Something has been really bothering me over the last few weeks watching Trump descend into the pit of no return:

He can't really be a serious candidate.  He tries to sabotage himself at every turn.  Says the most narcissistic things and goes out of his way to insult every group a human can belong to.  He has made complete enemy out of his own party and has insulted solders, minorities and even federal judges.  He has not released his taxes and has 3500 lawsuits charged against him for not paying bills.  This isn't even realistic anymore.   He said on twitter that people are thanking HIM for the attacks in Orlando because it shows that we are only safe with him...   The complexities of the levels or horror and egotism in this comment alone are mind-blowing. How can it be that Hilary, who has high unfavorables as well has been matched up with an actually completely unlikeable asshole.  What are the chances?  I have trouble believing someone can be this bad.  He recently made a comment that if he doesn't do anything else that he has done more than any candidate/Republican in history (as far a primary votes I guess), so its hard to tell if he is really serious or if its a stunt. 

So I have a few questions for the masses:

Is Trump a plant by Hilary to get elected?

Is it possible for someone to really be THAT much of an ass?

Is this a pulic stunt by Trump for ratings or his own brand?

If so much of America is insane enough to support Trump, it proves that Trump's existence as a legit candidate isn't completely unrealistic. And that's scary.

Could it be that people were so excited about the 'canidate of change' that it took them a while to see how insane he really is?  I am trying to give folks the benifit of the doubt....

I'd say a little of both.  His radical ideas are supported by many.  I think that's his appeal.  Many Trump supporters want change and wanna roll the dice with Trump considering the Clintons are horrible politicians and Obama lived up to their legacy.  He brings the bigotry out of his supporters and they don't have to hide their opinions anymore.  Hillary has a lot of problems as well because of her pending investigation, horrible foreign policy, inconsistent track record, championing NAFTA and agreements like it, the Iran Deal, ect.  So while I don't think he's a plant, he is helping her seem human to some people (not me) if she does end up winning.  It's definitely good for his brand.  As far as his morality, I actually had an Uber driver/Navy Veteran once that was saved by Trump as he needed emergency transportation for surgery and Trump covered it.  Nonetheless, he is an asshole for his comments, but I see the appeal for working class people as many of them hate ObamaCare, and for taking care of America and "Making it great Again".  He is definitely appealing in terms of gun laws.  So yea my 2 cents, it's a stunt, but he has a legitamite following, and that legitamizes his campaign in a way, but I don't think his intent was to actually better America.  I won't be voting this election though.

No, he's not a very serious candidate.

The problem is, being a "serious candidate" is not a very good thing either in the current political machine. It usually means you're incredibly corrupt and a professional liar: see Hillary. I think people will ultimately go with Hillary. She's more of a known quantity. Trump could be fine if given the chance, but he could also be disastrous.

It depends what we call serious. Clinton is the very problem of USA, she is corrupted, financed by Wall Street, above laws, and backed by the whole system, from current president to television, she has no will to change anything, and she will do nothing. Is that really a serious candidate ? That's what Obama is saying, like he didn't failed enough to have any significant result, the guy with all his intelligence and experience looks at you in the eyes and say : "that, that is a serious candidate !".

There is too much BS, that's why there is a room for someone like Trump, who tell about as much BS, but at least can show some strength not just to be elected, but to be a president, not a puppet. Even me (Sander's side), I can relate and agree with a few things he says. Especially, I have been in China, you can drive for hours and all the way see highways, lights, buildings, offices built in the last 30 years, based on unfair trades, with your money and at the cost of your jobs.

Anyway, whatever you think about Trump, people should have right to see candidates that they think can change and improve things. Let's people make wrong choices, try things, president fail, rather than voting for people that are not there for the people. In this sense, Trump is a serious candidate. Most are not.

Last but not least I don't think he has anymore egotism than other candidates, he's just stupid enough (or chose it as style) to show it. Why do you think Clinton want to be candidate whatever the cost (money from wall street, unfavorable polls against Trump) ?

[1] No.

[2] Yes.

[3] Yes. Not only that, but that too. Being the president is probably pretty great for someone like him even for reasons unrelated to his brand, and at worst, he's going to get some publicity for his brand. I don't there's much publicity that he would consider (too) bad.

Weak leaders have led to the collapse of every major empire, country, union, conglomerate (or whatever the heck the US is)since the dawn of time. I think what's happening in the US is a farce. You don't actually have a democracy there. A first past the post or proportional representation set up would have turned out completely different. All in all, the refusal of the American people to vote for anyone outside of a set of parties will inevitably lead to disaster, as all that needs to be done is for one of those parties to go rogue or coordinate with the other. Ah well, they had a good run of it for awhile, but once again, the world is changing.