Throughout his political career, Donald Trump has been at the center of numerous controversies that would have spelled the end for most politicians. Despite this, Trump has not only survived but thrived, with his base remaining loyal. Here are five scandals that should have ended his political career but didn’t.
The Access Hollywood Tape (2016)
In October 2016, a month before the presidential election, a tape surfaced in which Trump bragged about groping women, famously saying, “When you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything.
Grab them by the p***y.” Many believed this would cost him the election, but Trump deflected the criticism, dismissing the comments as "locker room talk." He survived, and went on to win the presidency.
Mocking a Disabled Reporter (2015)
In November 2015, during his first campaign, Trump was accused of mocking Serge Kovaleski, a disabled journalist, during a rally.
Trump mimicked Kovaleski’s physical condition to dismiss the reporter's criticism. Despite widespread condemnation, Trump denied knowing about the reporter’s disability and refused to apologize.
Attacking Gold Star Parents (2016)
During the 2016 campaign, Trump lashed out at Khizr and Ghazala Khan, parents of a Muslim American soldier killed in Iraq, after they criticized his proposed Muslim ban during the Democratic National Convention.
Trump suggested that Ghazala Khan didn’t speak because of her religion, sparking outrage from both parties. Yet, his campaign pushed forward.
Comments About Megyn Kelly (2015)
After a heated debate with Fox News host Megyn Kelly, Trump suggested her tough questioning was due to her menstruation, saying she had “blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever.” This sexist remark led to public backlash, but Trump avoided lasting political damage.
The Fifth Avenue Shooting Remark (2016)
At a 2016 campaign rally, Trump joked that he could “stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody” without losing support. The comment highlighted his confidence in his base’s loyalty. Remarkably, his prediction was not far off—his support remained strong despite the controversies.
Despite these scandals, Trump has maintained a fiercely loyal base, illustrating his extraordinary political resilience and the changing landscape of American politics.
