One of his earliest pledges was to put a temporary ban on Muslims entering
the US in response to terrorism threats. This was later expanded to become
a blanket ban on migrants from any country significantly affected by
terrorism, although he has sometimes claimed there would be exceptions.
Trump’s major platforms include a plan to create 25 million
jobs over the next decade, primarily through “America First”
economic policies, which involves cracking down on immigrants
and a free-market economy style featuring even less corporate
and tax regulation than what is currently allocated.
Other factors of a supposed Trump loss include the further division
of the Republican Party, perhaps even leading to a total breakup.
Already distrusting most media networks, Trump has hinted at his own
channel, “Trump TV.” However, it remains unclear how many would
be interested in his personal brand following a loss. The Trump brand
has already taken a significant loss in business due to his campaign.

In contrast to the multiple Republican candidates, there
were only two Democrat contenders by the end of the first
primary: formerly Independent Vermont Senator Bernie
Sanders and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Bernie Sanders ran on a platform of criticizing unrestricted banks, the
Wall Street agenda, and the resulting system hurting the poor in America.
Despite his underdog status, Sanders went on to win 23 primaries and 43.1
per cent of the popular vote. Many Americans (and international observers)
were disillusioned by Sanders’ loss and blamed a corrupt party system.
Leaked documents showed the party to have a significant bias against
Sanders. Despite losing, his candidacy resulted in a strong influence that
led to a much more progressive agenda for Clinton and the Democrats.
He continues to campaign for Clinton/against Trump and has returned to
work as an Independent Senator, continuing his perceived revolution.

Born in Chicago in 1947, Hillary Rodham (as she was then known)
has been volunteering for political campaigns since the 1960s. After
graduating from law school, she first entered politics when her husband
Bill was elected Governor of Arkansas in 1978. She was eventually thrust
into the public’s eye when her husband was elected president in 1992, and
was First Lady of the United States until 2001. Unlike most First Ladies,
Clinton took an active role in determining her husband’s Cabinet and
policies. She was widely regarded for her activism and administration
role, as well as her handling and forgiveness of Bill’s affair while in office.

After leaving the White House, Clinton was elected Senator
of New York in 2001. As expected, Hillary launched a bid for the
presidential nomination in 2008. Despite performing well in
the primaries, she lost to Barack Obama—who subsequently
made her Secretary of State, a position she held until 2013.

From 2013 to April 2015, Clinton ran the non-profit corporate
charity The Clinton Foundation along with her husband and daughter.
The foundation has raised over $2 billion from a variety of donors,
including international governments, and works to strengthen citizen
aid and empowerment around the world. Hillary also worked by
giving speeches, both paid (roughly $200,000 per appearance) and
unpaid, including some to large corporations and Wall Street. As was
widely anticipated, Clinton officially declared her candidacy on April
12, 2015, and subsequently resigned from The Clinton Foundation.

Clinton’s controversies include the unrestricted donations taken
for her foundation, high-priced speeches paid for by the 1 per cent, and
most famously, her usage of a private email server in her home during her
term as Secretary of State. Over 31,000 emails were deleted, of which 113
were found to contain classified information. She was later investigated
by the FBI, who declared on July 6 that, although she had used poor
judgement, no charges would be laid. Despite the clearance, the email
controversy remains an argument used by her opponents, including
many liberals, as an example of her untrustworthiness. However, the
FBI has just announced another probe into newly discovered Clinton
emails, which could affect her numbers going into the final week.

Many of Clinton’s positions are due to Sanders’ influence. Her

platform includes making public college free for families earning
under $125,000 a year, capping childcare expenses at 10 per cent of

a family’s income, and a $15 minimum wage. Well-known for her
progressive past and political pragmatism, she is often criticized for
embodying systematic politics. Nevertheless, her policies are a sharp
contrast to Trump’s and significantly less threatening to minorities.

As with every election, various third party or independent candidates
will also have their names on the ballots. Libertarian Party nominee
Gary Johnson appears in all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia;
Green Party nominee Jill Stein appears on 45, including DC. With the
unpopularity of both major party candidates, third-parties are expected
to receive more votes than in a typical election. It is unlikely that either
candidate will receive an electoral vote, meaning that their ultimate
influence on the outcome of the election will be minimal at best.
Independent conservative candidate Evan McMullin is polling at
28 per cent in Utah, tying with Clinton and 7 points behind Trump. It is
possible that McMullin will win Utah’s six electoral votes, which could
throw the election to Clinton or Trump in the event of a close race.
Ultimately, we are looking at a President Trump or another President
Clinton. One has been politically active and preparing for the role her
entire life, while the other has used his aggression and outsider status
to fuel a campaign unlike anything ever seen before. The controversy
and disappointment involved with this election may lead to record
low—or perhaps extremely high—turnout. Ultimately, most Americans
want the same thing: personal and national success, with
effective solutions to major issues facing their society.
Only time will tell how Clinton and Trump will
succeed and be remembered by history.