Do you remember Donald Trump’s first presidential announcement speech, made 10 years ago today?
He entered the room via a Trump Tower escalator ride with wife Melania. He insulted Mexicans as rapists bringing drugs and crime, belatedly noting “some, I assume, are good people.” He described the U.S. as the loser laughingstock of the world, and said he would use his deal-making prowess to land better trade deals, fix immigration, repeal Obamacare and stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.
Ten years and three campaigns later, Trump’s off-the-cuff style, his ease with insults or his propensity for lying remain trademarks. His introductory speech may feel like typical fare now, but it defined a new era where false claims are more frequent and more brazen.
Trump entered a Republican field known for policy depth, including former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio. (The man Trump derided as “little Marco” is now his secretary of state.) Voters preferred Trump’s brash approach and vague but provocative ideas on the economy and foreign policy.
As I reread the speech, I’m struck by Trump’s consistency. On immigration and trade, his 2015 policy vision has evolved into breakneck 2025 implementation.
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