The Presidential Barbecue: Donald Trump

Trump Ribs with a Small Loan of a Million Appetizers

Here it is. The de-facto high point of the Presidential Barbecue. We’ve roasted many candidates to get to this point, searing them over the coals of common sense and unbiased journalism. We’ve remained flavorful and delicious, even after days of refrigeration. And now, it’s time to reap the rewards of our patience.

Saucy or pungent? Rich or decadent? Reliably delicious or overbearingly overdone? Only one dish in the entire presidential barbecue invites these contrasting opinions and marinades in the rich medley of the ensuing conflict. There’s no question as to what this dish is, every American has likely tasted it at least once over the course of the last year. So in a way, the controversy that Trump Ribs has stirred up has only been beneficial to his run. But will he win the Republican nomination? It’s hard to say.

When Trump began his run on June 16, 2015, it wasn’t much of a surprise. Trump had been considered as a potential barbecue candidate since 1988, and had run before in 2000. But what was surprising was the platform that he chose to run on. In his announcement speech, Trump referenced issues that would become the cornerstones of his campaign: conservative economics, aggressive foreign policy, and drastic immigration reform. His statements caused many political and private organizations, and even popular musicians such as Neil Young, to sever ties with Trump Ribs.

Despite the tempers Trump raises, he remains the Republican front-runner. His strange charisma and strong stances seem to attract scores of eaters, even while alienating others. The criticism directed at him only serves to push him farther into the spotlight (or over the pilot light, as the case may be). This may be the source of his success. By continuing to make bold statements, he generates a crowd of loyal supporters whose numbers grow far more quickly than the opposition. This means those statements pose little risk to him, and also serve as free publicity.

How do you like YOUR Trump Ribs?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Trump Ribs’ particular brand of politics has made him a lot of enemies. It’s difficult to say if he has a good shot at the big spot in the Presidential Barbecue. But both Trump Ribs and Sanders Wings have shattered unspoken barriers in conventional food politics. They’ve proven that candidates who attach themselves to issues that others are wary to tackle still have a chance at success, and not just a small chance. They’ve invited voters to express their own strong opinions through their vote, and they’ve given a voice to dissent. Perhaps most importantly, they’ve opened a door for others to follow in their footsteps, changing American politics forever.