Introduction

The recent Trump-mania movement sweeping across America is coming to a head this Tuesday when the Indiana delegate primary is held in the state of Indiana. This state primary will be critical for the continued march of Donald Trump’s Republican primary march across America. The State of Indiana has long been decidedly Republican and stands to award the winner in this Tuesday’s primary a good chunk of the remainder of the delegates for the Republican nomination. While Trump does not need Indiana to seal his fall nomination, a win in Indiana can still seal the fate of his opponent, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas for the outright nomination as the Republican nominee for President of the United States.

Trump Mania

Trump-mania’s march however, may be delayed once again as Texas Sen. Ted Cruz again challenges the front runner. Though Cruz is far behind of Trump for total delegate count, Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana recently endorsed Sen. Cruz for the state’s primary. Meanwhile, Donald Trump obtained the endorsement this past week of the popular ex-basketball coach of “Mr. Indiana” Coach Bobby Knight. Gov. Pence of the government establishment versus the populous favorite Coach Knight. This endorsement clash in Indiana symbolizes the great divide in America occurring now between the Republican establishment candidate in Sen. Cruz and the populous Republican favorite Donald Trump. If Donald Trump fails to win the Indiana primary, the contest between Trump and Cruz will likely run it’s course and be decided in next month’s June 7th California primary.

Popularity of Trump

What factors led to the popularity of Trump-mania in America in the first place? Many first-time voters have long been disenfranchised with the American political system of both establishment Republicans and Democrats. Many which are voting for the first time for Donald Trump. They see an honest, hard working successful business family man in Donald Trump standing outside of the establishment political machine. Trump’s vow for strong borders at the US/Mexico border promising to “build the wall and have Mexico pay for it” is another key platform promise. Another being to bring jobs back to America and have products made in America again. “Jobs, job’s jobs” as Trump says. Trump’s recent foreign policy speech in Washington, DC last week highlighted the need for America’s friends to pay their fair share for America defending foreign allies in Europe, the Middle East and in Asia. Trump has insisted along the way that America’s allies must pay their fair share for the support and protection provided overseas. Foreign aid will be cut under any Trump administration and matched with a stronger military defense which is promised to stay at home more and defend America. Negotiation and peaceful relations with Russia and China will be sought after along with “Peace in the Middle East” between Israel and the Palestinians being a primary target for any Trump administration.

Republican Nomination 

It is likely that if Trump does win the Republican nomination for President this fall, his likely Democratic opponent will be Hilary Clinton. Their differences on societal issues in America stand broadly apart from one another. The recently passed “Gay rights” Supreme Court decision is one example. Trump stands firmly in favor of marriage being between a man and woman in the traditional sense while Clinton has the opposite opinion. Clinton will further advance LGBT rights in America if elected while a Trump administration would role back the advance of the movement also sweeping America under the Obama administration. Second Amendment rights are seen in America as challenged by both President Obama and under a potential Clinton administration. The recent controversial “bathroom issue” in North Carolina is another. While, Trump stands for States rights on this issue, Sen. Cruz stands decidedly against the measure even allowing for States right to choose on the matter.

Conclusion

In the next two months, Trump-mania will either conquer America or end up in a contested Republican Convention come this fall. The Indiana, California primaries are key states which show the divide in the race for the nomination. Whatever the outcome, “angry America” against all establishment political insiders is the key factor for the spread of the Trump-mania movement. Whether it will continue to have the recent momentum to carry it into the Republican convention this fall is one of the more fascinating issues and questions to have occurred in American politics in many years.

Article authored by Paul Anderson