MOST EXPENSIVE ELECTION
The 2016 US presidential election was
the biggest political news story of recent
times, not just in the USA but globally.
According to the Center for Responsive
Politics, the total cost of the elections
reached an incredible $6.6 bn (£5.3 bn).
When adjusted for inflation, that sum
represents $86.5 m (£69.5 m) more than
the previous presidential cycle in 2012.
As part of their election campaigns,
nominees Donald Trump (Republican)
and Hillary Clinton (Democrat) engaged
in the most watched televised
presidential debate (pictured), which
was seen by 84 million viewers in the
USA alone. Held on 26 Sep 2016, the
debate – the first of three – beat the
mark of 80.6 million set by Jimmy Carter
and Ronald Reagan in 1980.
Upon winning the election, Trump
and his Inaugural Committee raised
a record $90 m (£73.19 m) to cover the
costs of his commencement ceremony- the most expensive presidential
inauguration – which took place at
the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on
20 Jan 2017 (see p.146).
CONTENTS
Politics & Superpowers.......... 146
Money & Economics.............. 148
Crime & Punishment............. 150
............. 152
Flags............................. 154
Fashion Extremes................ 156
Toilets........................... 158
Society Round-Up............... 160
SOCIETY