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Opinion
Timothy L. O'Brien

Trump's Orlando Rally Shows He's Running Out of New Tricks

The president’s launch of his 2020 campaign sounded much like his 2015 pitch. But his failure to deliver on many of his old promises may hurt him.

I’ve got something old to sell you.

I’ve got something old to sell you.

Photographer: Joe Raedle/Getty Images North America

Four years ago, Donald Trump glided down an escalator into the lobby of Trump Tower, a building he regards as his signature accomplishment, for a marketing event. 

During a speech in which he boasted of his wealth and business acumen, and promised to tackle what he described as unchecked immigration from Mexico, unfair competition from China, and the “big lie” of Obamacare, he announced his presidential bid. “We are going to make our country great again,” he said. “I will be the greatest jobs president that God ever created. I tell you that.”