/400847/ |title=Erick Erickson: 'The Republican Party Created Donald Trump' |work=The Atlantic|date=August 8, 2015 }} Trump retained his first place standing after the debate, with a Reuters/Ipsos poll at 24 percent.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-poll-idUSKCN0QF1WL20150810 |title=Trump's Republican support holds strong post-debate—Reuters/Ipsos poll |work=Reuters|date=August 10, 2015 |access-date=July 1, 2017 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924221915/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/10/us-usa-election-poll-idUSKCN0QF1WL20150810 |url-status=live }}

Following the Kelly incident, Roger Stone, Trump's veteran political adviser, left the campaign, citing "controversies involving personalities and provocative media fights".{{cite news |author1=Marc Caputo |title=Sources: Roger Stone quit, wasn't fired by Trump in campaign shakeup |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2015/08/sources-roger-stone-quit-wasnt-fired-by-donald-trump-in-campaign-shakeup-121177 |access-date=March 10, 2016 |work=Politico|date=August 8, 2015}} Despite this, Stone remained a Trump confidant[https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/while-the-gop-worries-about-convention-chaos-trump-pushes-for-showbiz-feel/2016/04/17/482cc914-0322-11e6-9d36-33d198ea26c5_story.html While the GOP worries about convention chaos, Trump pushes for 'showbiz' feel], The Washington Post (April 17, 2016) ("Roger Stone, a Trump confidant who is not part of the campaign"). and said to National Review that he is "the ultimate Trump loyalist".{{Cite web |url=http://www.nationalreview.com/article/422353/donald-trump-roger-stone-interview |title=Donald Trump's Departed Top Adviser Speaks Out |website=National Review |date=August 10, 2015 |access-date=March 12, 2016}} In March 2016, Trump resumed his feud with Kelly in Twitter messages disparaging Kelly and calling for a boycott of her show. Fox News responded with a statement saying that Trump's behavior was an "extreme, sick obsession" beneath the dignity of a presidential nominee.{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/03/18/fox-news-slams-donald-trump-for-sick-obsession-with-megyn-kelly/ | title=Fox News Slams Donald Trump for 'Sick Obsession' with Megyn Kelly | website=The New York Times | date=March 19, 2016 }}Ali Vitali, [https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/donald-trump-resumes-fight-against-fox-news-anchor-megyn-kelly-n541921 Donald Trump Resumes Fight Against Fox News Anchor Megyn Kelly], NBC News (March 19, 2016). In April 2016, Kelly met with Trump at Trump Tower at her request to "clear the air". Following the meeting, Trump stated that Kelly was "very, very nice" and regarding the meeting: "Maybe it was time{{nbsp}}... By the way, in all fairness, I give her a lot of credit" for requesting it.Brian Stelter, [https://money.cnn.com/2016/04/13/media/megyn-kelly-donald-trump-meet/index.html Donald Trump and Megyn Kelly met at Trump Tower to 'clear the air'], CNNMoney (April 13, 2016).

File:Donald Trump (27150683144).jpg

Trump's popularity among Hispanic and Latino Americans was low; a survey conducted in February 2016 showed 80 percent of Hispanic voters had an unfavorable view of Trump, more than double the percentage of any other candidate.Dan Balz and Scott Clement, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2016/02/25/poll-trumps-negatives-among-hispanics-rise-worst-in-gop-field/ Poll: Trump's negatives among Hispanics rise; worst in GOP field], The Washington Post (February 25, 2016). These low rankings were attributed to Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric.James Oliphant & Luciana Lopez, [https://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/in-florida-donald-trump-finds-some-support-among-hispanic-republicans/2269150/ Some Hispanic Republicans fear for party's future if Trump wins in Florida], Reuters (March 11, 2016).{{cite news |author=Julia Preston |title=More Latinos Seek Citizenship to Vote Against Trump |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/08/us/trumps-rise-spurs-latino-immigrants-to-naturalize-to-vote-against-him.html |work=The New York Times |date=March 7, 2016 |access-date=March 8, 2016}}

Alarm at Trump's rise prompted an increase in eligible Latino immigrants who to naturalize to vote against him. Despite his poor national standing with Hispanic and Latino Americans, he garnered higher numbers than Republican rivals, along with other minority groups.{{Cite news |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/nov/3/donald-trump-could-win-over-hispanics-who-fear-job/?page=all |title=Donald Trump could win over Hispanics who fear job competition from illegal immigrants |newspaper=The Washington Times|access-date=March 21, 2016}}{{cite web |title=SurveyUSA Election Poll #22490 |url=http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=d950cadf-05ce-4148-a125-35c0cdab26c6 |publisher=surveyusa.com|access-date = January 27, 2016}} Trump received pockets of Hispanic support, winning around 45% of the Hispanic vote in the Nevada Republican caucuses,Janell Ross, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/02/24/donald-trump-apparently-won-the-latino-vote-in-nevada-it-doesnt-mean-latinos-suddenly-love-him/ Donald Trump apparently won the Latino vote in Nevada. It doesn't mean Latinos suddenly love him.], The Washington Post (February 24, 2016).{{cite news |author=Priscilla Alvarez |title=A Changing Latino Electorate |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/02/latino-vote-nevada/470829/ |magazine=The Atlantic |access-date=March 8, 2016}} and receiving support among Cuban Americans in Florida.Lesley Clark & Patricia Mazzei, [https://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/in-florida-donald-trump-finds-some-support-among-hispanic-republicans/2269150/ In Florida, Donald Trump finds some support among Hispanic Republicans], The Miami Herald (March 13, 2016). Despite expectations of low Latino support, Trump received about 29% of the Hispanic vote, more than Romney in 2012.{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/2016/11/09/hispanic-vote-election-2016-donald-trump-hillary-clinton/93540772/ |title=Another election surprise: Many Hispanics backed Trump |last=Gomez |first=Alan |publisher=USA Today|date=November 9, 2016 |access-date=November 16, 2016}}

In August 2016, Trump created and met with a Hispanic advisory council.{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/20/politics/rnc-donald-trump-national-hispanic-advisory-council/ |title=Trump campaign, RNC convene Hispanic outreach effort |last=Watkins |first=Eli |date=August 21, 2016 |work=CNN |access-date=September 1, 2016}} He hinted publicly he might soften his call for the deportation of all undocumented immigrants.{{cite magazine |url=https://time.com/4463874/donald-trump-softening-immigration-position/ |title=Donald Trump Signals 'Softening' of Immigration Position |last=Miller |first=Zeke J. |date=August 23, 2016 |magazine=Time|access-date=September 1, 2016}}{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/28/politics/donald-trump-immigration-explainer/ |title=Trump to give immigration speech amid major questions |last=Bradner |first=Eric |date=August 28, 2016 |work=CNN |access-date=September 1, 2016}} On August 31, 2016, he visited Mexico and met with President Enrique Peña Nieto, saying he wanted to build relations.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-37227545 |title=Donald Trump visits Mexico to build relations in the country |date=August 31, 2016 |website=BBC News |access-date=August 31, 2016}} However, in a speech later that night, Trump laid out a 10-step plan reaffirming his hardline positions, and used harsh rhetoric to portray many illegal immigrants as a danger to Americans.{{cite magazine |url=https://time.com/4475417/donald-trump-immigration-policy-mexico-deportation/ |title=Donald Trump Pivots Back to Hard-Line Immigration Stance |date=August 31, 2016 |magazine=Time|access-date=September 1, 2016}}{{cite news |url=https://news.vice.com/article/donald-trump-sets-harsh-tone-on-immigration-mass-deportations-biometrics-no-amnesty |title=Donald Trump sets harsh tone on immigration: mass deportations, biometrics, 'no amnesty' |last=Thompson |first=Alec |date=August 31, 2016 |work=Vice|access-date=September 1, 2016}} In reaction, one member of Trump's Hispanic advisory council resigned, and other Hispanic supporters said they were reconsidering their support.{{cite news |url=https://www.vox.com/2016/9/1/12752284/trump-immigration-speech-reactions |title=Donald Trump's immigration speech led at least one of his top Latino advisers to quit |last=Lopez |first=German |date=September 1, 2016 |work=Vox|access-date=September 1, 2016}}{{cite news |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/09/donald-trump-hispanic-leaders-arizona-immigration-227615 |title=Several Hispanic Trump surrogates reconsider support |date=September 1, 2016 |work=Politico|access-date=September 2, 2016}}

According to the Atlantic, "[a]mong prominent ex-military and national-security leaders, the edge clearly belongs to Clinton."Russell Berman, [https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/09/why-trumps-support-from-military-leaders-isnt-that-impressive/498806/ Trump's Unimpressive Support From Military Leaders], The Atlantic (September 6, 2016). Trump's most prominent ex-military supporter was retired Lieutenant General Michael T. Flynn. An open letter endorsing Trump, signed by 88 retired generals and admirals, was released in September 2016.{{Cite web |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/09/retired-generals-admirals-endorse-trump-227755 |title=Trump earns endorsement of 88 retired generals, admirals |last=Gass |first=Nick |date=September 6, 2016 |website=Politico}} 500 retired military officers endorsed Republican nominee Mitt Romney in 2012.

Trump led in polling of military veterans and military households in September 2016,Hannah Hartig, John Lapinski & Stephanie Psyllos, [https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/data-points/poll-trump-leads-clinton-among-military-households-n632106 Poll: Trump Leads Clinton Among Military Households], NBC News (August 16, 2016). although his performance with this group trailed "well behind that of other recent Republican candidates".

Trump is a Presbyterian and says he attends Marble Collegiate Church, although the church said in a statement that he is "not an active member".{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/28/politics/donald-trump-church-member/ |title=Church says Donald Trump is not an 'active member' |last=Scott |first=Eugene |date=August 28, 2015 |work=CNN |access-date=July 5, 2016}} In campaign speeches, he had routinely praised the Bible and sometimes carried it, often saying that his own book Trump: The Art of the Deal is his "second-favorite book after the Bible".Tom LoBianco, [http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/25/politics/donald-trump-bible-values-voter/ Bible in hand, Trump makes pitch to religious voters], CNN (August 27, 2015). On occasion, Trump "reflected a degree of indifference" to religion, causing unease among some social conservatives.Steve Benen, [https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/trumps-religious-talk-causes-unease-among-social-conservatives Trump's religious talk causes unease among social conservatives], MSNBC (July 21, 2015).

Trump solicited the support of religious leaders, inviting dozens of Christian and Jewish leaders to his New York City offices for a meeting and laying on of hands prayer gathering in September 2015.Eric Bradner and Noah Gray, [http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/28/politics/donald-trump-religious-leaders-meeting/ Trump meets with Christian, Jewish leaders], CNN (September 28, 2015). Trump praised prominent national evangelical leaders of the Christian right, including Tony Perkins and Ralph Reed,Jill Colvin, [http://bigstory.ap.org/article/182ce6ff69484377abadf7bcbe3f8bdc/playboy-no-more-trump-courts-christian-right "'I believe in the Bible': Trump courts Christian right] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151122170635/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/182ce6ff69484377abadf7bcbe3f8bdc/playboy-no-more-trump-courts-christian-right |date=November 22, 2015 }}, Associated Press (September 25, 2015). and received a blessing and endorsement from Greek Orthodox priest and hedge fund manager Emmanuel Lemelson.{{cite news |url=http://www.ibtimes.com/who-hedge-fund-priest-meet-emmanuel-lemelson-reverend-wall-street-2159138 |title=Who Is The Hedge Fund Priest? Meet Emmanuel Lemelson, The Reverend of Wall Street |last=Salo |first=Jackie |date=October 27, 2015 |url=name="PartlowVitkovskaya">Joshua Partlow & Julie Vitkovskaya, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/02/17/vatican-its-not-all-about-you-trump/ This is how the Pope Francis-Donald Trump argument has played out], The Washington Post (February 17, 2016).

Other figures made more direct religious-based critiques of Trump, including from the American Christian right. Russell D. Moore, the head of the Southern Baptist Convention's public-policy arm, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, is a prominent Trump critic and argued that Christians should vote for a conservative third party.Samuel Smith, [http://www.christianpost.com/news/russell-moore-christian-vote-third-party-lesser-of-evils-158917/ Russell Moore: Christians Should Vote Third-Party Rather Than 'Lesser of Evils'], The Christian Post (March 4, 2016).Alexander Burns, [https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/03/us/politics/anti-donald-trump-republicans-call-for-a-third-party-option.html Anti-Trump Republicans Call for a Third-Party Option], The New York Times (March 2, 2016). Peter Wehner of the Ethics and Public Policy Center said that Trump "embodies a Nietzschean morality rather than a Christian one", writing that Trump is "characterized by indifference to objective truth (there are no facts, only interpretations), the repudiation of Christian concern for the poor and the weak, and disdain for the powerless".Peter Wehner, [https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/05/opinion/campaign-stops/the-theology-of-donald-trump.html "The Theology of Donald Trump], The New York Times (July 5, 2016). On the Christian left, a number of commentators, including Shaun King, criticized Trump's racially charged rhetoric as inconsistent with Christianity.{{cite news |first=Shaun |last=King |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/king-fake-christianity-donald-trump-article-1.2510260 |title=The fake Christianity of Donald Trump (and Jerry Falwell Jr.) |work=New York Daily News |location=New York |date=January 26, 2016 }}

Trump struggled with Mormon voters, affecting his party's grip on Utah, where Mormons constitute a majority, and Nevada, where they are a significant minority. Reasons for this include Trump's rhetoric concerning Muslims, which Mormons see as a parallel to their own historic persecution.{{cite news |title=Republican hold on Mormon voters slips with Trump as nominee |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/uncategorized/republican-hold-on-mormon-voters-slips-with-trump-as-nominee/ |first=Brady |last=McCombs |access-date=September 18, 2016 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=September 17, 2016}}{{cite news |title=How Donald Trump Could End the Republican Lock on the Mormon Vote |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/03/donald-trump-gop-mormon-vote-utah/474819/ |access-date=September 18, 2016 |work=The Atlantic |date=March 22, 2016}}{{cite news |title=Trump hits a Mormon wall |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/donald-trump-mormons-nevada-224504 |access-date=September 18, 2016 |work=Politico|date=June 18, 2016}}{{cite news |title=Why does Trump have a Mormon problem? |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2016/0813/Why-does-Trump-have-a-Mormon-problem |access-date=September 18, 2016 |work=The Christian Science Monitor |date=August 13, 2016}}{{cite magazine |title=Why Mormons Don't Like Trump |url=http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2016/08/why_mormons_don_t_like_donald_trump.html |access-date=September 18, 2016 |magazine=Slate|date=August 4, 2016}} Following the release of the 2016 Access Hollywood tape, several high-profile Mormon political leaders from Utah, including Utah governor Gary Herbert and representative Jason Chaffetz, withdrew their endorsements for Trump.{{cite news |last=Schwirtz |first=Michael |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/10/us/politics/utah-mormons-republicans-donald-trump.html |title=Utah's Top Mormons in 'All-Out Revolt' Against Donald Trump |newspaper=The New York Times |date=October 9, 2016 |access-date=October 12, 2016}} The Deseret News, a media outlet owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, broke with an 80-year tradition of refraining from presidential endorsements to publish an editorial calling on Trump to step aside.{{cite news |title=In our opinion: Donald Trump should resign his candidacy |url=https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865664336/In-our-opinion-Donald-Trump-should-resign-his-candidacy.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008185916/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865664336/In-our-opinion-Donald-Trump-should-resign-his-candidacy.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 8, 2016 |newspaper=Deseret News |date=October 8, 2016 |access-date=September 30, 2017}}

The phrase "One people under one God" was noted as having been used repeatedly in Trump speeches, especially to religious groups.{{citation|publisher=NPR|title=Trump's Vision: Uniting 'Under One God' Vs. Religious Freedom|date=September 17, 2016|url=https://www.npr.org/2016/09/17/494360236/trumps-vision-of-uniting-under-one-god-versus-religious-freedom}} Christian Today termed the use of the phrase "a rare mention of religion by the Republican presidential nominee" in early September.{{citation|title=Trump says America can be a nation of 'one people, under one God'|author=Andre Mitchell |newspaper=Christian Today|date=September 10, 2016|url=https://www.christiantoday.com/article/trump.says.america.can.be.a.nation.of.one.people.under.one.god/94999.htm}} At about the same time, Reuters also said Trump "rarely mentions religion" and used the phrase as an illustration that Trump's campaign, previously centered around confrontational issues, had begun to invoke religion to appeal to voters and build a unified base.{{citation|date=September 6, 2016|title=Invoking religion, a more disciplined Trump speaks of unity|author1=Steve Holland |author2=Amanda Becker |publisher=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-idUSKCN11C2CY }}

Trump praised the U.S. Tea Party movement throughout his 2016 campaign.[http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/29/politics/donald-trump-tea-party-nashville/ "Donald Trump courts tea party at Nashville straw poll,"] By MJ Lee, CNN, August 29, 2015, retrieved December 1, 2016. In August 2015, he told a Tea Party gathering in Nashville that "The tea party people are incredible people. These are people who work hard and love the country and they get beat up all the time by the media." In a January 2016 CNN poll at the beginning of the 2016 Republican primary, Trump led all Republican candidates modestly among self-identified Tea Party voters with 37 percent supporting Trump and 34 percent supporting Ted Cruz.[http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/26/politics/donald-trump-ted-cruz-polling/ "CNN/ORC Donald Trump Poll: Donald Trump dominates GOP field at 41%,"] by Jennifer Agiesta, CNN, January 26, 2016, retrieved December 1, 2016.

