Was it all a publicity stunt from the beginning? Was she simply looking for an additional bullet-point to add to her CV and dust-jackets?

that was what it was all about. In recent years, running for president was a way to promote yourself and your brand, though it is usually republicans who do it. Actually that was what Trump was doing, but he screwed up and ended up winning. We live in very strange times.

My understanding was that it was some other group that did that.

🤔

by running for president in an effort to promote his brand. I'm not sure he realized how effective Putin's election tampering would be. No one thought he could win, not even Trump. He loved the rallies though and got wrapped up in all the attention. I don't think initially he ever expected to have such a devoted following.

Trump had prepared to lose and was ready to blame it on a rigged system, hence keeping himself in the limelight for as long as possible. (He hadn't even prepared an acceptance speech.) From there, he could launch a Trump TV network and keep promoting his businesses. He could feed his gigantic ego and his bank account at the same time.

It won't be long before she buys her third house, I imagine. Supposedly, running for public office can be very profitable in more ways than one.