TRUMP
Real Name: Carlton Sanders
Identity/Class: Human technology user;
Citizen of USA with a criminal record;
identity known to authorities
Education: College degree in drama; extensively studied clowning, illusions, bridge, and stage magic
Occupation: Professional criminal, magician, illusionist, and children's show host
Group Membership: None
Affiliations: Stewart "Stymie" Schmidt;
formerly Black
Mamba (Tanya Sealy)
Enemies: Captain America (Steve Rogers), Daredevil (Matt Murdock), Diamondback (Rachel Leighton), Falcon (Samuel Wilson), Moon Knight (Marc Spector)
Known Relatives: None
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: New York City, New York;
formerly Boca Caliente, Caribbean Ocean;
formerly New York City, New York
formerly Tulsa State Prison, Oklahoma;
formerly Bartlesville, Oklahoma (place of birth)
First Appearance: Daredevil I#203 (February, 1984)
Powers/Abilities: Sanders used his background as a stage magician to create a unique fighting style that is as flashy as it is deadly. Thanks to his training as an illusionist, he is able to seemingly go up in smoke and appear out of thin air. He is an expert at sleight-of-hand, and a skilled marksman.
Trump has above average intelligence as well as athletic stamina and reflexes. A fair hand-to-hand combatant, he generally avoids physical confrontation and employs weaponry when necessary.
In combat, he relies on a cane of his own design that can fire concussion pellets from one end, and has a taser (electrical stun-tip) that can release electrical shocks sufficient to stun or even kill with a single strike. He has used constricting ribbons to trap his victims and has equipped his gloves with a strobe light that can be used to temporarily blind his opponents. He also carries conventional hand guns and does not shy away from using lethal force. His costume is made of synthetic stretch fabric, and his cape carries numerous pouches holding objects common to magicians, like decks of playing cards, metal rings, handcuffs, scarves, etc. His gloves have pockets containing a garrote and razor blades, and his boots have hollow heels containing various lock-picking and escape tools. He also uses trained pigeons and rabbits. Much of his equipment was designed by various novelty companies.
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 242 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown
History: 
(Daredevil I#203 (fb) - BTS) - Carlton Sanders was born and raised in
the American Southwest, where he made an early career for himself as a
stage magician. Eventually turning to crime, he incorporated part of his
stage act to become the costumed criminal known as Trump, because he
always had a trick up his sleeve. Not afraid to use deadly force, he was
eventually caught and convicted for grand-theft and two murders. He was
sent to Tulsa State Prison to serve out his sentence, though he quickly
escaped and made his way to New York City, where he formed a new gang of
criminals around him, including Stymie Schmidt, one of Matt Murdock's
childhood bullies.
(Daredevil I#203) - Trump led Schmidt and three other henchmen to the docks, where they planned to rob a truck carrying high-tech guns that he wanted to sell to the west-coast mob. Daredevil happened to catch them in the act, quickly taking out three of the thugs before turning his attention to Trump, who calmly tried to distract the hero from the fact he was about to pull a hidden gun. Daredevil's enhanced senses picked up Trump's move and he instinctively dodged the shot, though being so close to the gun going off left him temporarily dazed. Trump and his men wanted to get away with the weapons truck, though Schmidt tried to run the hero over. Daredevil recovered quickly enough to get out of the way, causing Schmidt to drive into the water. Deeming the mission a failure, Trump and the others retreated.
(Daredevil I#203 - BTS) - After saving Schmidt and questioning him (as Matt Murdock), Daredevil learned of Carlton Sanders via Ben Urich, who filled him in on Trump's background.
(Daredevil I#203) - Regrouping in his base inside an abandoned brewery, Trump announced the next phase of his plan to his underlings, who were less than convinced he could pull off a raid on a nearby mob armory. Trump shocked some sense into one of his men with a concussion pellet from his cane, reminding him who was boss. He then used an old stage trick to disappear from view, quietly going to the local prison to permanently silence Stymie.
(Daredevil I#203 - BTS) - Making his way into the prison using a disguise, Trump managed to enter Stymie's cell and shocked the felon with so much electricity that his heart stopped. Satisfied, Trump left, unaware that Stymie's lawyer Matt Murdock was present and recognized his heartbeat from their previous encounter. After saving Stymie's life, Daredevil started to chase Trump.