File:Trump With Family February 1 2016.jpg

Trump called his wife Melania "my pollster" and had said that she supported his presidential run.{{cite news |title=The Immigrant Who Sleeps Next to Trump |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/09/01/the-immigrant-who-sleeps-next-to-trump.html |date=September 1, 2015 |access-date=September 4, 2015 |first=Patricia |last=Murphy |work=The Daily Beast}} Melania appeared at her husband's June 2015 campaign announcement and at the Fox News debate in Cleveland. She has also conducted several televised interviews and appeared at a Trump rally in South Carolina along with other family members.Tierney McAfee—[http://www.people.com/article/melania-trump-donald-trump-campaign-trail "Melania Trump Makes Her First Appearance on Campaign Trail{{nbsp}}..."] People, November 25, 2015. Trump's adult children Donald Jr, Ivanka, and Eric, as well as Ivanka's husband Jared Kushner, were all involved in his campaign and are regarded as key advisers. They were reportedly influential in persuading Trump to fire his controversial campaign manager Corey Lewandowski in June 2016.{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/campaign-influence-of-donald-trumps-children-grows-1466536976 |title=Trump's Adult Children Flex Muscle Inside Campaign |last=Langley |first=Monica |date=June 22, 2016 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=July 5, 2016}}{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/06/20/trump-parts-ways-with-campaign-manager/ |title=Donald Trump fires embattled campaign manager Corey Lewandowski |date=June 20, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=July 5, 2016}} Melania, Donald Jr, Eric, and Ivanka were "Headliner" speakers at the Republican National Convention.{{cite web |url=http://convention.gop/post/147558746375/2016-gop-convention-program-announced |title=2016 GOP Convention Program Announced |work=RNC 2016 Cleveland |access-date=July 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160721130938/http://convention.gop/post/147558746375/2016-gop-convention-program-announced |archive-date=July 21, 2016}} If elected president, Trump said that he would hand over control of his company to his children instead of placing it in a blind trust.Overby, Peter. [https://www.npr.org/2016/06/09/481351291/if-elected-president-would-trump-put-his-investments-in-a-blind-trust "Will Donald Trump Put His{{nbsp}}..."] National Public Radio. June 9, 2016. September 19, 2016.

Trump praised Wikileaks in October 2016, saying, "I love Wikileaks."{{Cite news |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/300327-trump-i-love-wikileaks/ |title=Trump: 'I love WikiLeaks' |last=Master |first=Cyra |date=October 10, 2016 |newspaper=The Hill|access-date=January 6, 2017}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/04/politics/kfile-trump-wikileaks/index.html |title=Trump in 2010: WikiLeaks 'disgraceful,' there 'should be like death penalty or something' |first=Andrew |last=Kaczynski |website=CNN|date=January 4, 2017 |access-date=January 6, 2017}}

During the 2016 U.S. presidential election campaign, WikiLeaks released emails and other documents from the Democratic National Committee and from Hillary Clinton's campaign manager, John Podesta, showing that the party's national committee favoured Clinton over her rival Bernie Sanders in the primaries, leading to the resignation of DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and an apology to Sanders from the DNC.{{cite news |title=Why it's entirely predictable that Hillary Clinton's emails are back in the news |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/11/01/why-its-entirely-predictable-that-hillary-clintons-emails-are-back-in-the-news/ |access-date=12 November 2016}} These releases caused significant harm to the Clinton campaign, and have been cited as a potential contributing factor to her loss in the general election against Donald Trump.{{Cite news |date=23 December 2016 |title=How Much Did WikiLeaks Hurt Hillary Clinton? |language=en-US |work=FiveThirtyEight|url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/wikileaks-hillary-clinton/ |access-date=15 February 2018 |quote=The evidence suggests WikiLeaks is among the factors that might have contributed to her loss, but we really can't say much more than that.}} The U.S. intelligence community expressed "high confidence" that the leaked emails had been hacked by Russia and supplied to WikiLeaks. WikiLeaks said that the source of the documents was not Russia or any other state.{{Cite news |last=Shabad |first=Rebecca |date=7 October 2016 |title=U.S. intel community 'confident' Russia directed hacks to influence election |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-intel-community-confident-russia-directed-hacks-to-influence-election/ |access-date=23 October 2016}}

Also during the 2016 U.S. presidential election campaign, Assange only exposed material damaging to the Democratic National Committee and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Wikileaks popularized conspiracies about the Democratic Party and Hillary Clinton, such as tweeting an article which suggested Clinton campaign chairperson John Podesta engaged in satanic rituals, which was later revealed to be false{{Cite news |url=https://www.vox.com/world/2016/11/8/13563750/wikileaks-2016-election-statement |title=WikiLeaks just tried to justify its behavior this year in a bizarre Election Day statement |last=Beauchamp |first=Zack |newspaper=Vox|access-date=November 8, 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://imgur.com/a/Utaab |title=WikiLeaks on Twitter |website=twitter.com |access-date=December 11, 2016}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.snopes.com/john-podesta-spirit-cooking/ |title=FALSE: Clinton Campaign Chairman John Podesta Involved in Satanic 'Spirit Cooking' |last=Evon |first=Dan |newspaper=Snopes|language=en-US|access-date=November 8, 2016}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2016/11/04/no-john-podesta-didnt-drink-bodily-fluids-at-a-secret-satanist-dinner/ |title=No, John Podesta didn't drink bodily fluids at a secret Satanist dinner |last=Ohlheiser |first=Abby |date=November 4, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286|access-date=November 8, 2016}} implying that the Democratic Party had Seth Rich killed,{{Cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/wikileaks-fuels-conspiracy-theories-about-dnc-staffer-s-death-n627401 |title=WikiLeaks Fuels Conspiracy Theories About DNC Staffer's Death |newspaper=NBC News|access-date=November 8, 2016}} suggesting that Clinton wore earpieces to debates and interviews,{{Cite news |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/295116-wikileaks-piles-on-to-clinton-earpiece-conspiracy/ |title=WikiLeaks piles on to Clinton earpiece conspiracy |last=Firozi |first=Paulina |date=September 8, 2016 |newspaper=The Hill|access-date=November 8, 2016}} claiming that Hillary Clinton wanted to drone strike Assange,{{Cite news |url=http://www.snopes.com/julian-assange-drone-strike/ |title=To Silence Wikileaks, Hillary Clinton Proposed Drone Strike on Julian Assange? |last=LaCapria |first=Kim |newspaper=Snopes |language=en-US|access-date=November 8, 2016}} promoting conspiracy theories about Clinton's health,{{Cite web |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/08/25/wikileaks-plays-doctor-gives-hillary-clinton-fake-disease.html |title=WikiLeaks Plays Doctor, Gives Hillary Clinton Fake Disease |last=Collins |first=Ben |date=August 25, 2016 |website=The Daily Beast|access-date=December 29, 2016}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/wikileaks-conspiracy-theory-hillary-clinton_us_57d6f4b2e4b00642712ebbd0 |title=WikiLeaks Feeds Conspiracy Theories That Hillary Clinton Has Parkinson's Or Head Injury Complications |last1=Reporter |first1=Dana Liebelson Staff |last2=Post |first2=The Huffington |date=September 12, 2016 |website=HuffPost|access-date=December 29, 2016}}[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-11/how-julian-assange-turned-wikileaks-into-trump-s-best-friend How Julian Assange turned WikiLeaks into Trump's best friend], Max Chafkin & Vernon Silver, October 10, 2016 (Bloomberg website) and promoting a conspiracy theory from a Donald Trump-related internet community tying the Clinton campaign to child kidnapper Laura Silsby.{{Cite web |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/11/03/wikileaks-latest-find-is-a-conspiracy-theory-from-trump-s-subreddit.html |title=WikiLeaks' Latest 'Find' Is a Conspiracy Theory From Trump's Subreddit |last=Collins |first=Ben |date=November 4, 2016 |website=The Daily Beast|access-date=November 10, 2016}} According to Harvard political scientist Matthew Baum and College of the Canyons political scientist Phil Gussin, Wikileaks strategically released e-mails related to the Clinton campaign whenever Clinton's lead expanded in the polls.{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/11/01/why-its-entirely-predictable-that-hillary-clintons-emails-are-back-in-the-news/ |title=Why it's entirely predictable that Hillary Clinton's emails are back in the news |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=November 12, 2016}}

There was a large gender gap in support for Trump, with women significantly less likely to express support than men.Steven Shepard, [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/12/donald-trump-2016-women-voters-217086 Donald Trump's gender gap: Polls show the billionaire businessman, under fire for his vulgar comments about Hillary Clinton, with a deficit when it comes to women voters], Politico (December 23, 2015).Gerald F. Seib, [https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2015/12/11/wsjnbc-poll-finds-age-gender-gaps-in-views-of-donald-trump/ WSJ/NBC Poll Finds Age, Gender Gaps in Views of Donald Trump], The Wall Street Journal (December 11, 2015). A March 2016 poll showed that half of U.S. women had a "very unfavorable" view of Trump.Chris Kahn, [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-trump-women-idUSKCN0WJ155 Half of U.S. women had 'very unfavorable' view of Trump: poll], Reuters (March 17, 2016).[http://nytlive.nytimes.com/womenintheworld/2016/03/17/poll-says-half-of-american-women-view-trump-very-unfavorably/ Poll says half of American women view Trump "very unfavorably"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022141713/http://nytlive.nytimes.com/womenintheworld/2016/03/17/poll-says-half-of-american-women-view-trump-very-unfavorably/ |date=October 22, 2017 }}, The New York Times/Women in the World. A separate March 2016 poll showed women favoring Hillary Clinton 55 percent to 35 percent over Trump, "twice the gender gap of the 2012 presidential election",{{cite news |author1=Amy Chozick |author2=Trip Gabriel |title=Democrats See Gains as Donald Trump Targets a Wife |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/26/us/politics/donald-trump.html |access-date=March 26, 2016 |work=The New York Times |date=March 25, 2016}} while a Gallup poll showed a 70 percent unfavorable rating.{{cite web |url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/190403/seven-women-unfavorable-opinion-trump.aspx |title=Seven in 10 Women Have Unfavorable Opinion of Trump |work=Gallup |date=April 1, 2016 |access-date=September 5, 2016 |author1=Newport, Frank |author2=Saad, Lydia}}{{cite web |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/08/donald-trump-republican-women/495797/ |title=Will Donald Trump Permanently Alienate Republican Women? |work=The Atlantic |date=August 15, 2016 |access-date=September 5, 2016 |author=Foran, Clare}} A May 2016 NPR article, citing a poll that showed Clinton leading Trump among women by 17 percentage points while Trump led among men by five points—a 22-point gender gap—suggested that "the Trump–Clinton gender gap could be the largest in more than 60 years".{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2016/05/26/479319725/the-trump-clinton-gender-gap-could-be-the-largest-in-more-than-60-years |title=The Trump-Clinton Gender Gap Could Be The Largest In More Than 60 Years |last=Kurtzleben |first=Danielle |date=May 26, 2016 |work=NPR|access-date=September 24, 2016}}

By mid-October 2016 an average among 12 polls showed Trump trailing by 15 percentage points among women but ahead by five points among men.{{cite web |last1=Silver |first1=Nate |title=Election Update: Women Are Defeating Donald Trump |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/election-update-women-are-defeating-donald-trump/ |website=FiveThirtyEight |date=October 11, 2016 |publisher=FiveThirtyEight |access-date=October 14, 2016}}

Both before and during his presidential campaign, Trump made a number of comments about women that some viewed as sexist,{{Cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.in/ishtiaque-hossain/could-trump-be-suffering-from-a-broken-heart/|title=Could Trump Be Suffering From A Broken Heart?|accessdate=July 25, 2023}}{{cite news |author1=Alan Rappeport |title=Donald Trump's Trail of Comments About Women |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/26/us/politics/donald-trump-women.html |access-date=March 26, 2016 |work=The New York Times |date=March 25, 2016}}{{cite news |title=Anti-Trump ad shows women reading Trump comments |url=http://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2016/03/15/anti-donald-trump-ad-women-sot-ctn.cnn/video/playlists/donald-trump/ |access-date=March 26, 2016 |work=CNN|date=March 15, 2016}} or misogynistic.{{cite news |first=Nick |last=Corasaniti |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/15/us/politics/donald-trumps-misogyny-out-of-the-mouths-of-ordinary-women.html |title=Donald Trump's Misogyny, Out of the Mouths of Ordinary Women: The Ad Campaign |work=The New York Times |date=March 14, 2016 }}{{cite news |first=Jon |last=Swaine |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/mar/31/donald-trump-abortion-comments-women-history-of-misogyny |title=Donald Trump's most recent attacks on women point to a history of misogyny |work=The Guardian |date=March 31, 2016 |quote=Trump stands accused of misogyny to a degree that has not been seen in mainstream American politics for decades. }} Trump won among white women overall, winning nearly twice as many non-college educated white women than Clinton, although Clinton outperformed Trump with votes from college-educated white women.{{cite news |url=http://nytlive.nytimes.com/womenintheworld/2016/11/10/more-white-women-voted-for-donald-trump-than-for-hillary-clinton/ |title=More white women voted for Donald Trump than for Hillary Clinton |newspaper=The New York Times |date=November 10, 2016 |access-date=November 16, 2016 |archive-date=October 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022142755/http://nytlive.nytimes.com/womenintheworld/2016/11/10/more-white-women-voted-for-donald-trump-than-for-hillary-clinton/ |url-status=dead }}

