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Politics

The year Donald Trump took politics by storm

By Deena Zaru, CNN
Published 12:43 PM EST, Mon December 28, 2015
Link Copied!
What started out as the summer of Trump soon turned into the autumn of Trump, and as 2015 comes to an end, Donald Trump continues to dominate the Republican field of presidential candidates.
What started out as the summer of Trump soon turned into the autumn of Trump, and as 2015 comes to an end, Donald Trump continues to dominate the Republican field of presidential candidates.
Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
An image of Trump is seen on the Las Vegas Strip on December 14. Las Vegas was hosting a CNN presidential debate.
An image of Trump is seen on the Las Vegas Strip on December 14. Las Vegas was hosting a CNN presidential debate.
ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
Trump pretends to sleep December 7 as he references fellow candidate Jeb Bush at a Pearl Harbor Day Rally in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. It was here that Trump read a press release calling for a "complete and total shutdown of Muslims entering the United States" in light of the San Bernardino terror attacks.
Trump pretends to sleep December 7 as he references fellow candidate Jeb Bush at a Pearl Harbor Day Rally in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. It was here that Trump read a press release calling for a "complete and total shutdown of Muslims entering the United States" in light of the San Bernardino terror attacks.
Sean Rayford/Getty Images
A group of Muslim-Americans rally in front of New York's Trump Tower on December 20 to protest Trump's proposal to ban Muslims.
A group of Muslim-Americans rally in front of New York's Trump Tower on December 20 to protest Trump's proposal to ban Muslims.
Kena Betancur/Getty Images
British newspapers showcase reactions to Trump's proposal to ban Muslims from entering the United States. An online petition to ban Trump from entering Britain garnered <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2015%2F12%2F09%2Fpolitics%2Fuk-donald-trump-ban-petition%2F">more than</a> 300,000 signatures.
British newspapers showcase reactions to Trump's proposal to ban Muslims from entering the United States. An online petition to ban Trump from entering Britain garnered more than 300,000 signatures.
Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images
Trump was in the running for Time magazine's Person of the Year and was not pleased when German Chancellor Angela Merkel was selected instead. Alongside a profile on Trump, the publication published a behind-the-scenes video of a photo shoot from August. The video featured blooper-reel moments with Trump's co-star of the shoot, a bald eagle named Uncle Sam. The eagle ruffles its feathers, startling Trump.
Trump was in the running for Time magazine's Person of the Year and was not pleased when German Chancellor Angela Merkel was selected instead. Alongside a profile on Trump, the publication published a behind-the-scenes video of a photo shoot from August. The video featured blooper-reel moments with Trump's co-star of the shoot, a bald eagle named Uncle Sam. The eagle ruffles its feathers, startling Trump.
Time Magazine footage
Trump flips his belt buckle while slamming fellow Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson during <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2015%2F11%2F12%2Fpolitics%2Fdonald-trump-ben-carson-iowa-belt-stupid%2F">a 95-minute tirade</a> on November 12. Trump mocked Carson's story that as a boy, he once tried but failed to stab someone only to have the knife broken by a belt buckle. "So I have a belt: Somebody hits me with a belt, it's going in because the belt moves this way. It moves this way, it moves that way," Trump told the crowd in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
Trump flips his belt buckle while slamming fellow Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson during a 95-minute tirade on November 12. Trump mocked Carson's story that as a boy, he once tried but failed to stab someone only to have the knife broken by a belt buckle. "So I have a belt: Somebody hits me with a belt, it's going in because the belt moves this way. It moves this way, it moves that way," Trump told the crowd in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
CNN
Trump appears in a parody of Drake's "Hotline Bling" video while hosting "Saturday Night Live" on November 7. The episode <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmoney.cnn.com%2F2015%2F11%2F12%2Fmedia%2Fdonald-trump-saturday-night-live-ratings%2F" target="_blank">brought in</a> an average of 9.3 million viewers -- the show's biggest audience in years.
