Business mogul Donald Trump officially entered the 2016 presidential race as a Republican during an address at Trump Tower in New York City Tuesday.
“I am officially running for President of the United States and we are going to make our country great again,” Trump declared during his remarks, which ran close to an hour and were streamed live on Periscope.
The Apprentice star focused his speech on multiple issues, discussing the economy, foreign policy, border security, the trade bill and “the big lie” Obamacare, among other things.
“Our country is in serious trouble,” 69-year-old Trump, who emerged onstage to Neil Young’s “Rockin’ In the Free World,” alleged. “We don’t have victories anymore.”
“The U.S. has become a dumping ground for everyone else’s problems,” he added.
Trump warned his audience not to be fooled by the low unemployment numbers, emphasizing the fact that the labor participation rate has sunk to its lowest level in nearly four decades.
“Our real unemployment is from 18 to 20 percent. Don’t believe the 5.6 percent,” Trump cautioned. According to the now-official White House contender, China and Mexico have our jobs.
On the topic of healthcare, the businessman explained that Obamacare won’t “really kick in” until 2016, when Obama will be out golfing and enjoying retirement from the Oval Office.
“He might even be on one of my courses,” Trump quipped, mentioning his alleged golf course near the White House. “I would invite him.”
Politicians, according to Trump, “will never make America great again,” which is why he has decided to throw himself into the 2016 race.
“They’re controlled fully by the lobbyists, by the donors and by the special interests,” he said of our lawmakers. “We need a truly great leader now. … We also need a cheerleader.”
“We need somebody who can take the brand of the United States and make it great again,” Trump declared.
The 12th Republican candidate for president to officially announce his campaign, Trump will travel to Iowa for a rally hours after his announcement at Trump Tower.