{{see also|Racial views of Donald Trump}}

From the outset of his campaign, Trump was endorsed by various white nationalist and white supremacist movements and leaders.{{cite web |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-white-supremacists_us_55dce43ee4b08cd3359dc41a |title=Meet The Members Of Donald Trump's White Supremacist Fan Club |author1=Marans, Daniel |author2=Bellware, Kim |name-list-style=amp|date=August 25, 2015 |work=HuffPost}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/01/us/politics/donald-trump-supremacists.html |title=Donald Trump's Message Resonates With White Supremacists |author=Mahler, Jonathan |date=February 29, 2016 |work=The New York Times}} On February 24, 2016, David Duke, a former Ku Klux Klan Grand Dragon, expressed vocal support for Trump's campaign on his radio show.{{cite web |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/02/david-duke-trump-219777 |title=David Duke: Voting against Trump is 'treason to your heritage' |author=Eliza Collins |date=February 25, 2016 |work=Politico}}{{cite web |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/trump-endorsed-kkk-neo-nazis-america-white-article-1.2543847 |title=Donald Trump supported by former KKK leader David Duke: 'I hope he does everything we hope he will do' |author=Adam Edelman |date=February 26, 2016 |work=New York Daily News |location=New York}}Aaron Morrison, [http://www.ibtimes.com/david-dukes-donald-trump-endorsement-never-happened-former-kkk-grand-wizard-says-2329067 David Duke's Donald Trump Endorsement Never Happened, Former KKK Grand Wizard Says], International Business Times (March 2, 2016).{{cite web |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2015/12/donald-trump-white-supremacists-216620 |title=White supremacist groups see Trump bump |date=December 10, 2015 |work=Politico}} Shortly thereafter in an interview with Jake Tapper, Trump repeatedly claimed to be ignorant of Duke and his support. Republican presidential rivals were quick to respond on his wavering, and Senator Marco Rubio stated the Duke endorsement made Trump un-electable.{{cite web |url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2016/02/28/rubio_david_duke_endorsement_makes_donald_trump_unelectable.html |title=Rubio: David Duke Endorsement Makes Donald Trump "Unelectable" |work=Real Clear Politics |author=Tim Hains |date=February 8, 2016 |access-date=July 5, 2016}} Others questioned his professed ignorance of Duke by pointing out that in 2000, Trump called him a "Klansman".{{cite web |url=http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2016/mar/02/donald-trump/trumps-absurd-claim-he-knows-nothing-about-former-/ |title=Donald Trump's absurd claim that he knows nothing about former KKK leader David Duke |date=March 2, 2016 |work=PolitiFact}}{{cite web |url=http://partners.nytimes.com/library/politics/camp/021400wh-ref-trump.html |title=Reform Bid Said to Be a No-Go for Trump |date=February 14, 2000 |work=The New York Times}} Trump later blamed the incident on a poor earpiece he was given by CNN. Later the same day Trump stated that he had previously disavowed Duke in a tweet posted with a video on his Twitter account.{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/28/politics/donald-trump-white-supremacists/ |title=Donald Trump stumbles on David Duke, KKK |author=Eric Bradner |date=February 28, 2016 |work=CNN}} On March 3, 2016, Trump stated: "David Duke is a bad person, who I disavowed on numerous occasions over the years. I disavowed him. I disavowed the KKK."{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2016/03/03/politics/donald-trump-disavows-david-duke-kkk/ |title=Trump denounces David Duke, KKK |date=March 3, 2016 |work=CNN}}

On July 22, 2016 (the day after Trump's nomination), Duke announced that he will be a candidate for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate from Louisiana. He commented, "I'm overjoyed to see Donald Trump and most Americans embrace most of the issues that I've championed for years." A spokesperson for the Trump campaign said Trump "has disavowed David Duke and will continue to do so."{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/22/politics/david-duke-senate-race/ |title=Former Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard David Duke running for Senate seat in Louisiana |last=Scott |first=Eugene |date=July 23, 2016 |work=CNN |access-date=July 24, 2016}}

On August 25, 2016, Clinton gave a speech saying that Trump is "taking hate groups mainstream and helping a radical fringe take over the Republican Party."{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/26/us/politics/hillary-clinton-speech.html |title=Hillary Clinton Says 'Radical Fringe' Is Taking Over G.O.P. Under Donald Trump |last=Flegenheimer |first=Matt |date=August 25, 2016 |work=The New York Times |access-date=September 17, 2016}} She identified this radical fringe with the "Alt-right", a largely online variation of American far-right that embraces white nationalism and is anti-immigration. During the election season, the Alt-right movement "evangelized" online in support of racist and anti-semitic ideologies.{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalreview.com/article/433650/alt-rights-racism-moral-rot |title=The Racist Moral Rot at the Heart of the Alt-Right |website=nationalreview.com|date=April 5, 2016 }} Clinton noted that Trump's campaign chief executive Stephen Bannon described his Breitbart News Network as "the platform for the alt-right." On September 9, 2016, several leaders of the alt-right community held a press conference, described by one reporter as the "coming-out party" of the little-known movement, to explain their goals.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/09/10/four-lessons-from-the-alt-rights-d-c-coming-out-party/ |title=Four lessons from the alt-right's D.C. coming-out party |last=Weigel |first=David |date=September 10, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=September 17, 2016}} Speakers called for a "White Homeland" and expounded on racial differences in intelligence. They also confirmed their support of Trump, saying "This is what a leader looks like."{{cite news |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/09/alt-right-makes-its-main-stream-debut |title=Alt-Right Movement Presents Its Vision for an All-White Society With Trump Paving the Way |last=Levy |first=Pema |date=September 9, 2016 |work=Mother Jones |access-date=September 17, 2016}}

Richard Spencer, who runs the white nationalist National Policy Institute, said, "Before Trump, our identity ideas, national ideas, they had no place to go". The editor of the Neo-Nazi website The Daily Stormer stated, "Virtually every alt-right Nazi I know is volunteering for the Trump campaign."{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-trump-david-duke-20160928-snap-story.html |title=David Duke and other white supremacists see Trump's rise as way to increase role in mainstream politics |work=Los Angeles Times |date=September 29, 2016 |access-date=October 7, 2016}} Rocky Suhayda, chairman of the American Nazi Party said that although Trump "isn't one of us,"{{cite news |last1=Posner |first1=Sarah |last2=Neiwert |first2=David |title=The chilling story of how Trump took hate groups mainstream |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/10/donald-trump-hate-groups-neo-nazi-white-supremacist-racism |access-date=November 6, 2016 |work=Mother Jones |date=October 16, 2016}} his election would be a "real opportunity" for the white nationalist movement.{{cite news |last1=Holley |first1=Peter |title=Top Nazi leader: Trump will be a 'real opportunity' for white nationalists |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/08/07/top-nazi-leader-trump-will-be-a-real-opportunity-for-white-nationalists/ |access-date=November 6, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=August 7, 2016}}

The Southern Poverty Law Center monitored Trump's campaign throughout the election and noted several instances where Trump and lower-level surrogates either used white nationalist rhetoric or engaged with figures in the white nationalist movement.{{Cite web|url=https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/intelligence-report/2016/hate-race|title=Hate in the Race|website=Southern Poverty Law Center|accessdate=July 25, 2023}}

According to 2021 study in Public Opinion Quarterly, Trump's candidacy simultaneously attracted whites with extreme views on race and made his white supporters more likely to express more extreme views on race.{{Cite journal|last1=Enns|first1=Peter K|last2=Jardina|first2=Ashley|date=2021|title=Complicating the Role of White Racial Attitudes and Anti-Immigrant Sentiment in the 2016 US Presidential Election|url=https://doi.org/10.1093/poq/nfab040|journal=Public Opinion Quarterly|volume=85|issue=2|pages=539–570|doi=10.1093/poq/nfab040|issn=0033-362X|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116000000/https://doi.org/10.1093/poq/nfab040|archive-date=2022-01-16|pmc=11463333}} [https://peterenns.org/wp-content/uploads/Enns_Jardina_TrumpRace2016_POQ_forthcoming.pdf Alt URL]

{{Main|r/The_Donald}}

At over half a million subscribers, the subreddit r/The_Donald on Reddit faced controversy since its inception.{{cite news |last1=Sarlin |first1=Benjy |title=Trump's Reddit Fan Club Grapples With Crackdown, Infighting |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/donald-trump-s-reddit-fan-club-faces-crackdown-civil-war-n601441 |access-date=July 25, 2016 |date=July 1, 2016}} Trump hosted an "Ask Me Anything" (AMA) on the subreddit during the 2016 Democratic National Convention on July 27, 2016, and answered thirteen of the thousands of questions posted on the subreddit.{{cite news |last1=King |first1=Hope |title=Donald Trump will host Reddit AMA |url=https://money.cnn.com/2016/07/25/technology/trump-reddit-ama/ |access-date=July 25, 2016 |work=CNNMoney |date=July 25, 2016}}{{cite news |last1=Lopez |first1=German |title=Reddit asked Obama and Trump the same question. You should see their answers side by side. |url=https://www.vox.com/2016/7/28/12319178/obama-trump-reddit-ama |access-date=July 29, 2016 |work=Vox |date=July 28, 2016}}{{cite news |last1=Alfonso |first1=Fernando III |title=What To Expect When Donald Trump Invites Reddit Users To Ask Him Anything |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/fernandoalfonso/2016/07/26/what-to-expect-from-donald-trumps-reddit-visit/#f43966e714bf |access-date=July 27, 2016 |date=July 26, 2016}} Moderators of the subreddit claimed they banned more than 2,000 accounts during Trump's AMA session.{{cite web |title=Moderators banned 2,200 accounts during Donald Trump's AMA |date=July 28, 2016 |url=https://www.engadget.com/2016/07/28/donald-trump-reddit-ama-censorship/ |access-date=August 2, 2016}}

The subreddit was criticized by Vice, which stated in an article that the subreddit was "authoritarian," "racist," "misogynistic," "homophobic," "Islamophobic," and a "hypocritical 'free speech' rallying point."{{cite web |url=http://motherboard.vice.com/read/what-is-rthedonald-donald-trump-subreddit |title=How /r/The_Donald Became a Melting Pot of Frustration and Hate |work=Motherboard |author=Jason Koebler |date=July 12, 2016 |access-date=July 30, 2016}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/donald-trump-drop-reddit-where-he-s-already-phenomenon-n617356 |title=Donald Trump to Drop In on Reddit, Where He's Already a Phenomenon |work=NBC News |author=Benjy Sarlin |date=July 27, 2016 |access-date=July 30, 2016}} The publication Slate described The_Donald as a "hate speech forum".{{cite web |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2016/07/28/how_donald_trump_s_reddit_ama_rewarded_hateful_trolls.html |title=Meanwhile, Donald Trump Did a Q&A Wednesday Night on a Hate Speech Forum |website=slate.com|date=July 28, 2016 }} According to The New York Times, "members respond to accusations of bigotry with defiant claims of persecution at the hands of critics. It is an article of faith among posters that anti-racists are the real bigots, feminists are the actual sexists, and progressive politics are, in effect, regressive."{{cite web |author=Josh Herrman |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/09/business/media/in-reddits-unruly-corners-trump-finds-support.html |title=Donald Trump Finds Support in Reddit's Unruly Corners |newspaper=The New York Times |date=April 9, 2016}}

Surveys showed that significant proportions of Trump supporters hold negative views of immigrants, Muslims, and African-Americans. The Pew Research Center found that 69 percent of Trump supporters viewed immigrants as a burden, rather than a benefit, to the US, and 64 percent believed that American Muslims should be subject to greater scrutiny solely on the basis of their religion.{{cite web |publisher=Pew Research Center |url=http://www.people-press.org/2016/03/31/campaign-exposes-fissures-over-issues-values-and-how-life-has-changed-in-the-u-s/ |date=March 31, 2016 |title=Campaign Exposes Fissures Over Issues, Values and How Life Has Changed in the U.S.}} Reuters found that Trump supporters were more than twice as likely as Clinton supporters to view Islam negatively.{{cite news |work=Reuters |title=Republicans, Democrats sharply divided over Muslims in America: Reuters/Ipsos poll |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-poll-muslims-idUSKCN0ZV20C |first1=Emily |last1=Flitter |first2=Chris |last2=Kahn |date=July 15, 2016}} Trump supporters were also more likely than supporters of other candidates to hold negative views of African-Americans. Reuters reported that 40–50 percent of Trump supporters viewed African-Americans as being more "lazy", "rude", "violent", or "criminal" than whites, compared to 25–30 percent for Clinton supporters; while 32 percent of Trump supporters believed that African-Americans were less intelligent than whites, compared to 22 percent of Clinton supporters.{{cite news |work=Reuters |first1=Emily |last1=Flitter |first2=Chris |last2=Kahn |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-race-idUSKCN0ZE2SW |title=Exclusive: Trump supporters more likely to view blacks negatively—Reuters/Ipsos poll |date=June 28, 2016}}

University of Massachusetts Amherst researchers, analyzing a national survey of likely Republican primary voters from December 2015, found that having an authoritarian personality and a fear of terrorism were the only two variables among those tested that were statistically significant predictors of Trump support.Matthew C. MacWilliams, [http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/2016/01/27/donald-trump-is-attracting-authoritarian-primary-voters-and-it-may-help-him-to-gain-the-nomination/ Donald Trump is attracting authoritarian primary voters, and it may help him to gain the nomination], LSE US Centre (London School of Economics and Political Science) (January 27, 2016).Max Ehrenfreund, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/02/01/how-your-parenting-style-predicts-whether-you-support-donald-trump/ A strange but accurate predictor of whether someone supports Donald Trump], The Washington Post (February 1, 2016). Another study based on a different survey, conducted by professors at the University of Chicago and University of Minnesota, concluded that Trump supporters were no more authoritarian than supporters of other Republican candidates, but rather were characterized primarily by a strong nationalist identity and a mistrust of experts, intellectuals, and perceived elites.Wendy Rahn & Eric Oliver, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/03/09/trumps-voters-arent-authoritarians-new-research-says-so-what-are-they/ Trump's voters aren't authoritarians, new research says. So what are they?], The Washington Post (March 9, 2016).

A geographical study found support for Trump in the Republican primaries was correlated positively with the following factors (in order of statistical strength): (1) proportion of white lacking a high school diploma; (2) ethnicity reported as "American" on the census; (3) living in a mobile home; (4) jobs largely in agriculture, construction, manufacturing or trade; (5) having a history of voting for segregationists such as George Wallace in 1968; and (6) residents born in the United States and being an evangelical Christian.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/13/upshot/the-geography-of-trumpism.html |title=The Geography of Trumpism |first1=Neil |last1=Irwin |first2=Josh |last2=Katz |date=March 12, 2016|newspaper=The New York Times}}

{{as of|2016|January|31|df=US}}, the Trump campaign had received $7.5 million in donations from individuals, $250,318 donated directly by Trump himself, and a $17.78-million loan from the candidate.{{Cite news |last=Keneally |first=Meghan |title=$7.5M in Donations Helping Trump's 'Self-Funded' Campaign |work=ABC News |access-date=March 13, 2016 |date=March 5, 2016 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/75-million-donations-helping-trumps-funded-campaign/story?id=37403906}} The loaned amount can be repaid to Trump as other donations arrive. According to reports to the FEC, the campaign had $1.9 million on hand as of February 20.{{Cite news |issn=0362-4331 |title=Which Presidential Candidates Are Winning the Money Race |work=The New York Times |access-date=March 13, 2016 |date=February 22, 2016 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/us/elections/election-2016-campaign-money-race.html}}

As of March 31, he had raised $48.4 million, spent $46.3 million, and had $2.1 million cash on hand. His total spending including $3.2 million by outside groups, total $49.5 million.{{cite web |url=http://www.opensecrets.org/pres16/candidate.php?id=N00023864 |title=Donald Trump, Candidate Summary, 2016 Cycle |publisher=OpenSecrets.org |date=April 21, 2016 |access-date=May 4, 2016}} As of May 31, he had raised $63.1 million, spent $61.8 million, and had $1.3 million cash on hand. His total spending including $3.0 million by outside groups, total $64.7 million.{{cite web |url=http://www.opensecrets.org/pres16/candidate.php?id=N00023864 |title=Donald Trump, Candidate Summary, 2016 Cycle |publisher=OpenSecrets.org |date=May 31, 2016 |access-date=July 15, 2016}} As of June 30, he had raised $89.0 million, spent $68.8 million, and had $20.2 million cash on hand. His total spending including $7.6 million by outside groups, total $76.4 million.{{cite web |url=http://www.opensecrets.org/pres16/candidate.php?id=N00023864 |title=Donald Trump, Candidate Summary, 2016 Cycle |publisher=OpenSecrets.org |date=June 30, 2016 |access-date=July 27, 2016}}Campaign finance

