Donald Trump and Kamala Harris: A comparative profile of the presidential candidates

Harris and Biden have pushed for historic labor and infrastructure policies during their tenure in the White House. (EFE/ARCHIVE)

As the 2024 presidential election approaches in USAthe candidates Donald Trump y Kamala Harris emerge as the leading figures in the race, each with a distinct career and a significant track record in politics and finance. This comparative profile examines their backgrounds, education and career paths, offering a detailed look at the presidential hopefuls.

Donald Trump took over the reins of the Trump Organization in 1971 (EFE/WILL OLIVER)

Donald Trump Trump, 78, has been a central figure in American politics and business for decades. His career, spanning from real estate to the presidency, has been marked by successes and controversies. Trump, 78, is attempting a surprising political comeback that could bring him back to power. White House in the 2024 elections.

Donald John Trump Born on June 14, 1946 in Queens, New York, he is the fourth son of real estate magnate Fred Trump. Despite the family’s wealth, he was expected to work in the lower-level positions within his father’s company and was sent to a military academy at age 13 due to behavioral problems at school. After earning a degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvaniabecame the favourite to succeed his father when his older brother, Fred, decided to become a pilot. Fred Trump died at the age of 43 due to alcoholism, leading Donald to avoid alcohol and cigarettes throughout his life.

In 1971, Trump took over the reins of the family business, which he renamed Trump OrganizationUnder his leadership, the company moved from residential units in Brooklyn and Queens to dazzling projects in Manhattan. Fifth Avenue became the home of the Torre Trumppossibly the tycoon’s most famous property and his home for many years. He also restored the dilapidated Hotel Commodoremaking it the Grand Hyatt.

Trump’s name expanded beyond the real estate sector. He was the owner of beauty pageants Miss Universe, Miss USA y Miss Teen USAand created and presented the reality show NBC The ApprenticeFor 14 seasons, his signature line “You’re fired!” became a cultural icon. He has also written several books and appeared in movies and professional wrestling shows, according to the Trump Library website.

Trump announced his presidential bid in 2015 with a promise to “Make America Great Again.” (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Despite his success, Trump has also faced financial difficulties. He has filed for corporate bankruptcy six times and several of his companies, such as Trump Steaks y Trump Universityhave gone bankrupt. It has also shielded its tax information from public scrutiny, and a 2020 report from the New York Times revealed years of income tax evasion and chronic financial losses.

In his personal life, Trump has been married three times. His first wife was Ivan Zelnickovawith whom he had three children: Donald Jr., Ivanka y EricThey divorced in 1990. He then married actress Marla Mapleswith whom she had a daughter, Tiffanybefore divorcing in 1999. His current wife is the former Slovenian model Melania Knausswith whom he has a son, Barron.

Trump has faced numerous allegations of sexual misconduct and extramarital affairs. Earlier this year, two independent juries ruled that Trump defamed the writer E. Jean Carroll by denying her sexual assault allegation, and was ordered to pay her $88 million in total, though he has appealed. He was also convicted of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money deal with the adult film actress. Stormy Daniels for an alleged extramarital encounter in 2006.

Trump has been married three times: to Ivana Zelnickova, Marla Maples and his current wife, Melania Knauss, a former Slovenian model (EFE/ALLISON DINNER)

In the political arena, Trump began hinting at a presidential run in 1987. He briefly considered running in 2000 with the Reformist Party and again in 2012 as a Republican. He was a leading proponent of “birtherism,” the conspiracy theory that questioned whether Barack Obama was born in the United States. He did not admit it was a lie until 2016 and has never apologized.

In June 2015, Trump formally announced his candidacy for the White Housedeclaring the American dream dead but promising to “bring it back bigger and better.” Under the campaign slogan “Make America Great Again,” he outperformed his rivals in the Republican Party to confront the democrat Hillary ClintonHe was sworn in as the country’s 45th president on January 20, 2017.

During his term, Trump withdrew from climate and trade agreements, banned travel from seven Muslim-majority countries, launched a trade war with Chinaimplemented record tax cuts and reshaped relations in Middle EastHowever, his presidency was plagued by controversy, including an investigation into alleged collusion between his 2016 campaign and Russia. Although no criminal collusion was established, Trump was impeached for pressuring a foreign government to dig up dirt on his Democratic rival. Joe BidenHe was acquitted in the Senate.

