All the other major candidates are owned by somebody. They all have multimillionaire/billionaire sugar daddies that have flooded their Super-PACs with tons of loot.
Trump isn't financially-beholden to anyone.
“Trump isn’t financially-beholden to anyone”
His campaign appears to be primarily self funded with the exception of the small donations he does accept.
However, his business empire is highly leveraged. His real estate and construction deals require billions of other people’s money so to keep his company growing he must raise money from the same banks, investment companies, and billionaire private investors his political opponents depend on for campaign cash. In addition his deals require the support of local and state politicians who control the regulatory process (permits, licenses, zoning) as well as development incentives (tax abatements, new public roads). Trump’s businesses also rely heavily on union support in many metro areas.
Don’t be under any illusion the sugar daddies who finance political campaigns are unable to influence Trump. They may be standing back watching the show now but they can cut off the flow of borrowed capital to his business ventures at any time. Without access to borrowed capital, trump cannot refinance loans or put together new deals. Trump knows this and they know this.
While I like much of what Trump says I’m fully aware of his very real vulnerability to those who pull the levers of power through control of money. What is their ultimate game and how does Trump fit in? If Trump is truly acting independently today, what will he do if he pushes too far and the money changers stop loaning his businesses money? What will he do if the bureaucrats and politicians controlled by the sugar daddies start using the regulatory process to affect the day to day operations of his companies?
Nothing in today’s world is what it seems on the surface. Like all political figures, Trump is a pawn on a global chessboard and the power brokers who really control the game are invisible to us little people. If you don’t believe it, consider how two implausible figures (Bill Clinton and Barack Obama) came from nowhere to rise quickly to the Oval Office. Not only did they have access to virtually unlimited funds, every potential roadblock on their way was smoothed by a compliant press and supposed political opponents. Where does Trump fit on this landscape and who is pulling his strings?