On June 23, Trump announced that he was forgiving $50 million in loans that he had made to his campaign for the primary.{{cite web |last=Swan |first=Jonathan |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/284651-trump-says-he-forgives-50m-campaign-loan/ |title=Trump says he forgives $50M campaign loan |work=The Hill |date=June 23, 2016}} His campaign refused to release evidence to the press that would prove that he had forgiven these loans.{{cite web |last1=Melber |first1=Ari |last2=Jaffe |first2=Alexandra |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/after-saying-he-forgave-loans-campaign-trump-won-t-release-n601596 |title=After Saying He Forgave Loans to Campaign, Trump Won't Release Proof |work=NBC News |date=June 30, 2016 |access-date=July 13, 2016}}

In October 2015 Trump had said: "I am self-funding my campaign and therefore I will not be controlled by the donors, special interests and lobbyists who have corrupted our politics and politicians for far too long. I have disavowed all super PACs, requested the return of all donations made to said PACs, and I am calling on all presidential candidates to do the same."{{cite news |title=Donald Trump Says Super PACs Should Give Money Back, Criticizes Opponents For Campaign Finance |url=http://www.ibtimes.com/donald-trump-says-super-pacs-should-give-money-back-criticizes-opponents-campaign-2154127 |work=International Business Times |date=October 23, 2015 |access-date=February 9, 2016}}{{cite news |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/10/23/donald-trump-tells-super-pacs-supporting-his-candidacy-to-return-all-money-to-donors/ |title=Donald Trump tells super PACs supporting his candidacy to return all money to donors |first=Jenna |last=Johnson |date=October 23, 2015 |access-date=October 23, 2015}}{{cite news |title=Donald Trump Demands Super Pacs Supporting Him Return Money, As Hillary Clinton Disavows Private Prison Pacs |url=http://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-demands-super-pacs-return-money-386901 |work=Newsweek |date=October 23, 2015 |access-date=February 9, 2016}} Politifact reports that Trump's claims that he is "self-funding" his campaign are "half-true." By the end of 2015, Trump's campaign had raised $19.4 million, with almost $13 million (about 66 percent) coming in the form of a loan from Trump himself and the remainder (34 percent) coming from others' contributions.{{cite web |last=Carroll |first=Lauren |url=http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2016/feb/10/donald-trump/donald-trump-self-funding-his-campaign-sort/ |title=Is Donald Trump self-funding his campaign? Sort of |work=PolitiFact|date=February 10, 2016}} The announcement came a day after a main super PAC backing Trump closed amid scrutiny about its relationship to the campaign itself.{{cite news |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=October 18, 2015 |access-date=October 23, 2015 |title=The inside story of Trump campaign's connections to a big-money super PAC |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/the-inside-story-of-donald-trumps-connections-to-a-big-money-super-pac/2015/10/18/532b61d4-72b5-11e5-8248-98e0f5a2e830_story.html |first1=Matea |last1=Gold |first2=Tom |last2=Hamburger |first3=Jenna |last3=Johnson}}{{cite news |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/new-ties-emerge-between-trump-operation-and-super-pac/2015/10/20/80e7450a-7753-11e5-bc80-9091021aeb69_story.html |title=New ties emerge between Trump operation and super PAC |date=October 20, 2015 |access-date=October 23, 2015 |first1=Matea |last1=Gold |first2=Tom |last2=Hamburger}} Although Trump attended at least two Make America Great Again Super PAC fundraising events, including one at the home of his daughter Ivanka's in-laws, he later said he never gave his endorsement to the super PAC or any of the other eight super PACs supporting his run.{{cite news |title=Trump: Return all donations made to super PACs |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2015/10/donald-trump-return-super-pac-donations-215105 |work=Politico|date=October 23, 2015 |access-date=February 9, 2016}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/10/22/super-pac-raising-money-for-donald-j-trump-to-shut-down/ |title='Super PAC' Raising Money for Donald J. Trump to Shut Down |work=The New York Times |access-date=October 23, 2015 |date=October 22, 2015 |first=Maggie |last=Haberman}} In addition to a $100,000 donation from Ivanka Trump's mother-in-law, the Make America Great Again super PAC accepted $1 million in seed money from casino mogul and longtime Trump business partner Phil Ruffin who, according to FEC filings, gave the money just two weeks after the super PAC was established; the super PAC spent about $500,000 on polling, consulting, and legal expenses before shutting down in the wake of The Washington Post{{'}}s coverage.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/02/04/longtime-trump-friend-seeded-pro-trump-super-pac-with-1-million/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 4, 2016 |access-date=March 4, 2016 |first=Matea |last=Gold |title=Longtime Trump friend seeded pro-Trump super PAC with $1 million}}

According to Bloomberg News, Trump's general election campaign raised over $500 million, roughly half the sum raised by the Clinton campaign. By October 19, Trump had "put $56.2 million of his own [money] into the campaign, leaving him with scant time to put in the rest of the $100 million he's pledged to spend."{{cite web |last=Allison |first=Bill|display-authors=etal|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/graphics/2016-presidential-campaign-fundraising/ |title=Tracking the 2016 Presidential Money Race |work=Bloomberg |date=October 28, 2016 |access-date=November 21, 2016}}

After becoming the presumptive nominee in early May, the Trump campaign announced that it would be seeking large donations for the general election,{{cite news |url=https://www.vox.com/2016/5/9/11640038/donald-trump-donations-big-money |work=Vox |date=May 9, 2016 |access-date=May 10, 2016 |first=Jeff |last=Stein |title=Donald Trump is now accepting the kind of big-money donations he thinks corrupts politicians}} and that Trump would not be self-funding his campaign in the general election.Monica Langley & Rebecca Ballhaus, [https://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-wont-self-fund-general-election-campaign-1462399502 Donald Trump Won't Self-Fund General-Election Campaign], The Wall Street Journal (May 4, 2016). By the end of May, Trump was reported to have had $1.3 million available for his campaign, while Clinton had $42 million.{{Cite web |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/trump-finanzen-101.html |title=Der klamme Milliardär—Trump hat Geldprobleme |last=tagesschau.de |website=tagesschau.de |language=de-DE|access-date=June 22, 2016}}

Wall Street banker Steven Mnuchin was named finance chair of the Trump campaign in May 2016.{{cite news |last1=Sorkin |first1=Andrew Ross |title=Unlikely Fund-Raiser for Trump and Party (hardcopy) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/10/business/dealbook/donald-trumps-pick-for-fund-raiser-is-rife-with-contradictions.html |access-date=May 10, 2016 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=May 10, 2016}} In May 2016, the campaign established the Trump Victory Committee to enable joint fundraising with the Republican National Committee and eleven state parties; longtime Republican financiers Diane Hendricks, Woody Johnson, Mel Sembler, Ray Washburne, and Ron Weiser (all of whom backed other candidates during the Republican primary) agreed to serve as vice chairs of the committee.Matea Gold, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gop-fundraisers-once-mocked-by-trump-now-rallying-to-support-his-bid/2016/05/24/e48ace7a-21d4-11e6-9e7f-57890b612299_story.html GOP fundraisers once mocked by Trump now rallying to support his bid], The Washington Post (May 24, 2016).Rebecca Ballhaus, [https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2016/05/24/longtime-republican-backers-join-donald-trump-rnc-fundraising-effort/ Longtime Republican Backers Join Donald Trump-RNC Fundraising Effort], The Wall Street Journal (May 24, 2016).

In May 2016, casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson announced that he would spend $100 million in support of Trump's election.Nina Burleigh, [http://www.newsweek.com/sheldon-adelson-donald-trump-donor-windfall-460470 Why Sheldon Adelson's Support of Donald Trump Won't Mean a Windfall of Donors], Newsweek (May 16, 2016).{{cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Martin |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/14/us/politics/sheldon-adelson-donald-trump.html |title=Sheldon Adelson Is Poised to Give Donald Trump a Donation Boost |work=The New York Times |date=May 13, 2016 }} Several months later, the Federal Election Commission had not yet reported any donations to the Trump campaign by Adelson,{{cite news|last=Caldwell|first=Leigh Ann|date=August 22, 2016|title=GOP Kingmaker Sheldon Adelson Continues to Snub Donald Trump|work=NBC News|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/gop-kingmaker-sheldon-adelson-continues-snub-donald-trump-n635636|access-date=September 10, 2016}} but Adelson eventually donated $25 million and was the campaign's largest donor.{{Cite news|last=McFadden|first=Robert D.|date=January 12, 2021|title=Sheldon Adelson, Billionaire Donor to G.O.P. and Israel, Is Dead at 87|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/12/business/sheldon-adelson-dead.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/12/business/sheldon-adelson-dead.html |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |url-access=limited|access-date=January 12, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}{{cbignore}}

A number of large-dollar donors who previously backed other candidates, even some who were once mocked by Trump, changed their minds and joined Trump's campaign. Other prominent Republican megadonors, however, more staunchly opposed Trump and opted to "sit out" the election, withholding their support and financial backing. These include Norman Braman, Paul Singer, Seth Klarman,Nathan Guttman, [http://forward.com/news/national/342808/donald-trump-is-losing-jewish-donors-and-intellectuals-but-will-it-impact-h/ Donald Trump is Losing Jewish Donors and Intellectuals, But Will it Impact His Bottom Line?], Jewish Daily Forward (June 17, 2016). and the Koch Brothers.{{cite web |title=DONALD TRUMP WON'T BE GETTING KOCH BROTHERS MONEY |url=http://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-no-koch-brothers-money-486610 |website=newsweek.com |date=August 2, 2016 |publisher=Newsweek |access-date=September 16, 2016}}

Several Super PACs were founded in support of Trump's campaign in the general election, including Great America PAC, Committee for American Sovereignty, and Rebuilding America Now.{{cite news |last1=Ballhaus |first1=Rebecca |title=Who's Who: Meet the Super PACs Backing Donald Trump |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2016/06/07/whos-who-meet-the-super-pacs-backing-donald-trump/ |access-date=August 9, 2016 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=June 7, 2016}} Vice presidential nominee Mike Pence and former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort both endorsed Rebuilding America Now,{{cite news |last1=Isenstadt |first1=Alex |last2=Vogel |first2=Kenneth |title=Trump blesses major super PAC effort |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/trump-super-pac-donors-225892 |access-date=August 9, 2016 |work=Politico |date=July 20, 2016}} and Trump agreed to headline fundraising events for the organization.{{cite news |last1=Gold |first1=Matea |title=Trump reverses his opposition to super PACs and is now willing to headline events for a big-money group |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/07/21/trump-reverses-his-opposition-to-super-pacs-and-is-now-willing-to-headline-events-for-a-big-money-group/ |access-date=August 9, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=July 21, 2016}}

{{very long|section|date=October 2016}}

File:TrumpCampaign2016 Wilmington 070.jpg in Wilmington, North Carolina]]

At a campaign stop in Wilmington, North Carolina, on August 9, Donald Trump said that Hillary Clinton wanted to "essentially abolish the Second Amendment" because of her support for gun control. He said if she nominates judges to the Supreme Court, there would be nothing that could be done about it, and then added, "Although the Second Amendment people, maybe there is. I don't know".

Trump's comment sparked condemnation from various Democrats and Republicans for being perceived as suggesting violence against Clinton or liberal jurists, instead of suggesting political action. Clinton Campaign spokesman Robby Mook released a statement that said, "what Trump is saying is dangerous", and that a person seeking the presidency "should not suggest violence in any way."{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/10/us/politics/donald-trump-hillary-clinton.html |title=Donald Trump Suggests 'Second Amendment People' Could Act Against Hillary Clinton |date=August 10, 2016 |work=The New York Times |access-date=August 11, 2016}} General Michael Hayden, who is the former head of the CIA, stated that "If someone else had said that outside the hall, he'd be in the back of a police wagon now with the Secret Service questioning him."{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/09/politics/donald-trump-hillary-clinton-second-amendment/index.html |title=Trump: Gun advocates could deal with Clinton |author1=Jeremy Diamond |author2=Stephen Collinson |date=August 9, 2016 |work=CNN}} Secret Service spokesperson Cathy Milhoan said in a statement that the U.S. Secret Service was aware of Trump's comments.{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/10/politics/trump-second-amendment/index.html |title=Secret Service spoke to Trump campaign about 2nd Amendment comment |author1=Tami Luhby |author2=Jim Sciutto |work=CNN|date=August 10, 2016 |access-date=August 11, 2016}} The New York Times opinion writer Thomas Friedman condemned Trump's comment, saying "And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin got assassinated."{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/after-donald-trump-s-second-amendment-comment-there-anything-he-n627501 |title=Is There Anything Donald Trump Can't Say? |work=NBC News |date=August 10, 2016 |access-date=August 11, 2016}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/10/opinion/trumps-ambiguous-wink-wink-to-second-amendment-people.html |title=Trump's Wink Wink to 'Second Amendment People' |date=August 10, 2016 |work=The New York Times |access-date=August 11, 2016}}{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/world-news/u-s-election-2016/.premium-1.736127 |title=American friends, trust an Israeli: Trump's Second Amendment remarks could get someone killed—U.S. Election 2016 |newspaper=Haaretz |access-date=August 11, 2016}}

Politifact noted that some people saw it as a joke about assassination or a reference to political action, while others took it as a threat. Politifact also noted that the premise behind Trump's remark—that Clinton wants to "abolish the Second Amendment"—was factually false.{{cite web |url=http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2016/aug/09/context-donald-trumps-second-amendment-people-comm/ |title=In context: Trump's 'Second Amendment' comment |access-date=August 11, 2016}} The Trump campaign responded with a statement that attributed the comment to the great political power that Second Amendment people have.{{cite web |url=https://www.donaldjtrump.com/press-releases/trump-campaign-statement-on-dishonest-media |title=Show Your Support for Donald Trump |access-date=August 11, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810105539/https://www.donaldjtrump.com/press-releases/trump-campaign-statement-on-dishonest-media |archive-date=August 10, 2016 }} House Speaker Paul Ryan said Trump should clarify what seemed to him a joke gone wrong.{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/trailguide/la-na-trailguide-updates-ryan-says-trump-ought-to-clarify-second-1470798038-htmlstory.html |title=Donald Trump says '2nd Amendment people' can prevent Hillary Clinton from choosing judges |date=August 10, 2016 |access-date=August 11, 2016 |via=Los Angeles Times}} Hillary Clinton responded to Trump's comments by saying, "words matter", and that Trump's comments were part of a long line of casual comments from Trump that had "crossed a line."

In September, Trump repeated the false statement that Clinton wanted to abolish the Second Amendment and suggested that Clinton's Secret Service detail disarm themselves and "let's see what happens".{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2016/09/16/trump-clinton-secret-service-disarm/90523014/ |title=Trump: Clinton's Secret Service should disarm, 'see what happens to her' |website=USA Today }} The comments were interpreted by many commentators as an incitement to violence.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/17/us/politics/donald-trump-hillary-clinton.html |title=Donald Trump Says Hillary Clinton's Bodyguards Should Disarm to 'See What Happens to Her' |date=September 17, 2016 |work=The New York Times}}

During the 2016 Democratic National Convention, one of the speakers was Khizr Khan, a Muslim U.S. citizen who immigrated from Pakistan in 1980. Khan is the father of Captain Humayun Khan, a U.S. soldier who was killed in Iraq in 2004 by a suicide bomber, and later awarded the Bronze Star Medal and a Purple Heart. Khan spoke about his son and criticized Trump for his Muslim ban proposals, asking if Trump had ever read the U.S. Constitution, and offering to give him a copy. He stated that Trump had "sacrificed nothing and no one."{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/29/us/elections/khizr-humayun-khan-speech.html |title=In Tribute to Son, Khizr Khan Offered Citizenship Lesson at Convention |last=Oppel |first=Richard A. Jr. |date=July 29, 2016 |work=The New York Times |access-date=August 1, 2016}}

The following Sunday on ABC's This Week with George Stephanopoulos, Trump was asked about Khan. Trump replied that Khan was, "you know, very emotional and probably looked like a nice guy to me."{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/donald-trump-father-fallen-soldier-ive-made-lot/story?id=41015051 |title=Donald Trump to Father of Fallen Soldier: 'I've Made a Lot of Sacrifices |last=Turnham |first=Steve |date=July 30, 2016 |work=ABC News |access-date=August 1, 2016}} Trump went on to wonder why Khizr Khan's wife Ghazala, who stood silently by her husband's side during his speech, did not speak and speculated that she might not have been allowed to speak. (Ghazala later responded by stating that at the time she was too emotional to speak.) When Trump was asked what he had sacrificed for his country, he told Stephanopoulos, "I think I've made a lot of sacrifices. I work very, very hard. I've created thousands and thousands of jobs, tens of thousands of jobs, built great structures. I've had tremendous success." Trump also cited his work on behalf of veterans, including helping build a Vietnam War memorial in Manhattan and raising "millions of dollars" for veterans.