Trump appears in a parody of Drake's "Hotline Bling" video while hosting "Saturday Night Live" on November 7. The episode brought in an average of 9.3 million viewers -- the show's biggest audience in years.
NBC/Broadway Video
Members of Latino organizations march from the Trump Tower to NBC studios in New York to protest Trump's "Saturday Night Live" appearance on November 7.
Members of Latino organizations march from the Trump Tower to NBC studios in New York to protest Trump's "Saturday Night Live" appearance on November 7.
Getty Images/Andrew Renneisen
A Trump supporter stands across the street from the Latino protest in New York on November 7.
A Trump supporter stands across the street from the Latino protest in New York on November 7.
Andrew Renneisen/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
A man holds a copy of Trump's newest book, "Crippled America: How to Make America Great Again," while he waits to have it signed by Trump outside Trump Tower in New York on November 3.
A man holds a copy of Trump's newest book, "Crippled America: How to Make America Great Again," while he waits to have it signed by Trump outside Trump Tower in New York on November 3.
Kena Betancur/Getty Images
Trump invites Colombian-born super fan Myriam Witcher on the stage during a campaign rally in Las Vegas on October 8. "I am Hispanic and I vote for Mr. Trump. We vote for Mr. Trump!" Witcher exclaimed.
Trump invites Colombian-born super fan Myriam Witcher on the stage during a campaign rally in Las Vegas on October 8. "I am Hispanic and I vote for Mr. Trump. We vote for Mr. Trump!" Witcher exclaimed.
Isaac Brekken/Getty Images
Trump speaks during the campaign rally in Las Vegas on October 8. During the rally, Trump said people were giving him credit for helping force House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy to bow out of the race for Speaker of the House.
Trump speaks during the campaign rally in Las Vegas on October 8. During the rally, Trump said people were giving him credit for helping force House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy to bow out of the race for Speaker of the House.
Isaac Brekken/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Trump is greeted on stage by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, a fellow Republican presidential candidate, before speaking at a Washington rally organized by the Tea Party Patriots on September 9.
Trump is greeted on stage by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, a fellow Republican presidential candidate, before speaking at a Washington rally organized by the Tea Party Patriots on September 9.
NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images
Trump asks an audience member to inspect his hair to verify it's real during an event in Greenville, South Carolina, on August 27.
Trump asks an audience member to inspect his hair to verify it's real during an event in Greenville, South Carolina, on August 27.
CNN
Trump takes a question from Univision and Fusion anchor Jorge Ramos during a press conference at the Grand River Center in Dubuque, Iowa, on August 25. Earlier, Trump had Ramos <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2015%2F08%2F25%2Fpolitics%2Fdonald-trump-megyn-kelly-iowa-rally%2F">removed from the room</a> after the two squabbled over Trump's immigration stance. "Sit down. Sit down. Sit down," Trump said, adding, "Go back to Univision."
Trump takes a question from Univision and Fusion anchor Jorge Ramos during a press conference at the Grand River Center in Dubuque, Iowa, on August 25. Earlier, Trump had Ramos removed from the room after the two squabbled over Trump's immigration stance. "Sit down. Sit down. Sit down," Trump said, adding, "Go back to Univision."
Scott Olson/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Laci Lamb, 6, declares Trump "awesome" and cheers at a Trump rally in Mobile, Alabama, on August 21. Her mother, Annie, made her outfit. "He's the best candidate we've had in a long time," Annie Lamb said.
Laci Lamb, 6, declares Trump "awesome" and cheers at a Trump rally in Mobile, Alabama, on August 21. Her mother, Annie, made her outfit. "He's the best candidate we've had in a long time," Annie Lamb said.
Melissa Golden for CNN
Trump greets fans after the Mobile rally, where more than 30,000 supporters from deep-red Alabama gathered in a football stadium.
Trump greets fans after the Mobile rally, where more than 30,000 supporters from deep-red Alabama gathered in a football stadium.
Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images
Trump speaks with reporters after arriving at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines on August 15. Trump gave children rides on his helicopter.
