The Trump Files: When Donald Won an Election of Sexy Billionaires

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This post was originally published as part of “The Trump Files“—a collection of telling episodes, strange but true stories, and curious scenes from the life of our current president—on November 2, 2016.

The last time Donald Trump won an election was in 1998, and that contest was for the National Enquirer‘s “sexiest billionaire title.” Trump won with 70.3 percent of the vote, with Ralph Lauren coming in a distant second at 9.7 percent.

So what made Trump the choice of 300 ladies in a “nationwide poll?” “No question about it: Donald Trump has charisma,” one told the Enquirer. “I’d date him even if he were a taxi driver!” Another declared, “Trump can put his shoes under my bed anytime!”

“Going out with Donald would be a dream come true,” another woman told the tabloid. “His pouty lips make my knees quiver.”

Trump couldn’t help but bask in the glory. “I’m flattered,” he told the Enquirer. “It’s an honor.”

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We were built for times like these

Russian bots are impersonating us. Trump and his allies want to silence us. AI wants to (and does!) steal our content. The list goes on. But with 50 years of experience, we know we were built for this moment: We’re ready to keep diving deep and uncovering the truth, then getting that to you right here, completely accessible and never behind a paywall.

While our work is free to read, watch, and listen to online, it’s incredibly costly to make. Court documents, travel, research: It all adds up. Because we’re a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on reader support to fund our investigations. Will you stand with us in these extraordinary times, as headlines clamour for our attention and disinformation is rampant? We can’t get the truth out without you.

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