Trump's comments touched off a firestorm of controversy by appearing to belittle the Khans, with public officials and commentators from all sides of the political spectrum arguing that he should show more respect to the parents of a fallen soldier.{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/gop-reacts-donald-trump-s-controversial-remarks-khan-family-n620481 |title=GOP Reacts to Donald Trump's Controversial Remarks on Khan Family |last=Coleburn |first=Christina |date=July 31, 2016 |work=NBC News |access-date=August 6, 2016}}{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mccain-adds-latest-salvo-in-gop-dismay-over-trump-clash-with-khan-family/2016/08/01/10ca7e10-57e8-11e6-831d-0324760ca856_story.html |title=Broad array of military luminaries condemn Trump over attacks on Khan family |last=Sullivan |first=Sean |date=August 1, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=August 2, 2016}} A Fox News poll found that 69 percent of respondents who were familiar with Trump's comments, including 41 percent of Republicans, felt that Trump's response was "out of bounds".{{cite news |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/polls-donald-trump-khan-2016-8 |title=POLLS: Donald Trump's feud with the Khan family was very damaging |last=Smith |first=Allan |date=August 3, 2016 |work=Business Insider |access-date=August 6, 2016}} The Khan controversy, along with Trump's initial refusal to endorse Speaker of the House Paul Ryan for re-election, contributed to significant drops in Trump's poll numbers that week.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/aug/05/donald-trump-campaign-terrible-week-paul-ryan-khan |title=The Trump campaign's terrible week: polls and experts indicate bleak future |last=Jacobs |first=Ben |date=August 5, 2016 |work=The Guardian |access-date=August 6, 2016}}

Trump responded to the criticism on Twitter, stating that Khazir Khan "viciously attacked me" and tweeting: "This story is not about Mr. Khan, who is all over the place doing interviews, but rather RADICAL ISLAMIC TERRORISM and the U.S. Get smart!"{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2016/08/01/488213964/gop-criticism-mounts-as-trump-continues-attacks-on-khan-family |title=GOP Criticism Mounts As Trump Continues Attacks On Khan Family |last=Detrow |first=Scott |date=August 1, 2016 |work=NPR|access-date=August 1, 2016}} Later, Trump released a written statement saying "Captain Humayun Khan was a hero to our country and we should honor all who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our country safe", adding "While I feel deeply for the loss of his son, Mr. Khan, who has never met me, has no right to stand in front of millions of people and claim I have never read the Constitution (which is false), and say many other inaccurate things."{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-pushes-back-against-father-of-fallen-muslim-soldier-1469986267 |title=Donald Trump Pushes Back Against Father of Fallen Muslim Soldier |first=Richard |last=Rubin |date=August 1, 2016 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal}}

When questioned about the Khans during the second presidential debate, Trump claimed that Humayun Khan would be alive had he been president in 2004 and referred to him as an "American hero". The Khans responded by saying that they know that their son is an American hero.{{cite news |last1=Jacobo |first1=Julia |title=Trump: Fallen Soldier Whose Family He Criticized Would 'Be Alive' If He Were President |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-capt-humayun-khan-alive-president-2004/story?id=42692485 |access-date=October 10, 2016 |work=ABC News |date=October 10, 2016}}

In December 2015, Politifact named "the many campaign misstatements of Donald Trump" as its "2015 Lie of the Year", noting at the time that 76 percent of Trump statements rated by the factchecking website were rated "Mostly False, False or Pants on Fire", more than any other politician.Angie Drobnic Holan & Linda Qiu, [http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2015/dec/21/2015-lie-year-donald-trump-campaign-misstatements/ 2015 Lie of the Year: the campaign misstatements of Donald Trump] (December 21, 2015).Eliza Collins, [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/12/donald-trump-politifact-truth-lies-217048 PolitiFact awards Donald Trump its 'Lie of the Year'], Politico (December 25, 2015). Norman Ornstein, a scholar at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, said that "Trump came into an environment that was ripe for bombastic, inflammatory, outrageous statements without having to suffer the consequences", citing the rise of partisan media, popular desensitization to inflammatory rhetoric, and "the assault on science and expertise" as contributing factors.

In March 2016, Politico Magazine analyzed 4.6 hours of Trump stump speeches and press conferences over a five-day period and found "more than five dozen statements deemed mischaracterizations, exaggerations, or simply false."Daniel Lippman, Darren Samuelsohn & Isaac Arnsdorf, [http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/03/trump-fact-check-errors-exaggerations-falsehoods-213730 Trump's Week of Errors, Exaggerations and Flat-out Falsehoods], Politico Magazine (March 13, 2016). Lucas Graves, a professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Journalism & Mass Communication, observed that Trump often speaks in a suggestive way that makes it unclear what exactly he meant and, in this regard, warned fact checkers "to be really careful{{nbsp}}... to pick things that can be factually investigated and that reflect what the speaker was clearly trying to communicate."Graves, Lucas. [https://www.wortfm.org/lucasgraves/ {{"'}}Deciding What's True' with Lucas Graves"], WORT (August 10, 2016). This is an audio interview of Graves, author of Deciding What's True: The Rise of Political Fact-Checking in American Journalism (Columbia University Press 2016). Note particularly the portion of audio beginning at 50:30.

Trump's frequent praise for foreign leaders accused of being either authoritarian or totalitarian prompted significant criticism from members of both major political parties.{{cite news |author=Gregory Krieg |work=CNN|title=Donald Trump's soft spot for dictators |date=July 6, 2016 |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/06/politics/donald-trump-favorite-dictators-and-strongmen/ |quote=From Vladimir Putin to Saddam Hussein, Donald Trump has regularly and openly expressed his admiration for a rogues' gallery of foreign dictators and autocrats. Does he have a soft spot for strongmen?{{nbsp}}... Critics have called it a fixation and a window into how Trump would govern if elected.}}{{cite news |author=Jose A. DelReal |title=Trump's favorite dictators: In reviled tyrants, GOP nominee finds traits to praise |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trumps-favorite-dictators-in-reviled-tyrants-gop-nominee-finds-traits-to-praise/2016/07/06/8debf792-4385-11e6-bc99-7d269f8719b1_story.html |date=July 6, 2016 |quote=Donald Trump's regular praise for authoritarian governments and dictators has come under fresh scrutiny this week following his latest laudatory comments about the late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, whose human rights abuses and support for international terrorism made him a top enemy of the United States for decades.}}{{cite news |author=Meghan Keneally |title=5 Controversial Dictators and Leaders Donald Trump Has Praised |work=ABC News |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/controversial-dictators-leaders-donald-trump-praised/story?id=40373481 |date=July 6, 2016 |quote=Donald Trump's favorable mention of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein on Tuesday is just the latest in a string of compliments he has paid to global strongmen.}}

Trump frequently praised Russia's Vladimir Putin, calling him a strong leader, "unlike what we have in this country,"{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/18/politics/donald-trump-praises-defends-vladimir-putin/ |title=Donald Trump lavishes praise on 'leader' Putin |last=Diamond |first=Jeremy |date=December 18, 2015 |work=CNN |access-date=July 23, 2016}} "a man so highly respected within his own country and beyond,"{{cite news |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/putin-praises-trump-224485 |title=Putin repeats praise of Trump: He's a 'bright' person |last=Pager |first=Tyler |date=June 17, 2016 |work=Politico |access-date=July 23, 2016}} and wondered if "he will become my new best friend."Trump, Donald J. (realDonaldTrump). [https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/347191326112112640 "Do you think Putin will be going to The Miss Universe Pageant in November in Moscow—if so, will he become my new best friend?"] June 18, 2013, 8:17 p.m. Tweet. He continued to praise Putin throughout the campaign, comparing him favorably to Obama, hailing Russia as an ally in fighting ISIS, and downplaying any suggestion that Russia had behaved aggressively in the world.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-calls-for-defense-sequester-to-end/2016/09/07/7dda8548-7513-11e6-be4f-3f42f2e5a49e_story.html |title=Trump praises Putin at national security forum |date=September 8, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=October 21, 2016}} He also dismissed the assertion by U.S. intelligence officials that Russia is responsible for the computer hacking of Democratic party organizations and individuals.{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/trump-again-says-u-s-doesn-t-know-if-russia-n670186 |title=Trump Says He Doubts U.S. Intel Officials On Russian Hacking |last=Dilanian |first=Ken |date=October 20, 2016 |work=NBC News |access-date=October 21, 2016}} Trump called for closer relations with Russia and "has surrounded himself with a team of advisers who have had financial ties to Russia."{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/inside-trumps-financial-ties-to-russia-and-his-unusual-flattery-of-vladimir-putin/2016/06/17/dbdcaac8-31a6-11e6-8ff7-7b6c1998b7a0_story.html |title=Inside Trump's financial ties to Russia and his unusual flattery of Vladimir Putin |date=June 17, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=October 21, 2016}}

In January 2016, Trump commented on North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, first saying he's a "maniac", but then stating "you gotta give him credit" for the "incredible" way he eliminated his opponents to take charge of the country.{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-north-korean-leader-kim-jong-gotta-give/story?id=36198345 |title=Trump on North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un: 'You Gotta Give Him Credit' |last=McMurry |first=Evan |date=January 10, 2016 |work=ABC News |access-date=July 23, 2016}}

During the Republican debate on March 10, 2016, Trump stirred controversy by saying that the Chinese government's 1989 massacre of unarmed civilians in Tiananmen Square was "horrible" and "vicious" but also "shows you the power of strength." When challenged, he said he was not endorsing the massacre and proceeded to characterize the protest as a riot: "I was not endorsing it. I said that is a strong, powerful government that put it down with strength. And then they kept down the riot. It was a horrible thing. It doesn't mean at all I was endorsing it."{{cite news |last1=Rauhala |first1=Emily |title=Trump just called Tiananmen Square a 'riot'. The Communist Party will be pleased. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/03/11/trump-just-called-tiananmen-square-a-riot-the-communist-party-will-be-pleased/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 11, 2016}}

At a July 5 campaign rally, Trump again raised controversy by praising Saddam Hussein for being good at killing terrorists, saying Hussein was "a really bad guy" but "you know what he did well? He killed terrorists. He did that so good. They didn't read them the rights. They didn't talk. They were terrorists. It was over." The New York Times said that Trump's descriptions "are not grounded in fact", noting that Saddam Hussein's Iraq itself had been listed as a state sponsor of terrorism.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/06/us/politics/donald-trump-saddam-hussein.html |title=Donald Trump Praises Saddam Hussein for Being 'Good' at Killing Terrorists |last=Parker |first=Ashley |date=July 6, 2016 |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 23, 2016}}{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/05/politics/donald-trump-saddam-hussein-iraq-terrorism/ |title=Trump praises Saddam Hussein's efficient killing of 'terrorists', calls today's Iraq 'Harvard for terrorism' |last=Diamond |first=Jeremy |date=July 6, 2016 |work=CNN |access-date=July 23, 2016}} Terrorism expert Peter Bergen defended Trump: "Saddam Hussein repressed terrorist groups, as he did all forms of rebellion and dissent ... Trump's claim that following the fall of Saddam, Iraq has emerged as the 'Harvard' of terrorism is correct because Zarqawi in 2004 merged his terrorist group with al Qaeda to create "Al Qaeda in Iraq," which is the parent organization of today's ISIS."{{cite web |author-link=Peter Bergen |last1=Bergen |first1=Peter |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/06/opinions/trump-comments-on-saddam-opinion-bergen/ |title=Trump Gets it Right on Saddam |work=CNN |date=July 7, 2016 |access-date=November 4, 2016}} In October Trump said that both Iraq and Libya would be better off if their deposed dictators, Saddam and Muammar Gaddafi, were still in power, and in December he described Saddam's use of poison gas against civilians as "throwing a little gas".{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/donald-trump-praises-saddam-hussein-s-approach-terrorism-again-n604411 |title=Donald Trump Praises Saddam Hussein's Approach to Terrorism—Again |last=Vitali |first=Ali |date=July 6, 2016 |work=NBC News |access-date=July 23, 2016}}[https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4609938/trump-saddam-throws-little-gas "CLIP OF DONALD TRUMP CAMPAIGN RALLY IN HILTON HEAD, SOUTH CAROLINA"], C-Span (December 30, 2015). His July{{nbsp}}5 comments were widely criticized. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan dissociated himself from the remarks, and a spokesman for Hillary Clinton said "Donald Trump's praise for brutal strongmen seemingly knows no bounds."{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/07/05/donald-trump-praises-saddam-hussein-for-killing-terrorists-so-good/ |title=Donald Trump praises Saddam Hussein for killing terrorists 'so good' |last=Johnson |first=Jenna |date=July 5, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=July 23, 2016}}

Asked about the failed 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt, Trump praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, saying, "I give great credit to him for being able to turn that around."{{cite news |url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/i-give-erdogan-great-credit-for-turning-the-coup-around-trump-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=101949&NewsCatID=358 |title=I give Erdoğan great credit for turning the coup around: Trump |date=July 22, 2016 |work=Hürriyet Daily News}}

Trump has praised Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. During the October 9 debate, Trump stated that he didn't like Assad, but also praised him, Russia, and Iran for their fight against ISIS.{{Cite web |last=Crowley |first=Michael |date=October 10, 2016 |title=Trump's praise of Russia, Iran and Assad regime riles GOP experts |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/10/trump-praise-russia-iran-assad-criticism-229546 |access-date=October 26, 2024 |website=Politico}}

During his campaign, Trump frequently gave voice to fringe or conspiracy theories.{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/05/03/donald-trump-ted-cruz-father-jfk/ | title=Donald Trump Accuses Ted Cruz's Father of Associating with Kennedy Assassin | website=The New York Times | date=May 3, 2016 }}Joseph E. Uscinski, [http://www.newsweek.com/welcome-conspiracy-theory-election-456654 Welcome to the Conspiracy Theory Election], Newsweek (May 7, 2016).Maggie Haberman, [https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/01/us/politics/donald-trump-conspiracy-theories.html Even as He Rises, Donald Trump Entertains Conspiracy Theories], The New York Times (February 29, 2016).Benjy Sarlin, [https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/donald-trump-s-long-history-conspiracy-theories-n567076 Donald Trump's Long History of Conspiracy Theories], NBC News (May 3, 2016). Professor Joseph Uscinski, the co-author of American Conspiracy Theories, writes that Trump made "unabashed" and "deft and almost daily use of{{nbsp}}... conspiracy narratives" on the campaign trail. According to political writer Steve Benen, unlike past political leaders, Trump did not keep fringe theories and their supporters at arm's length.Benen, Steve. [https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/conspiracy-theorist-and-his-powerful-pals "A conspiracy theorist and his powerful pals"], MSNBC (December 3, 2015).Shafer, Jack. [http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/04/did-media-reporters-create-trump-2016-campaign-213840 "Did We Create Trump?"], Politico (May 2016): "Trump's outrageous comments about John McCain, Muslims, the 14th Amendment and all the rest{{nbsp}}..."Trump, Donald. The Art of the Deal, p. 56 (1987): "If you are a little different, or a little outrageous, or if you do things that are bold or controversial, the press is going to write about you."

