The race for the presidency in the United States has reached a point where low-polling candidates are beginning to drop out and only the dominant remain. Which is why it has become a shock to most of the country that Donald Trump, the bombastic, xenophobic, billionaire tycoon is not only still campaigning, he’s the frontrunner. One of the main reasons why Trump has been able to do so well and stay relevant is his exceptional use of social media and other digital outlets to get his point across. It has now become clear that Donald Trump likes to say outrageous things because it gets the public talking and makes headlines in the news. One way to do this effectively is to spread it to a global audience through online posts and social networks. This not only gets discussions started, but it gets his followers to recruit new ones by spreading the word and sharing it with others. Trump may actually succeed in acquiring the nomination because of his adept use of technology to reach potential voters, Millennials, and everyone in between.

Even though he appears to be the leader of the race, the fact that the public continues to relish in his rhetoric is not only astonishing, it’s frightening. Most of the comments Trump says are hateful, ignorant, and untruthful. It is a legitimate concern for many that he could end up representing our country because it would send a bad message to the rest of the world in regards to America’s true nature. Could it be, however, that Trump is pronouncing the opinions of millions of Americans that most are too afraid to declare outside of the safety of their home? Maybe I am being idealistic in thinking that America is still based on strong moral values, the land of the free, and brotherly love. Is Trump really representing the beliefs that the common man now holds, which explains his popularity in the news and in the polls? America may need to have a serious reality check when it comes to where our priorities are.

For some reason, the fascination with morbid topics and the over-sexualizing of media in the United States has grown significantly in the past few decades. This includes news stories focusing on murders, riots, and the next crazy thing you won’t believe Trump said. A big part of this cycle is the fact that these things grab people’s attention. The news agencies and journalists want viewers and readers and they know they must have an enticing headline or a shock factor that hooks them to the story. Trump has capitalized on this and being the businessman, that he is, he is able to turn it into profits and exposure for his campaign.

Most of what Trump asserts is not newsworthy in my opinion and people should become more aware of this; not only of what he says but what is being said in the news in general. It is important to understand that there can be many sides to a story, multiple beliefs, embellishment, and stories with the goal of promotion rather than education. Trump’s use of social media has propelled him, but he serves as an example to the public to remain somewhat cynical when it comes to what is being said and to never believe anything as fact at first glance.