During his presidency, Trump faced a second impeachment following the January 6 riot at the Capitol (REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst)

In the 2020 election, Trump lost to Biden by more than seven million votes. Between November 2020 and January 2021, he amplified allegations of widespread voter fraud, claims that were dismissed in more than 60 court cases. Refusing to accept the results, Trump rallied his supporters in Washington on January 6, urging them to converge on the Capitol when the Congress was to formally certify Biden’s victory. That demonstration degenerated into a riot that led to a historic second impeachment. Trump was again acquitted by the Senate.

Despite being blamed for the Republicans’ poor showing in the 2022 midterm elections, Trump announced another run for president and quickly became his party’s clear front-runner. He faces 91 felony charges in four criminal cases, but his strategy of delaying prosecution has largely been successful.

Kamala Harris breaks barriers as first black woman US presidential candidate (REUTERS/Jim Vondruska)

Kamala Harris has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first black female presidential candidate in the United States, following the decision of President Joe Biden not to run for a second term. According to the report by the BBCHarris has energized liberal voters and raised a record $671 million in donations in the past two months, nearly triple what her Republican rival has managed to raise. Donald Trump.

The race of Kamala Harris She started out as district attorney for Alameda County and then San Francisco before becoming the first woman and first Black person to be elected attorney general of California. In 2016, she was elected senator for California, where she stood out for her incisive style in committee hearings. However, her 2020 presidential campaign collapsed in less than a year, until Biden chose her as his running mate, putting her back in the national spotlight, according to the White House website.

Harris breaks donation records with $671 million raised, tripling Trump’s figures (REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw)

During her time as vice president, Harris has focused on several key initiatives. She has set a record for tie-breaking votes in the Senate, helping to pass the Inflation Reduction Act and the American Rescue Plan. He also led efforts to address the root causes of migration amid a record influx of undocumented migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. He has also been a key figure in the administration in highlighting the harms caused by abortion bans following the repeal of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court in 2022.

Harris has used her platform to criticize Trump and Republicans for their efforts to restrict abortion access, vowing to restore the protections offered by Roe. In her inaugural address at the Democratic National ConventionHarris presented herself as an advocate for reproductive rights and freedom, aligning herself with a broader message of freedom.

Harris leads key initiatives such as the Inflation Reduction Act and the American Rescue Plan (REUTERS/Jonathan Drake)

Born in Oakland, CaliforniaHarris is the daughter of immigrants: her mother was born in India and her father was born in Jamaica. She was raised primarily by her mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harrisa cancer researcher and civil rights activist. Harris has spoken frequently about the lessons her mother taught her, highlighting her strength and courage.

Harris’s upbringing has also been diverse. She spent time in Canada when her mother took a job at McGill University, and attended school in Montreal for five years. Later, she studied at the Howard Universityone of the largest historically black universities in the United States, an experience he has described as formative.

In 2014, Harris married attorney Doug Emhoff and became a stepmother to her two children, Cole and Ella, who support her in her political career. Harris has been seen as an heir to generations of black activists, following in the footsteps of figures such as Fannie Lou Hamer, Ella Baker y Septima Clark.

Kamala Harris married lawyer Doug Emhoff in 2014, who actively supports her political career (EFE/Will Oliver)

As Vice President, she has worked to bring people together and advance opportunity, helping families and protecting fundamental freedoms across the country. She has led the fight for women’s freedom to make decisions about their own bodies, the freedom to live safe from gun violence, the freedom to vote, and the freedom to drink clean water and breathe clean air. She has also represented the nation abroad, strengthening critical global alliances.

Harris has been a trusted partner of President Biden, working together to create record numbers of jobs and keep unemployment low, pass the first significant gun safety legislation in three decades, and make a historic investment in the nation’s infrastructure.

Chosen as Biden’s running mate in 2020, Harris has been a key ally in the administration (Europa Press/Contacto/Chris Kleponis)

Harris’ career has been marked by her commitment to justice and equity, from her time as district attorney to her current role as vice president. Her story is a testament to her dedication to fighting for the people and fulfilling America’s goals.