Trump, for example, promoted the discredited belief that vaccines can cause autism unless administered according to a lengthened schedule.Mahoney, Emily. [https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/fact-check/2015/10/16/donald-trump-spaced-out-vaccines-reduce-autism-fact-check/72828934/ Fact Check: Donald Trump's claim on spaced-out vaccines, autism rate], Arizona Republic (October 16, 2015). He alluded to the unfounded notion that President Obama is secretly a Muslim. Trump also speculated that Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's death by natural causes was murder.Pearce, Matt. [https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-scalia-conspiracy-20160217-story.html "Scalia's death and lack of an autopsy bring out the conspiracy theorists"], Los Angeles Times (February 16, 2016).

{{main|Tax returns of Donald Trump}}

{{See also|United States presidential election#Financial disclosures}}

File:TrumpCampaign2016 Wilmington 071.jpg

Trump did not release his personal income tax returns, as nominees traditionally do, and said he does not plan to do so before the November election.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/05/11/donald-trump-breaks-with-recent-history-by-not-releasing-tax-returns/ |title=Donald Trump Breaks With Recent History by Not Releasing Tax Returns |last=Rappeport |first=Alan |date=May 11, 2016 |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 18, 2016}} Before declaring for president he said he would "absolutely" release them if he decided to run for office. Early in the 2016 primary process he promised to put out "very big, very beautiful" returns. He offered various reasons for not giving out the information. He says his lawyers told him not to release the returns because they are being audited. He contends that voters are not interested and "there's nothing to learn from them". He told one interviewer that his tax rate is "none of your business".{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trumps-income-tax-returns-once-became-public-they-showed-he-didnt-pay-a-cent/2016/05/20/ffa2f63c-1b7c-11e6-b6e0-c53b7ef63b45_story.html |title=Trump once revealed his income tax returns. They showed he didn't pay a cent. |last=Harwell |first=Drew |date=May 21, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=July 18, 2016}} There is no requirement that presidential candidates release their tax returns but candidates are legally free to do so even when under audit.{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/05/11/donald-trump-breaks-with-recent-history-by-not-releasing-tax-returns/ | title=Donald Trump Breaks with Recent History by Not Releasing Tax Returns | website=The New York Times | date=May 11, 2016 }}{{cite news |url=http://lawnewz.com/politics/legal-experts-side-with-trump-it-would-be-totally-stupid-to-release-his-taxes-during-audit/ |title=Legal Experts Side With Trump; It Would Be Crazy to Release His Taxes During Audit |last=Stockman |first=Rachel |date=May 13, 2016 |work=Law Newz |access-date=July 19, 2016}} Tax lawyers differ as to whether releasing tax returns is legally advisable for someone like Trump who is under audit.Stewart, Emily. [https://www.thestreet.com/story/13687015/1/would-no-tax-lawyer-advise-trump-release-his-tax-returns-it-s-complicated.html "Would No Tax Lawyer Advise Trump Release His Tax Returns? It's Complicated"], TheStreet.com (August 27, 2016). According to NPR, tax experts such as New York University Law School professor Daniel Shaviro say that "Trump's lawyers may advise him not to release the returns for legal strategy purposes."Zarroli, Jim. [https://www.npr.org/2016/02/26/468278769/fact-check-donald-trump-cant-release-his-taxes-while-being-audited "Fact-Check: Donald Trump Can't Release His Taxes While Being Audited?"], NPR (February 26, 2016).

{{See also|Donald Trump on social media}}

File:Twitter activity of Donald Trump.png

Donald Trump's prolific use of Twitter, which he started using in March 2009, earned him millions of followers. His almost daily use of social media as a vehicle for connecting to his audience is unprecedented as a campaign tool. On November 22, 2015, Trump retweeted an image containing racially charged and inaccurate crime data between blacks and whites, cited to a non-existent group.{{cite web |title=Trump Retweets Bogus Crime Graphic |author=Robert Farley |date=November 24, 2015 |url=http://www.factcheck.org/2015/11/trump-retweets-bogus-crime-graphic/ |publisher=FactCheck.org}}Jon Greenberg, [http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2015/nov/23/donald-trump/trump-tweet-blacks-white-homicide-victims/ Trump's Pants on Fire tweet that blacks killed 81% of white homicide victims], Politifact (November 23, 2015).Eric Bradner, [http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/22/politics/donald-trump-black-crime-police-retweet/ Trump retweets fake, racially charged crime data from non-existent group], CNN (November 23, 2015). According to Newsweek, the image appeared to originate with a neo-Nazi Twitter account.Taylor Wofford, [http://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-racist-retweet-twitter-397567 Donald Trump Retweets Racist Propaganda], Newsweek (November 23, 2015). When later asked by Bill O'Reilly about his sharing of the image, Trump confirmed that he had personally retweeted the image and said that it came from "sources that are very credible." FactCheck.org reported that the image was a "bogus graphic."

On February 28, Trump re-tweeted a Mussolini quote that had been posted from a parody bot created by Gawker: "It is better to live one day as a lion than 100 years as a sheep".{{cite web |last=Pareene |first=Alex |url=http://gawker.com/how-we-fooled-donald-trump-into-retweeting-benito-musso-1761795039 |title=How We Fooled Donald Trump Into Retweeting Benito Mussolini |work=Gawker |date=February 28, 2016 |access-date=July 4, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160627191441/http://gawker.com/how-we-fooled-donald-trump-into-retweeting-benito-musso-1761795039 |archive-date=June 27, 2016 }} When informed that the source of the quote was Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, Trump responded that the origin of the quote made no difference because "it's a very good quote."{{cite news |last1=Haberman |first1=Maggie |title=Donald Trump Retweets Post With Quote From Mussolini |url=https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/02/28/donald-trump-retweets-post-likening-him-to-mussolini/ |newspaper=The New York Times |date=February 28, 2016}}

On July 2, 2016, Trump tweeted a picture originally created as a meme by white supremacists.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/05/us/politics/hillary-clintons-campaign-calls-donald-trumps-star-of-david-tweet-anti-semitic.html |title=Hillary Clinton's Campaign Calls Donald Trump's Star of David Tweet Anti-Semitic |work=The New York Times |author=Katie Rogers |date=July 4, 2016 |access-date=July 6, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.mic.com/articles/147711/donald-trump-s-star-of-david-hillary-clinton-meme-was-created-by-white-supremacists|title=Donald Trump's Star of David Hillary Clinton Meme Was Created by White Supremacists|website=Mic|date=July 3, 2016 }}{{cite news |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/07/03/trump-s-hillary-meme-was-made-by-racist-twitter-user.html |title=Trump's Star of David Hillary Meme Was Made by Racist Twitter User|website=The Daily Beast|date=July 3, 2016 |last1=Resnick |first1=Gideon }} The tweet featured a photo of Clinton next to a star-shaped badge saying "Most Corrupt Candidate Ever!" with a background of $100 bills. The six-pointed star was interpreted as a Star of David and the tweet denounced as "blatantly anti-semitic" by many observers, ranging from the Hillary Clinton campaign to the Anti-Defamation League to House Speaker Paul Ryan.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/05/us/politics/hillary-clintons-campaign-calls-donald-trumps-star-of-david-tweet-anti-semitic.html |title=Hillary Clinton's Campaign Calls Donald Trump's Star of David Tweet Anti-Semitic |last=Rogers |first=Katie |date=July 4, 2016 |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 6, 2016}}Kornbluh, Jacob. [http://www.jewishjournal.com/election2016/article/ryan_on_star_of_david_tweet_trump_shouldve_known_better "Ryan on Star of David tweet: Trump should've known better."] Jewish Journal. July 5, 2016. However, Trump's former campaign director Corey Lewandowski dismissed the attacks as "political correctness run amok" and compared the star to a sheriff's badge.{{cite web |last=Robillard |first=Kevin |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/corey-lewandowski-star-david-donald-trump-225072 |title=Lewandowski blames Star of David blowup on 'political correctness' |work=Politico|date=July 3, 2016 |access-date=July 3, 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/02/politics/donald-trump-tweet-graphic-star-hillary-clinton/index.html |title=Trump tweet evoking anti-Semitic imagery first posted on fringe message board |date=July 3, 2016 |access-date=July 2, 2016 |author=Diamond, Jeremy |work=CNN}} The Trump campaign took down the image, then re-uploaded it with a circle replacing the star. However, the re-uploading of the image included the hashtag "#AmericaFirst", and so was criticized by many pundits as evoking the name of the America First Committee, the name of a fascist organization in the United States that urged appeasement with Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany in the Second World War.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-tweet-with-star-of-david-draws-social-media-backlash/ |title=Donald Trump tweet with Star of David draws social media backlash |author=Flores, Reena |date=July 2, 2016 |access-date=July 2, 2016 |publisher=CBS}}{{cite web |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/donald-trump-hillary-clinton-star-david-225058 |title=Trump tweets image depicting Clinton, cash and the Star of David |author=East, Kristen |date=July 2, 2016 |access-date=July 2, 2016 |work=Politico}}

{{See also|List of Republicans who opposed the Donald Trump 2016 presidential campaign}}

An open letter from 120[http://warontherocks.com/2016/03/open-letter-on-donald-trump-from-gop-national-security-leaders/ Open Letter on Donald Trump from GOP National Security Leaders], War on the Rocks (March 2, 2016). conservative foreign-policy and national-security leaders, released in March 2016, condemned Trump as "fundamentally dishonest" and unfit to be president.Thomas Gibbons-Neff, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2016/03/02/in-new-letter-republican-{{Not a typo|for|iegn}}-policy-experts-declare-war-on-trump/ Trump is 'fundamentally dishonest' say GOP national security leaders in open letter] {{Dead link|date=November 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, The Washington Post (March 3, 2016).Warren Strobel, Jonathan Landay and Matt Spetalnick, [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-trump-foreignpolicy-idUSMTZSAPEC33FXD386 Republican foreign policy veterans rebuke Trump worldview], Reuters (March 3, 2016). Signatories to the letter included a number of former high-level George W. Bush administration figures, and others, including Eliot A. Cohen, Max Boot, and Daniel W. Drezner.Daniel W. Drezner, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/03/03/the-unique-horror-of-donald-trumps-foreign-policy-and-why-i-signed-a-letter-opposing-it/ The unique horror of Donald Trump's foreign policy and why I signed a letter opposing it], The Washington Post (March 3, 2016). Critics noted that the signers of the letter are "the exact type of establishment Republicans against whom Trump has been railing."

Also in March 2016, another group of foreign policy experts published a letter in Foreign Policy magazine, entitled "Defending the Honor of the U.S. Military from Donald Trump", against Trump's statements that he would direct the military to torture suspected terrorists and their families and target the families of terrorists and other civilians, stating that "every reputable legal expert we know has deemed [these activities] illegal."{{Cite web |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2016/03/04/defending-the-honor-of-the-u-s-military-from-donald-trump/ |title=Defending the Honor of the U.S. Military From Donald Trump |website=Foreign Policy|date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=March 20, 2016}} The letter was signed by both neoconservatives and prominent realists, such as Andrew J. Bacevich and Richard K. Betts.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/13/opinion/sunday/the-neocons-vs-donald-trump.html |title=The Neocons vs. Donald Trump |work=The New York Times |date=March 10, 2016 |last1=Heilbrunn |first1=Jacob }}

Several incumbent Republican members of Congress announced they would not vote for Trump. South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham says he will not vote for either Trump or Clinton in the fall and urged other Republicans to "un-endorse" Trump.{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/06/politics/lindsey-graham-donald-trump-hillary-clinton-not-vote/ |title=Lindsey Graham won't vote for Trump or Clinton in 2016 |last=Bash |first=Dana |date=May 6, 2016 |work=CNN |access-date=August 7, 2016}}{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/lindsey-graham-donald-trump_us_575700fee4b0ca5c7b5038c2 |title=Lindsey Graham Wants Republicans To Unendorse Donald Trump |last=Lavender |first=Page |date=June 7, 2016 |work=HuffPost |access-date=August 7, 2016}} Illinois Senator Mark Kirk said he plans to write in a name, possibly David Petraeus or Colin Powell.{{cite news |url=http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/sen-mark-kirk-changes-his-vote-for-president-anti-trump-tammy-duckworth-387682231.html |title=Sen. Mark Kirk Changes His Vote for President After Criticism Over Write-In |last=Schuba |first=Tom |date=July 20, 2016 |work=NBC Chicago |access-date=August 7, 2016}} New York Rep. Richard Hanna, who is retiring at the end of this term, was the first Republican to say he will vote for Hillary Clinton.{{cite news |url=http://www.newyorkupstate.com/news/2016/08/gop_rep_richard_hanna_says_hell_vote_for_hillary_clinton.html |title=GOP Rep. Richard Hanna: I'll vote for Clinton; first House member to cross party line |last=Weiner |first=Mark |date=August 2, 2016 |work=New York Upstate |access-date=August 7, 2016}} Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger said Trump "for me is beginning to cross a lot of red lines in the unforgivable on politics" and he will vote for a write-in candidate or not vote.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gop-rep-adam-kinzinger-says-he-cant-support-donald-trump/ |title=GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger says he can't support Donald Trump |last=Shabad |first=Rebecca |date=August 4, 2016 |work=CBS News |access-date=August 7, 2016}} Pennsylvania Rep. Charlie Dent said Trump crossed "a bridge too far"; he plans to vote for a write-in candidate.{{cite news |url=http://www.mcall.com/news/local/elections/mc-pa-charlie-dent-vote-trump-clinton-20160803-story.html |title=Charlie Dent on not voting for Trump: He's crossed 'a bridge too far' |last=Olson |first=Laura |date=August 3, 2016 |work=The Morning Call |access-date=August 7, 2016 |archive-date=August 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812103315/http://www.mcall.com/news/local/elections/mc-pa-charlie-dent-vote-trump-clinton-20160803-story.html |url-status=dead }} Virginia Rep. Scott Rigell, also retiring at the end of this term, said he will vote for Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/08/06/republican-rep-scott-rigell-says-he-supports-libertarian-gary-johnson-for-president/ |title=Republican Rep. Scott Rigell says he supports Libertarian Gary Johnson for president |last=Portnoy |first=Jenna |date=August 6, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=August 7, 2016}}

A letter from 50 Republican national security officials was published on August 8. The senior officials, who included former White House officials and Cabinet secretaries, said Trump "lacks the character, values, and experience" to be president.{{cite web |last1=Wilkie |first1=Christina |title=50 Republican National Security Officials Eviscerate Trump in Open Letter |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-national-security_us_57a8d2dce4b0aae2a5a0ba36 |website=HuffPost |publisher=TheHuffingtonPost.com |date=August 8, 2016 |quote=Trump 'would be the most reckless President in American history', they write.}}{{Cite web|url=https://doc-0o-9c-apps-viewer.googleusercontent.com/viewer/secure/pdf/geq08fjtiu763j6vtr723u92e9078vhf/2louikq3b51elh62a6gnj96guimfk4h0/1470787800000/lantern/00790276663516429489/ACFrOgBIelx2TwOYb7vnpwRsoN-ZVKaBLN48hX6ZtykvjO46cpvcKUxxy6wHeEZKC0nkmIzRnHe6kCE8fZxoA-_sIPqXV7UKCp42aZY26EGTpNf2ws3osR5jujTttP8=?print=true&nonce=4npi5it39mh3k&user=00790276663516429489&hash=psrhn2p9t3fivsl2b9pci15oh7o565jv|title=Statement by Former National Security Officials}} {{dead link|date=July 2023}} Trump responded the same day, saying "The names on this letter are the ones the American people should look to for answers on why the world is a mess, and we thank them for coming forward so everyone in this country knows who deserves the blame for making the world such a dangerous place."{{cite news |last1=Hensch |first1=Mark |title=Trump slams GOP officials' national security letter |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/290801-trump-slams-gop-leaders-national-security-letter/ |work=The Hill |publisher=Capital Hill Publishing Corp. |date=August 8, 2016}}

