After years of being a pretend presidential candidate, Donald Trump on Tuesday became an actual one, telling a throng of journalists and his supporters at Trump Towers in New York City that he would be joining the 2016 presidential race. His launch was marked by a lengthy (some would say meandering) speech that touched on a range of issues, from China to immigration to the state of America today. Here are the lines that stood out for their novelty and humor:
- On the United States: "We need money. We're dying."
- On his likability: "I am a nice person. People that know me like me. Does my family like me? I think so."
- On his economic platform: "I will be the greatest jobs president God ever created."
- On Washington: "How stupid are our leaders?"
- On China: "They have bridges that make the George Washington Bridge look like small potatoes."
- On his finances: "I'm really rich."
- On Saudi Arabia: "I love the Saudis, many are in this building."
- On the 2016 election: "Ladies and gentlemen, I am officially running for president of the United States."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Humza Yousaf clears the decks to battle no-confidence voteSpeed Read First minister is 'done', according to insider, but a single vote could change the balance
-
Immunotherapy and hay feverThe Explainer Research shows that the treatment could provide significant relief from symptoms for many hay fever sufferers
-
The week's best photosIn Pictures A flooded island, a ballistic missile, and more
-
Ukraine cheers House approval of military aidSpeed Read Following a lengthy struggle, the House has approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spiesSpeed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrikeSpeed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claimsSpeed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claimsSpeed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aidSpeed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of warSpeed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picksSpeed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
