The Differences Between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are household names in the United States. This article seeks to identify the differences between them. Born on October 26, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois, Hillary entered the limelight in 1978 when her husband, Bill Clinton, became the governor of Arkansas. Her recognition increased when her husband became the 42^nd president of the U.S., and she, in turn, became the first lady. Her active involvement in championing for women’s rights served to increase her profile both at home and abroad. In addition, her entry into the U.S. Senate as the New York Senator for two terms further served to reinforce the “Hillary” brand she has created over the years in public service. Her brand in the public sphere was further amplified in 2008 when she campaigned for the Democratic Party presidential primaries. Although she lost the party nomination to Barrack Obama, Hillary gained more recognition both domestically and internationally, further enhancing her personal brand. Her appointment as Secretary of State during the first term of Obama’s administration and her present quest to become Obama’s replacement at the White House has ensured Clinton’s continued presence in the limelight.

Donald Trump is also a force to reckon with in the public sphere, as he has spent much of his adult life creating his personal brand. Trump was born on June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York City. He first came into the public arena in 1973 when he was accused by the Justice Department of violating the Fair Housing Act. He has since sustained his presence in the public domain in several ways. For instance, his projects in the real estate, hospitality, and entertainment industries have earned him both success and the attention of the public. Trump’s status as a public figure has been heightened by his status as a billionaire and by the success of his NBC reality show—The Apprentice.

Hillary is currently seeking presidential nomination as the flag bearer of the Democratic Party in the 2016 elections, while Trump is seeking the same position on a Republican Party ticket. Mrs. Clinton officially announced her candidature on April 12, 2015, which was earlier than Trump’s announcement. Mr. Trump made his official announcement to run for the presidency on June 16, 2015. Hillary Clinton has more years in public service and politics in comparison to Donald Trump. This is because she has served in different political roles in the U.S.—First Lady, Senator, and Secretary of State. On the other hand, Trump has not held any political office in the past, though he sought the Reform Party presidential nomination in 1999 but pulled out of the race on February 14, 2000.

Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Trump have differed in the past and continue to differ presently on the best approaches to certain issues of national and international interest. For instance, Hillary supported the resolution to launch an attack on Iraq when she was New York’s senator, while Trump was constantly opposed to an invasion of Iraq and has maintained his position. In addition, Trump has voiced his opposition to the issue of abortion and claims he is pro-life, as opposed to Hillary’s open support for abortion rights. While Hillary has supported the international nuclear agreement with Iran, Trump opposes it and has termed it a terrible deal. Moreover, according to Forbes, Trump’s personal net worth is about $4.5 billion, which is greater than that of the Clintons that is estimated to be about $35 million. Additionally, Trump has had three spouses over the years, while Hillary has had one.

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