{{Main|Trump University|Cohen v. Trump (Trump University)}}

Trump University, and Trump himself, were involved during the campaign in three ongoing lawsuits alleging fraudulent business practices. One of the suits was scheduled to be heard in San Diego in November, three weeks after the general election. In late July, the judge hearing that case denied a motion to dismiss it.{{cite news |last1=Christie |first1=Jim |title=Trump loses bid to end Trump University lawsuit before trial |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-trump-university-idUSKCN10D2O8 |work=Reuters |date=August 3, 2016 |access-date=August 4, 2016}} Shortly after Trump won the presidency, the parties agreed to a settlement of all three pending cases. In the settlement, Trump did not admit to any wrongdoing but agreed to pay a total of $25 million.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/19/us/politics/trump-university.html |title=Donald Trump Agrees to Pay $25 Million in Trump University Settlement |last=Eder |first=Steve |date=November 18, 2016 |work=The New York Times |access-date=November 18, 2016}}{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/donald-trump-nearing-settlement-trump-university-fraud-case-article-1.2878780 |title=Donald Trump Agrees to Pay $25 Million in Trump University Settlement |date=November 18, 2016 |work=New York Daily News |access-date=November 18, 2016}}

The lawsuits were active throughout the campaign and were invoked by Trump's rivals in Republican primary debates.{{Cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-trump-university-lawsuit-donald-trump-20160226-story.html |title=Lawsuits against Trump University claim students paid thousands for nothing |access-date=March 4, 2016 |work=Los Angeles Times}} Hillary Clinton used the Trump University allegations against Trump in speeches and campaign ads.{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/01/politics/hillary-clinton-trump-university/ |title=Clinton blasts Trump University, calls GOP rival a 'fraud' |date=June 1, 2016 |work=CNN |access-date=June 5, 2016}} Trump repeatedly criticized Gonzalo P. Curiel, the presiding judge in two of the cases, stating that his Mexican heritage serves as a conflict of interest.{{cite news |last1=Kendall |first1=Brent |title=Trump Says Judge's Mexican Heritage Presents 'Absolute Conflict' |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-keeps-up-attacks-on-judge-gonzalo-curiel-1464911442 |access-date=June 7, 2016 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=June 3, 2016}}{{cite news |last1=Finnegan |first1=Michael |work=Los Angeles Times |title=Trump trashes judge overseeing Trump University fraud case, says it's fine that he's Mexican |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-trailguide-05272016-trump-trashes-judge-overseeing-1464393140-htmlstory.html |date=May 27, 2016 |access-date=May 29, 2016}} During a June 3, 2016, interview with Jake Tapper of CNN, Tapper asked Trump what Curiel's rulings have to do with his heritage. Trump answered, "I've been treated very unfairly by this judge. Now, this judge is of Mexican heritage. I'm building a wall, OK? I'm building a wall."[https://web.archive.org/web/20160604183226/http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2016/06/03/tapper-to-trump-is-that-not-the-definition-of-racism/ Tapper to Trump "...{{nbsp}}is that not the definition of racism?"], CNN (June 3, 2016). Trump also suggested that Curiel is a friend of a lawyer for one of the plaintiffs, to which the lawyer responded that they had not been friends in any "social" setting.{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-keeps-up-attacks-on-judge-gonzalo-curiel-1464911442 |title=Trump Says Judge's Mexican Heritage Presents 'Absolute Conflict'. Republican's charge that Judge Gonzalo Curiel has a conflict of interest draws criticism from some legal observers |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |last=Kendall |first=Brent |date=June 3, 2016|access-date=June 4, 2016}}

Legal experts criticized Trump's comments,Jose A. DelReal & Katie Zezima, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2016/06/01/437ccae6-280b-11e6-a3c4-0724e8e24f3f_story.html Trump's personal, racially tinged attacks on federal judge alarm legal experts], The Washington Post (June 1, 2016). and Paul Ryan, who had endorsed Trump for president, disavowed the comments, saying that they were racist.{{cite news |last1=Walsh |first1=Deirdre Walsh |last2=Raju |first2=Manu |title=Ryan: Trump's 'textbook definition of a racist comment' |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/06/07/politics/paul-ryan-donald-trump-racist-comment/ |access-date=June 7, 2016 |work=CNN|date=June 7, 2016}} Meanwhile, Governor Chris Christie defended Trump's comments, saying that Trump was not a "pre-programmed robotic politician".{{cite news |last1=Arco |first1=Matt |title=Christie defends Trump over judge comments: He 'is not a racist' |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/06/christie_trump_is_not_a_racist.html |access-date=June 7, 2016 |work=NJ.com |date=June 7, 2016}}{{cite news |last1=Jordan |first1=Bob |title=Chris Christie says Donald Trump is not a racist |url=http://www.app.com/story/news/politics/new-jersey/chris-christie/2016/06/07/christie-says-trump-racist/85551082/ |access-date=June 7, 2016 |work=Asbury Park Press |date=June 7, 2016}}

Trump also accused Curiel of bias because of his membership in La Raza Lawyers of California, a professional association of Hispanic attorneys.Flores, Reena. [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-its-possible-muslim-judge-would-treat-me-unfairly/ "Trump: 'It's possible' a Muslim judge would be unfair"], CBS News (June 5, 2016).{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2016-06-06/trump-orders-surrogates-to-intensify-criticism-of-judge-and-journalists |title=Trump Orders Surrogates to Intensify Criticism of Judge and Journalists |date=June 6, 2016 |work=Bloomberg |access-date=June 7, 2016}} Former United States Attorney General Alberto Gonzales wrote on June{{nbsp}}4 that some of Trump's aides alleged a link between the La Raza Lawyers of California and an advocacy organization called the National Council of La Raza, which had organized protests at Trump rallies: "The two groups are unaffiliated, and Curiel is not a member of NCLR. But Trump may be concerned that the lawyers' association or its members represent or support the other advocacy organization".Gonzales, Alberto. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/06/04/alberto-r-gonzales-trump-has-a-right-to-question-whether-hes-getting-a-fair-trial/ "Alberto R. Gonzales: Trump has a right to ask if Judge Gonzalo Curiel is fair"], The Washington Post (June 4, 2016). This is an opinion piece.

On June 7, 2016, Trump said that his criticism of the judge had been "misconstrued" and that his concerns about Curiel's impartiality were not based on ethnicity alone, but rather on rulings in the case.[https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/08/us/politics/trump-university-statement.html "Donald Trump's Statement on Trump University"], The New York Times (June 7, 2016). This includes the full text of the Trump statement. He said that he was not categorically attacking people of Mexican heritage.Sullivan, Sean and DeBonis, Mike. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-says-remarks-about-federal-judges-mexican-heritage-were-misconstrued/2016/06/07/bed477f2-2cd4-11e6-9b37-42985f6a265c_story.html "Trump says remarks about federal judge's Mexican heritage were 'misconstrued'"], The Washington Post (June 7, 2016): "Trump again seemed to allude to a potential association while continuing to suggest that Curiel's Mexican heritage may have affected the judge's decisions."

In 2013 Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi requested a political donation from Trump while her office was "currently reviewing the allegations" in a New York class action suit. The Donald J. Trump Foundation sent her re-election campaign $25,000. Bondi's office decided not to pursue action.{{cite web |last1=LoBianco |first1=Tom |title=Florida AG sought donation before nixing Trump University fraud case |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/10/politics/pam-bondi-donald-trump-donation/ |website=CNN |date=June 11, 2016 |access-date=September 10, 2016}}

The Washington Post reported in September 2016 that foundation was fined $2,500 (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US|value=2500|start_year=2016}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) by the IRS for using the funds to make a political contribution to Bondi's PAC.{{cite web |last=Fahrenhold |first=David |title=Trump pays IRS a penalty for his foundation violating rules with gift to aid Florida attorney general |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/09/01/trump-pays-irs-a-penalty-for-his-foundation-violating-rules-with-gift-to-florida-attorney-general/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=September 10, 2016}}

{{Main|Donald Trump Access Hollywood tape}}

Video and accompanying audio were released by The Washington Post on October 7, 2016, in which Trump referred obscenely to women in a 2005 conversation with Billy Bush while they were preparing to film an episode of Access Hollywood. Trump said that he could grab women "by the pussy" and get away with it, because he is a "star". The audio was met with a reaction of disbelief and disgust from the media.Cassidy, John, [https://www.newyorker.com/news/john-cassidy/a-sexual-predator-in-the-republican-partys-midst "A Sexual Predator in the Republican Party's Midst"], The New Yorker, October 8, 2016.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-recorded-having-extremely-lewd-conversation-about-women-in-2005/2016/10/07/3b9ce776-8cb4-11e6-bf8a-3d26847eeed4_story.html |title=Trump recorded having extremely lewd conversation about women in 2005 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=October 7, 2016}}{{cite web |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-10-07/2005-video-shows-donald-trump-saying-lewd-things-about-women |title=2005 Video Shows Donald Trump Saying Lewd Things About Women |access-date=October 7, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008100545/http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-10-07/2005-video-shows-donald-trump-saying-lewd-things-about-women |archive-date=October 8, 2016 }} Following the revelation, Trump's campaign issued an apology, stating that the video was of a private conversation from "many years ago".{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/trump-hot-mic-when-you-re-star-you-can-do-n662116 |title=Trump on hot mic: 'When you're a star ... You can do anything' to women |website=NBC News |access-date=October 7, 2016}}

{{external media | width = 210px | float = right | video1 = [https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-recorded-having-extremely-lewd-conversation-about-women-in-2005/2016/10/07/3b9ce776-8cb4-11e6-bf8a-3d26847eeed4_story.html Trump recorded having extremely lewd conversation about women in 2005], The Washington Post, 12:44, October 8, 2016

| video2 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycfARBsz6_Y Donald Trump apologizes for sexist comments about groping women], Trump campaign video via PBS Newshour, 1:15, October 7, 2016{{cite web |title=Donald Trump apologizes for sexist comments about groping women |work=Trump campaign video |publisher=PBS Newshour |date=October 7, 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycfARBsz6_Y |access-date=October 8, 2016}} }}

The incident was condemned by numerous prominent Republicans. RNC Chairman Reince Priebus said "No woman should ever be described in these terms or talked about in this manner. Ever." Mitt Romney tweeted "Hitting on married women? Condoning assault? Such vile degradations demean our wives and daughters and corrupt America's face to the world." John Kasich called the remarks "indefensible." Jeb Bush called them "reprehensible."{{cite news |last1=Harrington |first1=Rebecca |title=RNC Chair Reince Priebus condemns Trump for obscene comments about women in 2005 video |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/reince-priebus-statement-trump-2005-video-women-2016-10 |date=October 7, 2016 |access-date=October 8, 2016 |website=Business Insider}} Speaker of the House Paul Ryan disinvited Trump to participate in a campaign event for Ryan in Wisconsin, saying that he was "sickened" by Trump's comments.{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/trailguide/la-na-live-updates-trailguide-paul-ryan-disinvites-trump-to-campaign-1475889847-htmlstory.html |title=Speaker Paul Ryan disinvites Trump to his campaign event, says he's 'sickened' by tape |work=Los Angeles Times |date=October 7, 2016 |access-date=October 7, 2016 |author=Lee, Kurtis}} Three days later Ryan indicated that he would no longer defend or support Trump's presidential campaign, and in a highly unusual move he freed down-ticket congressional members to use their own judgement, saying "you all need to do what's best for you and your district."{{Cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/10/politics/paul-ryan-said-he-wont-defend-donald-trump/index.html |title=Paul Ryan said he won't defend Donald Trump |author1=Manu Raju |author2=Deirdre Walsh |author3=Kevin Liptak |website=CNN|date=October 10, 2016 |access-date=October 10, 2016}} Trump's wife Melania called Trump's words "offensive" and "inappropriate."{{cite news |last=Schultheis |first=Emily |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/melania-trump-my-husband-and-i-are-moving-on-from-2005-tape/ |title=Melania Trump: My husband and I are 'moving on' from 2005 tape |work=CBS News |date=October 17, 2016 |access-date=October 17, 2016 }} By October{{nbsp}}8 several dozen Republicans had called for Trump to withdraw from the campaign and let Pence head the ticket.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/10/07/the-gops-brutal-responses-to-the-new-trump-video-broken-down/ |title=Here's the fast-growing list of Republicans calling for Donald Trump to drop out |last=Blake |first=Aaron |date=October 8, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=October 8, 2016}} Trump insisted he would never drop out.{{cite news |last1=Costa |first1=Robert |title=Amid growing calls to drop out, Trump vows to 'never withdraw' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/amid-growing-calls-to-drop-out-trump-vows-to-never-withdraw/2016/10/08/8c0b5b7a-8d68-11e6-bff0-d53f592f176e_story.html |access-date=October 8, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=October 8, 2016}}

Several hours after the initial report by The Washington Post, the Trump campaign released a video statement in which Trump stated that "Anyone who knows me knows these words don't reflect who I am. I said it, I was wrong, and I apologize."{{cite web |last1=Goldmacher |first1=Shane |title=Donald Trump apologizes for aggressive, crude comments |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/10/donald-trump-apologizes-for-aggressive-crude-comments-229333 |website=Politico|date=October 8, 2016 |access-date=October 8, 2016}} Towards the end of the statement Trump also said that "there is a big difference between the words and actions", and then went on to say that "Bill Clinton has actually abused women and Hillary has bullied, attacked, shamed, and intimidated his victims". This apology was criticized severely by the media and members of the public as being insincere and attempting to divert the problem at hand with unsubstantiated accusations against his political opponents.{{cite news |last1=Haberman |first1=Maggie |title=Donald Trump's Apology That Wasn't |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/08/us/politics/donald-trump-apology.html |website=The New York Times |date=October 8, 2016 |access-date=October 8, 2016}}{{cite web |last1=Lavender |first1=Paige |title=Donald Trump 'Apologizes' In Recording That Looks Like A Hostage Tape |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-women_us_57f8535ae4b0e655eab47f82/ |website=The Huffington Post |date=October 8, 2016 |access-date=October 8, 2016}}{{cite news |last1=Diamond |first1=Jeremy |title=Trump issues defiant apology for lewd remarks—then goes on the attack |newspaper=CNN|date=October 7, 2016 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2016/10/07/politics/donald-trump-women-vulgar/index.html |access-date=October 8, 2016}} Trump replied that "thousands and thousands" of supporters sent him letters after the controversial video was published.

