NOTE: This author is constantly being asked to comment about Donald Trump, even though his topics are on other matters. This is the first of a series of articles called ‘The Trump Chronicles.’

The Great Political Upset
They said he will never make it. The media, the Democratic party, even part of his own Republican party, were all against him. He faced the formidable, ‘cashed-up’ Clinton political machine. The campaign itself was long and gruelling. The polls were predicting a Clinton win, even a landslide. Yet, despite it all, Donald J. Trump pulled off one of the greatest political upsets in US history to become America’s 45th President. In addition, his Republican party retained majorities in both houses of Congress.
What are we to make of all this? First, the US election is the latest of several ‘shock’ electoral results that happened in the last two years. In 2015, national elections in Sri Lanka, Israel, and the United Kingdom delivered results totally the opposite to what pundits and pollsters predicted. Ironically, David Cameron’s stunning majority win in 2015 set the stage for a promised referendum on continued UK membership in the European Union, which ultimately led to his political demise.
How Did He Do It?
How did Donald Trump win the election? Is it the American election a populist revolt equivalent to Brexit?
As this author has been stating for a while, our world is in a time of shaking: economic, social, political, and spiritual. These shock elections are part of it. When it comes to Donald Trump, the billionaire business mogul who entered the political fray only 17 months ago, he has defy the odds and won the election.
First, Trump had a simple, catchy, compelling slogan: Make America Great Again. Effective campaigning means finding a vision that means something to the people, encapsulate it in a simple phrase, and talk about nothing else. But there’s more.
Second, Trump capitalised on voter dissatisfaction on both sides. The electorate believe the career politician is ‘out-of-touch,’ only gives them the time of day during an election campaign, tells them what they want to hear, and then goes back to ‘business as usual’ after the election. This means serving the demands of big money and special interests rather than the person on Main Street. Trump understood this. As a billionaire, he said that he could not be bought off by special interests. His rhetoric could be harsh and abrasive and, at times, downright politically incorrect, to the consternation of the cultural elite (and even make some supporters uncomfortable). But here’s what the experts miss: Trump, unlike career politicians, did not sound like he was reading off a script. He was telling people what he really believed. The electorate found his honesty breathtakingly refreshing.
Third, Trump projects strength and resilience: Consider this - a 70 year old man has gone through the rigours of a protracted (17 month), nasty, divisive political campaign, facing the daunting Clinton political organisation. Not only did he triumph, but emerged without a smudge. Talk about ‘Teflon factor.’ No wonder Vladimir Putin loves him!
Another point: Trump is a political outsider. He is not part of the political establishment. He does not owe anyone favours. He does not bow the knee to special interests.
Trump also knew how to handle the media, who were often hostile. He got a lot of publicity, for free.
Finally, Trump promised to be a man of action: Despite the mainstream media harping about his controversial phrases on Mexican walls, Muslim immigration, or age-old crude comments in private, he talked about issues Americans care about: Reforming the health system, rebuilding the military so America can start winning wars, taking care of war veterans, fixing the Clinton-era China trade agreement that has seen the loss of 1000s of US jobs, repair the immigration mess, the ailing economy, and restore pride in the country.
A Word from the Optimists
Let’s hear from a couple of people who predicted a Trump victory from Day One, despite the polls.
JM Shepal, author of the book Why Donald Trump Will Become the Next US President, said: ‘The main reason they (the American voters) are coming out to vote, they love his rhetoric, they love the way he carries himself, they love what he says and how he says it, but most of all, they love the fact that there is a candidate that is a political outsider and that understands what the people want from their next leader.’
Wayne Allyn Root, who was predicting the ultimate success of Trump’s campaign since the very day his candidacy was announced, gave some interesting insights in his October 24, 2016 article: ‘Why I’m (still) betting big on Donald Trump to Win.’ http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2016/10/24/why-im-still-betting-big-on-donald-trump-to-win.html At the time, many (though not all) polls were predicting a Clinton-win, if not a landslide victory. Root pointed out some interesting signs that were totally overlooked by the political and media establishment:
1) A Las Vegas cab driver routinely asked every passenger who they were voting for. Without exception, they said ‘Trump.’
2) That on a drive from DC to Florida, the driver saw 100s of Trump campaign signs along the way. They did not see one Hillary sign.
3) Despite her massive profile and positive standing in the polls, no one was buying Hillary’s new book.
4) Trump rallies were attracting 1000s while Hillary’s only 100s.
Trump learned how to by-pass the special interests, cultural elite, and the ‘kingmakers’ in order to connect with the person on Main Street. Also, many independents and Democrats were crossing over to Trump because they found a man who was willing to listen to them.
American Brexit?
Is the election of Donald Trump the equivalent of BREXIT? Trump apparently thinks so. He calls it ‘Brexit plus plus plus.’ Former UKIP and BREXIT leader Nigel Farage says Trump’s victory is ‘bigger than Brexit.’ Wayne Allyn Root called Trump’s election ‘America’s Brexit.’
There are clearly parallels. Both elections had the political, media, and business elite supporting the familiar, status-quo situation (e.g. remain in the European Union; vote for Hillary Clinton). Both elites thought they controlled the narrative. They rhetoric was that of condescension, scare-mongering, and insults. Supporters of Brexit were called small minded little Englanders; uneducated, old white men, etc. while Trump supporters were called ‘bitter,’ ‘deplorables,’ and ‘uneducated.’ The polls pointed to a status quo victory. Despite it all, in both cases the found their voice, ignored the elites, and said ‘We want our country back.’
Regardless of your political persuasion and citizenship, the world should pray for the success of Donald Trump’s presidency. His success will truly be our own.
TRUMP CHRONICLES PART 01: AMERICAN BREXIT? The Triumph of Donald Trump
By Kameel Majdali

NOTE: This author is constantly being asked to comment about Donald Trump, even though his topics are on other matters. This is the first of a series of articles called ‘The Trump Chronicles.’

