Can Trump Repeat a 132-Year-Old Feat?
Donald Trump now has the chance to make new history. After 132 years, he’s the first former president to run for office again after a loss. If he can defeat Kamala Harris in this election, Trump’s name will join Grover Cleveland's in the history books, as Cleveland is the only U.S. president to lose an election and then win a comeback.
Running again after a loss is rare in American history. If Trump wins this time, he will achieve a historic presidency.
132 years ago, Grover Cleveland was the only one with this unique accomplishment in U.S. political history. He was first elected in 1884, ran again in 1888 as the Democratic candidate, but lost to Republican Benjamin Harrison. Later, in 1892, Cleveland ran again, defeating Harrison to reclaim the White House. He became the 22nd and 24th president of the United States.
In 1912, former Republican President Theodore Roosevelt also attempted a comeback, running as the Progressive Party candidate. However, he lost to Democrat Woodrow Wilson.
Trump's path mirrors Cleveland’s and Roosevelt’s so far, but the final difference will come with the election results. Trump, the Republican candidate, won in 2016 but lost the next election. This year marks his third run. If he wins, he’ll make history like Cleveland; if he loses, his story will resemble Roosevelt’s.
Interestingly, Trump and Cleveland share similar ideals: both advocate for reduced foreign intervention and military spending. Their economic policies align as well, and both faced accusations of dishonesty. For instance, Trump was accused of faking illness to avoid attending a military event in Vietnam, while Cleveland is said to have sent a substitute to fight in the Civil War in his place. Analysts believe such actions caused voters to deny them a second term initially.
Experts say both Cleveland and Trump had controversial first terms, yet Cleveland overcame this to win on his third attempt.
Can Trump, like Cleveland, earn public trust again and repeat history after 132 years? If he succeeds, he will be the first Republican president to achieve this feat.
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