It is increasingly likely that Donald Trump will become the Republican party’s presidential candidate, yet he is a phenomenon we are still trying to understand. One way to begin to analyse his rise is to look at historical and current comparisons. Here, Financial Times commentators reveal who they believe has most in common with Mr Trump.

Edward Luce

Mr Trump shares traits with many historic figures — Huey Long, George Wallace, Charles Lindbergh, Ross Perot and Father Coughlin, to name a few. But it is impossible to imagine Mr Trump without Rupert Murdoch. Through Fox News, Mr Murdoch has abolished the limits of acceptable politics in the past 20 years. If it sells it is good, no matter what the consequences. That is all you need know about Mr Trump’s politics.