(Daredevil I#203) - Daredevil chased Trump throughout New York, but the wily villain was able to escape by heading for the subway, where Daredevil had far more trouble focusing his hyper-acute senses. Scattering a deck of ordinary playing cards he carried on his person, Trump managed to shake the hero, but not before inadvertently tipping him off about his plan to rob the mob. Making his way into the mob warehouse using another disguise, Trump and his men quickly defeated the mobsters present, but were ill-prepared for the arrival of Daredevil, who took out his cronies within seconds. Trump fought the hero using his various tricks, including binding ropes, ribbons, and his electrified cane. When that wasn't enough to kill the hero, Trump ferociously started beating on him, which sent Daredevil into a blind rage--he began to pound on Trump, who was eager to surrender, planning to blind the hero with a strobe light concealed in his glove. However, it had no effect on Daredevil, who knocked him out.
(Captain America I#371 (fb) - BTS) - Eventually breaking free, Trump resumed his criminal activities. During his downtime, he went on a one-time date with Black Mamba (Tanya Sealy), but stuck her with the bill.
(Captain America I#371) - Feeling a desire to return to his roots, Trump upstaged a magic show in New York City attended by Steve Rogers and Rachel Leighton (Captain America and Diamondback, who were on a date)--Trump was spotted by Black Mamba, who was also present as an unofficial chaperone. Before Trump could cause any trouble, Mamba subtly used her powers of suggestion to enthrall him, making it appear to the audience as if he had hypnotized himself. Trump left the stage, chasing the beautiful woman Mamba made him see.
(Captain America I#411) - Trump was among the dozens of super-villains who attended the annual AIM Weapons Expo on Boca Caliente. Checking in at one of the island's fancy hotels, he was shoved aside by Crossbones (actually a disguised Captain America). Briefly considering striking back, Trump quickly realized he didn't want to get on the bad side of one of the Red Skull's best henchmen. He was later seen among the spectators who watched "Crossbones" fight Ramrod, Mad Dog, and General Wo in the arena.
(Captain America I#412) - When Batroc discovered "Crossbones" was actually Captain America, all the spectators, including Trump, rushed the stage to take on the hero.
(Captain America I#413) - Trump was unable to effectively fight Cap--like the others, he had agreed to hand over all his weapons during his stay on the island. Also, the sheer number of villains attacking at once made it impossible for anyone to get in a decent shot. In the end, Cap managed to get away.
(Starblast I#1) - During one of his heists, Trump ran into Moon Knight who immediately engaged him. Despite the fact the lunar-powered hero was having trouble concentrating (because the Starblasters were meddling with the Moon), Trump was no match for him and was quickly knocked unconscious.
Comments: Created by Steven Grant (writer), Geof Isherwood (pencils), Danny Bulanadi (inks).
So, who do you call when the Jester
isn't available? Enter Trump, a gimmick-laden villain so minor he was
even beneath the Scourge's
attention (...and that guy went out of
his way to kill the likes of Turner
D. Century--that's saying something). He also seems a
natural fit for the Death-Throws,
if he got something a tad more deadly than ribbons to throw.
As it lays, he hasn't been seen since 1994, and
though he doesn't exactly have the most exciting abilities, his costume
is rather memorable (especially when John Byrne
drew it on the cover of his debut issue).
Trump has a profile in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Master Edition
Profile by Norvo.
CLARIFICATIONS:
Trump has no known connections to
 |
(Daredevil I#203) - Mickey and other criminals were loading a truck with boxes of guns when Trump removed a mask and attacked. Daredevil soon intervened, chasing Trump off. --Daredevil I#203 |
images: (without ads)
Captain America I#371, p14, pan4 (main image)
Daredevil I#203, p12, pan1 (close-up)
Daredevil I#203, cover (origin issue)
Daredevil I#203, p16, pan5,6&7 (battling Daredevil)
Captain America I#411, p16, pan2 (cross at "Crossbones")
Daredevil I#203, p15, pan2 (Mickey)
Appearances:
Daredevil I#203 (February, 1984) - Steven Grant (writer), Geof Isherwood
(pencils), Danny Bulanadi (inks), Dennis O'Neil, Linda Grant (editor)
Captain America I#371 (June, 1990) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Ron Lim
(pencils), Danny Bulanadi (inks), Ralph Macchio (editor)
Captain America I#411 (January, 1993) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Rik
Levins (pencils), Danny Bulanadi (inks), Mike Rockwitz (editor)
Captain America I#412 (February, 1993) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Rik
Levins (pencils), Danny Bulanadi (inks), Mike Rockwitz (editor)
Captain America I#413 (March, 1993) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Rik
Levins (pencils), Danny Bulanadi (inks), Mike Rockwitz (editor)
Starblast I#1 (January, 1994) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Herb Trimpe
(pencils), Ralph Cabrera (inks), Mike Rockwitz, Ralph Macchio (editors)
First Posted: 01/01/2015
Last updated: 12/29/2019
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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