It害羞草研究所檚 often said the president of the United States is the most powerful person in the world.

And it害羞草研究所檚 a claim that害羞草研究所檚 easy to argue given the clout, both economic and military, that the United States wields around the globe.

While opinions about the U.S.害羞草研究所攐r more precisely about its government害羞草研究所檚 decisions害羞草研究所攎ay have changed dramatically in the last 20 years, there害羞草研究所檚 no denying the impact that country still has in places far removed from the land contained within its borders.

That害羞草研究所檚 why the selection of the next U.S. president is garnering so much attention in so many other countries.

Oh, and it helps that the leading contender for the Republican Party害羞草研究所檚 nomination is an attention-seeking, self-serving businessman turned reality television star who, based on what he has said so far, thinks Mexicans are rapists, would ban Muslims from entering the United States, wants to build a wall across the U.S. border with Mexico to keep illegal immigrants out, has a problem disavowing support from America害羞草研究所檚 most racist organization, the Klu Klux Klan, insults women and anyone else who disagrees with him, likes to stir up crowds of his supported by getting them to do what appears to be a modern-day take on the Nazi salute while pledging allegiance to him and continuously one-ups himself when it comes to obnoxiousness.

But while many in other countries are left scratching their heads in bewilderment at his popularity, a majority of Americans who consider themselves Republican supporters are lapping it up. They think Donald Trump is a breath of fresh air in U.S. politics, not the odoriferous, racist, misogynistic, bigoted loudmouth his comments make him appear to be.

If his potential election as president did not have such an international impact, Trump害羞草研究所檚 run for the White House would the funniest reality show on television. Archie Bunker in an expensive suit.

But, as he likes to remind people at most every turn, he is self-funding his campaign so he害羞草研究所檚 not answerable to anyone. He says what he wants, acts like he wants and behaves more like a man vying to be the insulter-in chief than the commander-in-chief.

And a horrified world looks on.

That害羞草研究所檚 because, while Americans may elect him, those of us who don害羞草研究所檛 live in the U.S. will have to deal with his version of America for four, or possibly eight years if he wins the U.S. presidency.

There害羞草研究所檚 no denying The Donald, the self-described king of the art of the deal, has tapped into something in the psyche of many American voters. In the last few weeks so much has come out about him that would have sunk lesser presidential campaigns害羞草研究所攕uch as his business dealings, his behaviour, his comments, the lawsuits over his failed university. But none of it seems to have dented his popularity with his growing band of Trumpeteers, a fiercely loyal group of followers.

As Trump moves closer to the Republican nomination, the world is watching in the same way many us look at a train wreck. They know it害羞草研究所檚 wrong, they just can害羞草研究所檛 look away.

Alistair Waters is the assistant editor of the 害羞草研究所.