The Great Political Upset
They said he will never make it. The media, the Democratic party, even part of his own Republican party, were all against him. He faced the formidable, ‘cashed-up’ Clinton political machine. The campaign itself was long and gruelling. The polls were predicting a Clinton win, even a landslide. Yet, despite it all, Donald J. Trump pulled off one of the greatest political upsets in US history to become America’s 45th President. In addition, his Republican party retained majorities in both houses of Congress.
What are we to make of all this? First, the US election is the latest of several ‘shock’ electoral results that happened in the last two years. In 2015, national elections in Sri Lanka, Israel, and the United Kingdom delivered results totally the opposite to what pundits and pollsters predicted. Ironically, David Cameron’s stunning majority win in 2015 set the stage for a promised referendum on continued UK membership in the European Union, which ultimately led to his political demise.
How Did He Do It?
How did Donald Trump win the election? Is it the American election a populist revolt equivalent to Brexit?
As this author has been stating for a while, our world is in a time of shaking: economic, social, political, and spiritual. These shock elections are part of it. When it comes to Donald Trump, the billionaire business mogul who entered the political fray only 17 months ago, he has defy the odds and won the election.
First, Trump had a simple, catchy, compelling slogan: Make America Great Again. Effective campaigning means finding a vision that means something to the people, encapsulate it in a simple phrase, and talk about nothing else. But there’s more.
Second, Trump capitalised on voter dissatisfaction on both sides. The electorate believe the career politician is ‘out-of-touch,’ only gives them the time of day during an election campaign, tells them what they want to hear, and then goes back to ‘business as usual’ after the election. This means serving the demands of big money and special interests rather than the person on Main Street. Trump understood this. As a billionaire, he said that he could not be bought off by special interests. His rhetoric could be harsh and abrasive and, at times, downright politically incorrect, to the consternation of the cultural elite (and even make some supporters uncomfortable). But here’s what the experts miss: Trump, unlike career politicians, did not sound like he was reading off a script. He was telling people what he really believed. The electorate found his honesty breathtakingly refreshing.
Third, Trump projects strength and resilience: Consider this - a 70 year old man has gone through the rigours of a protracted (17 month), nasty, divisive political campaign, facing the daunting Clinton political organisation. Not only did he triumph, but emerged without a smudge. Talk about ‘Teflon factor.’ No wonder Vladimir Putin loves him!
Another point: Trump is a political outsider. He is not part of the political establishment. He does not owe anyone favours. He does not bow the knee to special interests.
Trump also knew how to handle the media, who were often hostile. He got a lot of publicity, for free.
Finally, Trump promised to be a man of action: Despite the mainstream media harping about his controversial phrases on Mexican walls, Muslim immigration, or age-old crude comments in private, he talked about issues Americans care about: Reforming the health system, rebuilding the military so America can start winning wars, taking care of war veterans, fixing the Clinton-era China trade agreement that has seen the loss of 1000s of US jobs, repair the immigration mess, the ailing economy, and restore pride in the country.
A Word from the Optimists
Let’s hear from a couple of people who predicted a Trump victory from Day One, despite the polls.
JM Shepal, author of the book Why Donald Trump Will Become the Next US President, said: ‘The main reason they (the American voters) are coming out to vote, they love his rhetoric, they love the way he carries himself, they love what he says and how he says it, but most of all, they love the fact that there is a candidate that is a political outsider and that understands what the people want from their next leader.’
Wayne Allyn Root, who was predicting the ultimate success of Trump’s campaign since the very day his candidacy was announced, gave some interesting insights in his October 24, 2016 article: ‘Why I’m (still) betting big on Donald Trump to Win.’ http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2016/10/24/why-im-still-betting-big-on-donald-trump-to-win.html At the time, many (though not all) polls were predicting a Clinton-win, if not a landslide victory. Root pointed out some interesting signs that were totally overlooked by the political and media establishment:
1) A Las Vegas cab driver routinely asked every passenger who they were voting for. Without exception, they said ‘Trump.’
2) That on a drive from DC to Florida, the driver saw 100s of Trump campaign signs along the way. They did not see one Hillary sign.
3) Despite her massive profile and positive standing in the polls, no one was buying Hillary’s new book.
4) Trump rallies were attracting 1000s while Hillary’s only 100s.
Trump learned how to by-pass the special interests, cultural elite, and the ‘kingmakers’ in order to connect with the person on Main Street. Also, many independents and Democrats were crossing over to Trump because they found a man who was willing to listen to them.
American Brexit?
Is the election of Donald Trump the equivalent of BREXIT? Trump apparently thinks so. He calls it ‘Brexit plus plus plus.’ Former UKIP and BREXIT leader Nigel Farage says Trump’s victory is ‘bigger than Brexit.’ Wayne Allyn Root called Trump’s election ‘America’s Brexit.’
There are clearly parallels. Both elections had the political, media, and business elite supporting the familiar, status-quo situation (e.g. remain in the European Union; vote for Hillary Clinton). Both elites thought they controlled the narrative. They rhetoric was that of condescension, scare-mongering, and insults. Supporters of Brexit were called small minded little Englanders; uneducated, old white men, etc. while Trump supporters were called ‘bitter,’ ‘deplorables,’ and ‘uneducated.’ The polls pointed to a status quo victory. Despite it all, in both cases the found their voice, ignored the elites, and said ‘We want our country back.’
Regardless of your political persuasion and citizenship, the world should pray for the success of Donald Trump’s presidency. His success will truly be our own.