The ongoing US presidential primaries have produced one of the most controversial and entertaining campaigns in the country’s history – thanks mainly to the antics of Donald Trump.

The Republican hopeful has been a huge focus of the campaign, and for all the wrong reasons. He has publicly displayed his disdain for Muslims and Mexican immigrants. He has also openly threatened violence against his election opponents, and mocked even the most vulnerable members of American public. Yet Trump seems completely unstoppable in his bid to become the Republican candidate.

At press time, the billionaire real-estate mogul is the man for other Republicans to beat, having won three state primaries in a row. Of the 2,340 available delegates, Trump needs 1,237 to become his party’s nominee. As of 24 February, he had 81 votes against his distant rivals Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, with Ohio Governor John Kasich and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson trailing far behind.

This is in stark contrast to the Democrats, whose nominee needs to win 2,383 for nomination from 4,192 available delegates; Hilary Clinton current leads by 503 to 70 against Senator Bernie Sanders.

Today, 1 March, is ‘Super Tuesday’, when 11 states polls for their Republican presidential nominations – and it could well be the decider. As the saying goes, a week is a long time in politics, and there are strong expectations by conservative Republicans that Trump will fall by the wayside. They are not the only people, whether in the US or around the world, who live in that hope.

Like President Barack Obama, Metro Éireann believes that Trump, with all his hateful messages, scapegoating and divisive rhetoric, does not deserve to be America’s number-one citizen.

news@metroeireann.com