Trump's success in business could also have ignited a ray of hope (or illusion) among some that the US will realize a real rejuvenation if he is at the helm of the country's affairs. Besides his commercial and managerial talent, Trump's straightforward and childish style of speaking may whet some voters' appetite for a new leader different from Obama.

Trump's success in the run-up to the Republican nomination can also be attributed to the good use he has made of the latent public fears over possible threats to the US. Trump's total lack of experience in political governance have been criticized and also created doubts over his candidacy, but his sensational remarks in a way echo the sense of fear some US citizens have. For example, the illegal flocking of immigrants from Latin American countries has caused some social problems in the US.

The quagmire of anti-terrorism the US has gotten into after the Sept 11, 2001, terrorist attacks has deepened the perception among some American people that the "clash of civilizations" is now one of the most thorny problems. Albeit impractical, Trump's proposal to build a wall along the US-Mexican border and his opposition to allowing Muslims to enter the US seem to point to the "crisis of civilization" that Samuel Huntington warned about.

Although US voters rest their hopes on new candidates during a presidential election, the lack of professionalism in Trump and his team has made many believe that his election would be a farce, for not only the Republican Party but also the whole of the US. It remains to be seen whether Trump will bring some hope to US people. But the "non-political" candidate has helped some people in the US to release their anger and feelings.

The author is an associate professor in the School of International Relations and Diplomacy, Beijing Foreign Studies University.