{{Main|Donald Trump sexual misconduct allegations}}

Following the October 7, 2016, revelation of Trump's 2005 remarks during a filming of an Access Hollywood episode and his denial that he had ever actually engaged in the behaviors he described, multiple women came forward with new stories of sexual misconduct, including unwanted kissing and groping. Sources for the stories included The New York Times and People magazine. The stories received widespread national media coverage.{{cite news |last1=Helderman |first1=Rosiland |title=The growing list of women who have stepped forward to accuse Trump of touching them inappropriately |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/the-growing-list-of-women-who-have-stepped-forward-to-accuse-trump-of-touching-them-inappropriately/2016/10/15/a65ddf1c-92df-11e6-9c85-ac42097b8cc0_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=October 16, 2016}}{{cite news |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-accusers-sexual-assault-153559631.html |title=The women who have accused Donald Trump |last=Stableford |first=Dylan |date=October 17, 2016 |work=Yahoo! News |access-date=October 18, 2016}} Also, previous allegations and statements from other women resurfaced. In 1997, Jill Harth filed a lawsuit alleging Trump groped her in "intimate" parts and engaged in "relentless" sexual harassment.{{cite magazine |first=Tierney |last=McAfee |url=http://people.com/politics/donald-trump-jill-harth-women-groped-kissed-consent/ |title=Donald Trump: Jill Harth and More Women Say He Groped and Kissed Them Without Consent |magazine=People |date=October 10, 2016 |access-date=October 13, 2016}} Trump and his campaign denied all of these charges, and Trump claimed to have begun drafting a lawsuit against The New York Times alleging libel.{{cite news |last=Byers |first=Dylan |url=https://money.cnn.com/2016/10/12/media/new-york-times-donald-trump-lawsuit-threat/ |title=Donald Trump threatens to sue New York Times over sexual harassment report |publisher=CNNMoney |date=October 12, 2016 |access-date=October 13, 2016}}{{ cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-demands-nyt-retract-libelous-article-as-new-allegations-of-sexual-assault-emerge |title=Trump demands NYT retracts 'libelous article' about alleged assault as new claims emerge |work=Fox News |date=October 13, 2016 |access-date=October 13, 2016 }} On October 13, Trump denied all of the allegations, referring to them as "false smears" and alleging "a conspiracy against ... the American people".{{cite news |first1=Patrick |last1=Healy |first2=Alan |last2=Rappeport |title=Donald Trump Calls Allegations by Women 'False Smears' |date=October 13, 2016 |access-date=October 13, 2016 |website=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/14/us/politics/donald-trump-women.html}}

Trump, who owned the Miss Universe franchise, was also accused to have walked into dressing rooms of contestants while they were in varying stages of undress without prior notice of his arrival.{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/videos/politics/2016/10/13/tasha-dixon-former-miss-arizona-intv-donald-trump-walking-backstage-naked-sot-lemon-ctn.cnn |title=Ex-beauty queen: Humiliating for Trump to be backstage |work=CNN|date=October 12, 2016 |access-date=October 13, 2016}} Trump said in an interview with Howard Stern in 2005, "no men are anywhere. And I'm allowed to go in because I'm the owner of the pageant. And therefore I'm inspecting it{{nbsp}}... Is everyone OK? You know, they're standing there with no clothes. And you see these incredible-looking women. And so I sort of get away with things like that. [...] I'll go backstage before a show, and everyone's getting dressed and ready and everything else."{{cite web|access-date=September 21, 2021|title=More crude Donald Trump tapes surface from Howard Stern show|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/more-donald-trump-tapes-surface-from-howard-stern-show/|website=CBS News|date=October 9, 2016 }}{{cite book|first1=Laurie Collier|last1=Hillstrom|title=The #MeToo Movement|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-mR2DwAAQBAJ|publisher=ABC-CLIO|date=December 1, 2018|isbn=978-1-4408-6750-7|via=Google Books}}{{cite web|access-date=September 21, 2021|title=Former Miss Arizona says Donald Trump used to 'stroll in' to see naked women in dressing room|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-former-miss-arizona-tasha-dixon-naked-undressed-backstage-howard-stern-a7357866.html|date=October 12, 2016|website=The Independent}}

File:Trump Reluctance To Accept Election Results Campaign Rally.webm

Trump repeatedly insinuated that the election was "rigged" against him, and he sowed doubt about the election certification process. Campaigning in Colorado, Trump claimed that the Democratic Party {{nowrap|"[rigged]}} the election at polling booths".{{Cite book |last1=Bowden |first1=Mark |last2=Teague |first2=Matthew |author-link1=Mark Bowden |year=2022 |title=The Steal: The Attempt to Overturn the 2020 Election and the People Who Stopped It |location=New York City |publisher=Grove Press |isbn=978-0-802-15996-0|page=1}}

During the 2016 Republican primaries, after Trump lost to Ted Cruz in the Iowa Republican caucus, Trump claimed that Cruz perpetrated "fraud" and "stole" the Iowa caucuses, because Cruz's campaign spread a false rumor "minutes before the [caucuses] began" that fellow candidate Ben Carson had dropped out of the race.{{Cite web |last1=Haberman |first1=Maggie |last2=Flegenheimer |first2=Matt |date=2016-02-03 |title=Donald Trump Says Ted Cruz Stole Victory in Iowa Caucuses |url=https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/02/03/donald-trump-says-ted-cruz-stole-victory-in-iowa-caucuses/ |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=The New York Times |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Tennery |first=Amy |date=2016-02-03 |title=Trump accuses Cruz of stealing Iowa caucuses through 'fraud' |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-election-trump-cruz-idUKL2N15I1HF |access-date=2023-02-01}}{{Cite web |last=Byers |first=Dylan |date=2016-02-07 |title=Ted Cruz is wrong about CNN's reporting {{!}} CNN Politics |url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/02/06/politics/ted-cruz-cnn-republican-debate/index.html |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=CNN |language=en}} In the final debate against Hillary Clinton, Trump cast doubt on whether he would accept the results of the election should he lose, saying, "I'll keep you in suspense".{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/10/19/politics/presidential-debate-highlights/ |title=Donald Trump refuses to say whether he'll accept election results |last=Collinson |first=Stephen |date=October 20, 2016 |work=CNN |access-date=October 21, 2016 |archive-date=October 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020182844/http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/19/politics/presidential-debate-highlights/ |url-status=live}} His comment touched off a media and political uproar in which he was accused of "threatening to upend a fundamental pillar of American democracy" and "rais[ing] the prospect that millions of his supporters may not accept the results on November 8 if he loses".{{Cite news |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/oct/19/debate-stunner-trump-wont-say-hell-accept-election/ |title=Debate Stunner: Trump Won't Say He'll Accept Election Result |date=October 20, 2016 |agency=Associated Press |first1=Julie |last1=Pace |first2=Lisa |last2=Lerer |work=The Spokesman-Review |access-date=October 21, 2016}} Rick Hasen described Trump's comments as "appalling and unprecedented" and feared there could be "violence in the streets from his supporters if Trump loses".{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/oct/20/donald-trump-refuse-concede-election-electoral-college |title=What would happen if Donald Trump refused to concede this election? |first=Lauren |last=Gambino |date=October 21, 2016 |work=The Guardian |access-date=November 22, 2020 |archive-date=November 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118014814/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/oct/20/donald-trump-refuse-concede-election-electoral-college |url-status=live}} The next day Trump said, "Of course, I would accept a clear election result, but I would also reserve my right to contest or file a legal challenge in the case of a questionable result". He also stated that he would "totally" accept the election results "if I win".{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/10/20/politics/donald-trump-i-will-totally-accept-election-results-if-i-win/ |title=Donald Trump: 'I will totally accept' election results 'if I win' |last=Diamond |first=Jeremy |date=October 20, 2016 |work=CNN |access-date=October 21, 2016 |archive-date=October 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021013507/https://www.cnn.com/2016/10/20/politics/donald-trump-i-will-totally-accept-election-results-if-i-win/ |url-status=live}}

Trump eventually won the election but lost the popular vote. He went on to claim, without evidence, that he had won the popular vote "if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally",{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38126438 |title=Trump claims millions voted illegally in presidential poll |work=BBC News |date=November 28, 2016 |access-date=December 6, 2020 |archive-date=November 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123120256/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38126438 |url-status=live}} asserting after taking office that around four million illegal immigrants had voted for Clinton.{{Cite news|date=2017-01-26|title=Trump orders wall to be built on Mexico border|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38740717|access-date=2021-12-26}}

In the weeks before the election, Trump urged his supporters to volunteer as poll watchers on Election Day, saying they were needed to guard against "voter fraud" and a "rigged" outcome. The rhetoric was seen as a call to intimidate minority voters or challenge their credentials to prevent them from voting.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/19/us/politics/donald-trump-voting-election-rigging.html |title=Donald Trump's Call to Monitor Polls Raises Fears of Intimidation |last=Gabriel |first=Trip |date=October 18, 2016 |work=The New York Times |access-date=November 4, 2016}}{{cite news |last1=Gambino |first1=Lauren |title=Who's watching the poll watchers: what to expect on general election day |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/oct/20/us-election-2016-poll-watchers-trump-vote-results |access-date=November 6, 2016 |work=The Guardian |date=October 20, 2016}}

Democratic Party officials sued Trump in Arizona, Nevada, Ohio and Pennsylvania, accusing him of voter intimidation, in violation of the 1965 Voters Rights Act and the 1871 Ku Klux Klan Act, with his calls for supporters to monitor polling stations in minority neighborhoods. The Ohio Democratic Party wrote in a legal filing, "Trump has sought to advance his campaign's goal of 'voter suppression' by using the loudest microphone in the nation to implore his supporters to engage in unlawful intimidation," Other lawsuits used similar language.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-intimidation-idUSKBN12V28G |title=Democrats sue Trump for alleged voter intimidation in four states |work=Reuters |first=Andy |last=Sullivan |date=31 October 2016 }} A separate lawsuit in New Jersey accuses the Republican National Committee of cooperating with Trump's "ballot security" activities, which the RNC is prohibited from doing by a 1982 consent decree.{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/judge-orders-republican-national-committee-to-disclose-any-poll-watching-activities-1478016788 |title=Judge Orders Republican National Committee to Disclose Any Poll Watching Activities |last=Tau |first=Byron |date=November 1, 2016 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=November 4, 2016}}

A federal District Court judge in Nevada ordered Trump campaigners to make available any training materials they provided for "poll watchers, poll observers, exit pollsters or any other similarly tasked individuals."{{cite web |url=http://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/trump-camp-nv-gop-ordered-appear-court-voter-intimidation-lawsuit |title=Trump Camp And NV GOP Ordered To Appear In Court In Voter Intimidation Lawsuit |date=November 2, 2016 }} A District Court judge in Pennsylvania denied a request by the state Republican Party to allow poll watching by people from outside the immediate area, which is forbidden by the state election code.{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/304228-judge-rules-against-pa-gop-in-poll-watching-suit/ |title=Judge rules against Pennsylvania GOP in poll watching suit |date=November 3, 2016 |work=The Hill |access-date=November 4, 2016}}

President Barack Obama congratulated Trump on winning the election and stated that although he and Trump had differences of opinion, it is his goal to ensure a smooth transition for the incoming president.{{cite news |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/world-leaders-react-to-donald-trumps-win/ |title=World leaders react to Donald Trump's win |website=PBS NewsHour |author=Larisa Epatko |date=November 9, 2016 |access-date=November 15, 2016}} Trump also received congratulations from Republican primary rivals including Florida Governor Jeb Bush, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, and Ohio Governor John Kasich. Mitt Romney, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush also congratulated him.{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/12/politics/donald-trump-calls/ |title=Trump's old foes offer congratulations |author=Eugene Scott |date=November 13, 2016 |website=CNN |access-date=November 16, 2016}}

{{See also|International reactions to the 2016 United States presidential election}}

File:Shinzō Abe met with President-elect Donald Trump (3).jpg, Prime Minister of Japan, held informal talks with the President-elect on November 17, 2016.]]

Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto offered his congratulations and stated that Mexico will continue to have positive working relationships with the United States.{{cite magazine |url=https://time.com/4563879/donald-trump-president-reactions-world-leaders/ |title=World Leaders React to Donald Trump Winning the U.S Election |author= |date=November 9, 2016 |magazine=Time|access-date=November 15, 2016}} Leaders of the United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, Rwanda, Israel, Palestine, and other countries voiced similar messages.

Chinese President Xi Jinping stated to Trump that he placed "great importance on the China-U.S. relationship, and look[s] forward to working with you to uphold the principles of non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect, and win-win cooperation." Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe said "The stability of the Asia-Pacific region, which is a driving force of the global economy, brings peace and prosperity to the United States. Japan and the United States are unwavering allies tied firmly with the bond of universal values such as freedom, democracy, basic human rights and the rule of law."

{{quote box| align=right|width=33%|text=The strategic partnership between the European Union and the United States is rooted in our shared values of freedom, human rights, democracy and a belief in the market economy{{nbsp}}... Today, it is more important than ever to strengthen transatlantic relations{{nbsp}}... when dealing with unprecedented challenges such as Da'esh, the threats to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, climate change and migration{{nbsp}}... We should spare no effort to ensure that the ties that bind us remain strong and durable.|author=Donald Tusk, President of the European Council}}

German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed that it was "difficult to bear" some of the confrontations during the Trump campaign. She expressed her interest in working with President-elect on shared values, such as respect for individuals irrespective of their religion, gender, or heritage. Merkel stated that the relationship with the U.S. is "a foundation stone of German foreign policy." French President François Hollande said that his country would need to be strong in the face of an upcoming "period of uncertainty{{nbsp}}... What is at stake is peace, the fight against terrorism, the Middle East and the preservation of the planet."

Russian President Vladimir Putin "expressed confidence that the dialogue between Moscow and Washington, in keeping with each other's views, meets the interests of both Russia and the U.S." After stating that the relationships between the United States and Russia had degenerated over time, he declared that "Russia is ready and wants to restore the fully fledged relations with the U.S." Putin said that the engagement should be "based on principles of equality, mutual respect and a real accounting each other's positions."{{ cite news | url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/putin-congratulates-trump-via-telegram-as-world-leaders-react-to-election-victory/ | title=Putin congratulates Trump via telegram as world leaders react to election victory | website=Fox News | date=November 9, 2016 | access-date=November 15, 2016 }}

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that he hoped that the Trump presidency would be a "beneficial" step towards worldwide democracy, liberty, and fundamental rights.

German Justice Minister Heiko Maas tweeted: "The world won't end, but things will get more crazy". Germany's Defence Minister, Ursula von der Leyen, wanted to know if the U.S. would maintain its NATO commitments, since Trump had suggested during his campaign that the U.S. should consider NATO allies' level of military commitment before coming to their aid. Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of NATO, offered his congratulations and welcomed Trump to the NATO Summit in 2017 to discuss how to respond to the "challenging new security environment, including hybrid warfare, cyberattacks, the threat of terrorism."

Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right Front National party, sent her congratulations and exclaimed, {{Language with name/for|fr|peuple américain, libre! |free American people!}} Nigel Farage, the outgoing leader of the UK Independence Party and Brexiter, said he was handing his "mantle" over to Trump. Trump was supported by other right-wing and far-right leaders including in Austria, Germany, Serbia, the Czech Republic, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Italy.{{Cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/09/politics/us-election-the-world-reacts/ |title=Russia's Putin, others pleased as Trump win shocks world |author1=Nicole Gaouette |author2=Elise Labott |author3=Angela Dewan |website=CNN |date=November 9, 2016 |access-date=November 15, 2016}}{{cite news |last1=Ashkenas |first1=Jeremy |last2=Aisch |first2=Gregor |title=European Populism in the Age of Donald Trump |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/12/05/world/europe/populism-in-age-of-trump.html |date=December 5, 2016 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=December 5, 2016}}

{{Main|Protests against Donald Trump#Post-election protests}}

File:March against Trump, New York City (30914239936).jpg|access-date=November 16, 2016}}]]

After the 2016 election, protests against Trump were held in many cities across the United States.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/millennials-march-against-trump-were-not-going-anywhere/ |author=CBS/AP |title=Anti-Trump protests roll into seventh day |website=CBS News |date=November 15, 2016 |access-date=November 16, 2016}} Trump said that some of the protesters were "professional protesters" who were protesting him because they did not know him. Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City, called the protesters "spoiled crybabies".

{{notelist}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{official website}}
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er3gA2xiHsw Donald Trump's Victory Speech]
• [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAql2DyGU2un1Ei2nMYsqOA Official YouTube Channel "Donald J. Trump for President"]
• [http://www.fec.gov/fecviewer/CandidateCommitteeDetail.do?candidateCommitteeId=P80001571&tabIndex=1 Financial information (federal office)] at the Federal Election Commission
• [https://www.c-span.org/person/?donaldtrump Donald J. Trump] on C-SPAN
• [http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2016/jul/15/donald-trumps-top-10-campaign-promises/ Donald Trump's top 10 campaign promises on PolitiFact.com]
• [https://ballotpedia.org/Donald_Trump_presidential_campaign,_2016 Donald Trump's presidential campaign on Ballotpedia.org]
• [https://www.opensecrets.org/pres16/candidate.php?id=N00023864 Donald Trump's fundraising data on OpenSecrets.org]
• {{cite episode|title=Trump's Road to the White House|series=Frontline|series-link=Frontline (American TV program)|network=PBS|station=WGBH|date=January 24, 2017|season=35|number=9|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/documentary/trumps-road-to-the-white-house/|access-date=November 28, 2024}}

{{2016 United States presidential election}}

{{Donald Trump}}

{{Mike Pence}}

{{Republican presidential campaigns}}

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