A Year of Donald Trump: 12 Months, 12 Key Moments in His Presidential Campaign
Trump entered the 2016 race a year ago.
— -- This week has been full of celebrations for Donald Trump.
In addition to blowing out the candles for his 70th birthday, today the presumptive Republican nominee is celebrating his one year anniversary since announcing his campaign for president.
Here are 12 key moments from the presumptive Republican nominee’s presidential campaign:
Presidential Announcement - June 2015
On June 16, 2015, the real estate mogul-turned reality show star jumped into the 2016 presidential race.
The now-presumptive Republican nominee predicted he would be the most successful president for U.S. jobs that “God ever created,” and in his most infamous remarks, argued Mexico is not sending their “best” people to the United States, but rather “rapists.”
Lindsey Graham’s Cellphone - July 2015
Last July, when South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham called Donald Trump a “jack---,” Trump retaliated by reading Graham's cellphone number into the microphone during a speech in South Carolina.
“[Graham] said, 'Can you mention my name?' I say, 'Yes I will.' And he gave me his number,” Trump said. “And I found the card. I wrote the number down. I don't know if it's the right number. Let's try it.”
Anchor Jorge Ramos Tossed From Trump Event - August 2015
News anchor Jorge Ramos, who works for Univision and Fusion, was tossed from a press conference with Trump, while campaigning in Iowa, after trying to ask questions about immigration.
“You haven’t been called...go back to Univision,” Trump told Ramos before a security guard forcibly removed him, in August 2015. (Ramos later returned and was able to pose questions to Trump).
Trump Signs GOP Pledge - September 2015
The RNC sent all 17 Republican candidates a pledge to commit to supporting the eventual Republican nominee and not launch a third-party bid.
At a press conference held at Trump Tower in New York, Trump declared “I have signed the pledge,” holding up the document.
“So I will be totally pledging my allegiance to the Republican Party,” Trump said.
October 2015
Trump has had his feuds with then-presidential candidates Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and Carly Fiorina.
But one candidate in particular drew his scorn and ridicule -- Jeb Bush.
In an interview with Bloomberg on Oct. 16, Trump blamed Jeb's brother, George W. Bush, for the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
"I think I’m much more competent then all of them. I mean, say what you want, the World Trade Center came down during his time," Trump said.
Trump Hosts “Saturday Night Live” - November 2015
The presidential candidate caused controversy when it was announced that he would host the NBC sketch comedy show, “Saturday Night Live.”
Critics protested Trump’s appearance on the show, calling on SNL to “dump Trump.”
Trump’s sketches for the show included imaging what a Trump presidency would look like in 2018 and him dancing to a spoof of a Drake’s “Hotline Bling.”
Muslim Ban - December 2015
In a statement released back in December, Trump called for a "total and complete shutdown" of Muslims entering the United States until "our country's representatives can figure out what is going on."
The statement sparked a backlash from critics, however, Trump has recently not only doubled down on the proposal, but appears to have expanded it.
Skipping Republican Presidential Debate - January 2016
Ahead of the Iowa Caucuses, Trump announced he would not participate in a Jan. 28 Republican debate hosted by Fox News. The real estate mogul had been feuding with the network over what he said was unfair treatment at the first debate by Fox News host Megyn Kelly.
Instead of appearing on stage with his presidential competitors, Trump hosted a "special event to benefit veterans organizations" at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.
Trump later reconciled with Kelly.
Trump Wins New Hampshire Primary - February 2016
Trump got his first primary win in New Hampshire, reinforcing his frontrunner status and adding credibility to his unconventional campaign.
Exit polls in New Hampshire showed that Trump’s numbers were lifted by broad support among voters seeking a political outsider, anger at the Obama administration and strong worry about the economy and terrorism, along with substantial backing for some of his controversial policy proposals.
Trump’s Campaign Manager Charged in Dustup With Reporter - March 2016
Trump’s campaign manager Corey Lewandowski became embroiled in a controversy when he was charged with simple battery of then Breitbart reporter Michelle Fields.
Lewandowski was accused of grabbing Fields during a March 8 incident at the Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter, Florida.
Trump stood by his campaign manager, and suggested that Fields made up the story.
In April, the state's attorney in Florida decided not to move forward with criminal charges against Lewandowski.
Protests Break Out in California - April 2016
As Trump was going to address the California GOP Convention near San Francisco on April 29, an estimated 250 to 300 protesters gathered outside.
Although this was not the most violent protest that has erupted at a Trump event, nor as many arrests, there was enough of a threat to cause Trump to have to enter through a back entrance to avoid the crowd.
Trump Hits Magic Number to Clinch the Nomination - May 2016
On May 26, Trump clinched the Republican nomination after surpassing the 1,237 delegates needed to secure the GOP nomination.
Trump celebrated the milestone in his campaign with McDonald’s and a Diet Coke aboard his private jet.