It’s nearly impossible to discuss Donald Trump without getting into his politics.
For some, the Republican candidate for the U.S. presidency is a breath of fresh air, an off-the-cuff politician who’s not afraid to speak his mind. For others he’s a racist, xenophobic demagogue whose policies are either comical, dangerous, or both.
But whether you were clapping along, slapping your knee in laughter, or covering your mouth in shock, it was undeniable that the man dominated headlines in North America and around the world this past year – for better or worse.
Here are some of the most outrageous moments from the “Year of the Trump.”
Mexico is sending “crime” and “rapists” across the border – but some are “good people” (see above)
Where better to begin than at the start, when Trump kicked off his bid for the White House in what was described as an epic, meandering, bizarre speech in New York City.
There were plenty of moments in that speech where Trump stepped outside the boundaries of what might charitably be called “traditional politics” – but one moment stood out above them all: Trump’s claim that Mexico is sending “rapists” across the border even though some are “good people.”
“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you, they’re not sending you. They’re sending people who have lots of problems and they’re bringing their problems with us (sic). They’re bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime, they’re rapists, and some, I assume, are good people.”
John McCain is only a war hero “because he got captured”
U.S. Senator John McCain served as a pilot during the Vietnam War. He was captured after his plane was shot down and was held more than five years as a prisoner of war (POW), during which he suffered extensive abuse at the hands of his North Vietnamese jailors.
For his service, he was awarded the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
But those facts apparently didn’t impress Trump, who slammed the onetime Republican presidential candidate based on McCain having been captured.
Trump said McCain “is a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured.”
For his part, Trump said he avoided service in the Vietnam War through student and medical deferments, adding that he did not serve because he “was not a big fan of the Vietnam War.”
Trump tangles with Fox News host Megyn Kelly, says she has “blood coming out of wherever”
During his first appearance on a debate stage, Trump ended up clashing with Fox News, a station generally considered to be right-wing friendly.
Specifically, Trump attacked host Megyn Kelly after Kelly asked him about previous disparaging comments he made in regards to women, calling them “fat pigs, dogs, slobs and disgusting animals.”
Trump clarified that those comments were not about all women, and specified Rosie O’Donnell in particular. The exchange with Kelly escalated into an ugly war of words which went on long past the debate ended, with Trump calling her a “bimbo” and wondering if she had “blood coming out of her wherever.”
The comment – which many interpreted as a thinly-veiled attempt to insinuate Kelly was menstruating – led many women to call out Trump on social media.
…and also tangles with Carly Fiorina over her face
Continuing the theme, Trump continued to take flack from women after he made derogatory comments about fellow Republican candidate Carly Fiorina.
In a phone-in interview on Fox News Channel’s Fox & Friends, Trump acknowledged he “probably did say something like that.” But he said, “I’m talking about persona, not about looks,” saying he spoke “in a jocular manner.”
…and also tangles with Heidi Klum over not being “a 10”
Having clashed with a member of the media as well as someone in his own party, Trump topped off his year of relating to women by taking a shot at super model Heidi Klum.
In an interview with the New York Times, Trump opined that “sadly” the 42-year-old model was “no longer a ten.”
The barb was met with good humour by Klum, who released a short video showing a man in a Trump mask ripping off a shirt she’s wearing with “10” on the front – to reveal another shirt with “9.99” underneath.
Trump mocks reporter with physical disability
Trump faced heavy criticism for mocking a New York Times reporter who has a disability during a rally in South Carolina.
Speaking in front of supporters, Trump ridiculed Times reporter Serge Kovaleski and an article the reporter wrote after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States.
“Now the poor guy, you gotta see this guy,” Trump shouted before launching into an impression of Kovaleski, jerking his arms around and holding his hands at a sharp angle in front of his chest. “Uh I don’t know what I said. Uh I don’t remember. He’s going like ‘Err I don’t remember. Maybe that’s what I said.’”
Kovaleski has arthrogryposis, a congenital condition that affects joint movement. Trump later said he had no intention to mock Kovaleski personally, saying he merely tried to impersonate a “flustered reporter.”
Trump will call Bill Gates and have him “close the Internet”
Trump suggested a one-step solution to solve the problem of ISIS recruiting new followers online.
The Republican presidential candidate suggested he could speak to Microsoft founder Bill Gates about simply “closing that Internet up” in a bid to curb people from being radicalised online.
“We have to go see Bill Gates and a lot of different people that really understand what’s happening,” he said during a campaign rally at the USS Yorktown in South Carolina.
Trump says Clinton got “schlonged” in 2008 election, jokes about her using the washroom
During a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Trump used crude language to portray Hillary Clinton as someone who constantly loses, citing her race against Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination in 2008.
“She was favoured to win and she got schlonged; she lost,” he said.
He also mocked Clinton for returning to the debate late following a commercial break. “I thought she quit, I thought she gave up,” Trump joked.
He later seemed to acknowledge reports that she got delayed waiting to use a restroom: “I know where she went. It’s disgusting, I don’t want to talk about it.”
And finally…Trump says his hair is not a toupee
-With files from James Armstrong, Nick Logan, Nicole Bogart and the Associated Press
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