Whatever your politics, there's no denying that Donald Trump is an opinion-divider. And while he's made some pretty horrific comments on Twitter over the years (google his tweets about Arianna Huffington and Kristen Stewart - dude needs to pipe down), and some weird-ass comments about subjects like global warming and his daughter Ivanka, it's since he has become a potential presidential candidate that his douchebag comments have been more worrying - but also strangely compelling.
If this man becomes President (Dear America, don't let this happen) - well, let's just he's going to need some serious Olivia Pope style 'handling' during his time at the White House. But is he like that slightly mad uncle you can dismiss on Facebook with his far right comments, or is he a genuine threat? Read his most face-palmy moments of 2015 and decide for yourself.
1. When he called for a ban on Muslims entering the US
In the wake of the deadly shootings in San Bernadino, California, Trump said in a campaign statement that a 'total and complete' shutdown of Muslims coming into the US should remain until the US authorities "can figure out" Muslim attitudes to the US. His comments were swiftly criticised by other Republicans and the White House, and a petition asking for Donald Trump to be banned from entering the UK garnered half a million signatures.
2. When he made outrageous claims about radicalisation in the UK
Trump also claimed that parts of the UK were so radicalised that 'the police are afraid for their lives.' David Cameron quickly criticised his comments as 'divisive and unhelpful', the Met Police publicly condemned the statement, and Boris Johnson said 'The only reason I wouldn't go to some parts of New York is the real risk of meeting Donald Trump.'
3. When he backed Katie Hopkins
Perhaps ignoring the fact that Katie Hopkins is the self-billed 'UK's most hated woman', Trump praised the controversial columnist after she said Trump was right about the UK being radicalised.
Donald, you probably aren't going to win people over like that.
**4. When he suggested they build a fence between America and Mexico - and said Mexicans were sending 'rapists' into the US **
Trump has a history of making offensive and ridiculous comments about America's latino community. He claimed that '[Mexico] are sending people that have lots of problems, and they are bringing those problems to us. They are bringing drugs, and bringing crime, and their rapists.' He then added he would build a 'great, great wall' in between America and Mexico.
**5. When he made dickhead comments about periods **
After being grilled by Megyn Kelly during the GOP debate, Trump claimed she was on her period. 'You know, you could see there was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever,' Trump told CNN host Don Lemon, adding that Kelly was 'off base.' He may have later claimed that he was referring to Kelly's nose, but that didn't stop people trolling Trump with updates on being on their periods.
6. When he tweeted a picture of the Nazis alongside #MakeAmericaGreatAgain
Trump accidentally tweeted a picture of the american flag with Trump, the White House, and um, Nazi soldiers super-imposed on it. The image, which was supposed to be American troops, was actually a stock photo of SS soldiers. He blamed a 'young intern' for the gaffe and deleted the tweet.
**7. When he thought he could shut down the internet **
At the Republican Presidential debate, Trump was asked if he'd wanted to close parts of the internet - as he had claimed this would be a way to stop Isis.** **His response? 'I would certainly be open to closing areas where we are at war with somebody...I sure as hell don’t want to let people that want to kill us and kill our nation use our Internet. Yes, sir, I am.' Someone needs to tell him shutting down the internet ain't going to work.
8. When he promised to kill the families of terrorists
Even for Trump, this seems a bit vindictive and nuts. He suggested that killing the familieis of Isis terrorists would help defeat the organisation - even though that's technically classed as a war crime. He said on* Fox and Friends*: 'And the other thing is with the terrorists, you have to take out their families. They, they care about their lives. Don’t kid yourself. But they say they don’t care about their lives. You have to take out their families.'
9. When he suggested a Muslim registry would be a good idea as well as closing down mosques in the US
Trump ranted that the US would have 'absolutely no choice' but to close down some mosques where 'some bad things are happening' in an interview on Fox's Hannity programme. He also said he would 'certainly' and 'absolutely' create a database of Muslims.
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.