Trump speaks with reporters after arriving at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines on August 15. Trump gave children rides on his helicopter.
Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images
Trump eats a pork chop on a stick and gives a thumbs-up sign to fairgoers while campaigning at the Iowa State Fair on August 15.
Trump eats a pork chop on a stick and gives a thumbs-up sign to fairgoers while campaigning at the Iowa State Fair on August 15.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Trump fields a question during the first Republican presidential debate, which was held August 6 in Cleveland. Following the debate, Trump launched what would become an ongoing feud with Fox News host and debate moderator Megyn Kelly, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2015%2F08%2F07%2Fpolitics%2Fdonald-trump-republican-presidential-debate-megyn-kelly%2F">tweeting and retweeting attacks</a> against Kelly into the early hours of the morning.
Trump fields a question during the first Republican presidential debate, which was held August 6 in Cleveland. Following the debate, Trump launched what would become an ongoing feud with Fox News host and debate moderator Megyn Kelly, tweeting and retweeting attacks against Kelly into the early hours of the morning.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
Trump takes a break from the campaign trail and visits his golf course Turnberry in Ayr, Scotland, with his daughter Ivanka on July 30.
Trump takes a break from the campaign trail and visits his golf course Turnberry in Ayr, Scotland, with his daughter Ivanka on July 30.
Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Trump talks to the media along the U.S.-Mexico border during a trip to Laredo, Texas, on July 23. This is where <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2015%2F07%2F23%2Fpolitics%2Fdonald-trump-hat-border-tour-laredo%2F">Trump first premiered</a> his "Make America Great Again" hat.
Trump talks to the media along the U.S.-Mexico border during a trip to Laredo, Texas, on July 23. This is where Trump first premiered his "Make America Great Again" hat.
Matthew Busch/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Trump gives out U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham's private cell phone number at a rally in Graham's home state of South Carolina on July 22. He urged attendees to "give it a shot" and call it. The two presidential candidates engaged in a feud in which Graham called Trump a "jackass" and Trump called Graham "a total lightweight."
Trump gives out U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham's private cell phone number at a rally in Graham's home state of South Carolina on July 22. He urged attendees to "give it a shot" and call it. The two presidential candidates engaged in a feud in which Graham called Trump a "jackass" and Trump called Graham "a total lightweight."
A Trump piñata is set up inside Lorena Robletto's shop in downtown Los Angeles. Piñatas in Trump's image <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2015%2F07%2F22%2Fpolitics%2Fmaevewest-donald-trump-2016-silent-majority%2F">became hot sellers</a> following outrage and anger over his rhetoric about Mexican immigrants.
A Trump piñata is set up inside Lorena Robletto's shop in downtown Los Angeles. Piñatas in Trump's image became hot sellers following outrage and anger over his rhetoric about Mexican immigrants.
Trump poses with his family after he<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2015%2F06%2F16%2Fpolitics%2Fdonald-trump-2016-announcement-elections%2F"> announced his candidacy</a> June 16 at Trump Tower in New York. Pictured with Trump, from left to right, are Trump's son Eric Trump, daughter in-law Lara Yunaska Trump, son Barron Trump, wife Melania Trump, daughter-in-law Vanessa Haydon Trump, granddaughter Kai Madison, son Donald Trump Jr., grandson Donald John Trump III, and daughter Ivanka Trump. Trump called for erecting a massive wall on the U.S.-Mexico border and said Mexican immigrations are 'bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people."
Trump poses with his family after he announced his candidacy June 16 at Trump Tower in New York. Pictured with Trump, from left to right, are Trump's son Eric Trump, daughter in-law Lara Yunaska Trump, son Barron Trump, wife Melania Trump, daughter-in-law Vanessa Haydon Trump, granddaughter Kai Madison, son Donald Trump Jr., grandson Donald John Trump III, and daughter Ivanka Trump. Trump called for erecting a massive wall on the U.S.-Mexico border and said Mexican immigrations are 'bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people."
Christopher Gregory/Getty Images

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