Donald Trump, the billionaire real estate mogul who tossed his famous brand name into the 2016 presidential race, has catapulted himself to the top of the US political dung heap by hitting a raw nerve among disenchanted voters.

Trump’s stunning success in public opinion polls – he has about twice the likeability of his nearest rival – required no huge sums of money, no inordinate political flair or genius and no Karl Rove to launch him straight into the hearts and minds of Main Street, USA, which is still awaiting reimbursement for Obama’s Hope & Change Show that never premiered as promised.