The year 2016 was shaping up to be another "election year."
In the original timeline, this showdown would unfold between Hillary and Donald Trump.
But even before the new year began, this "would-be father-in-law" of Martin's had already stumbled due to his big mouth.
It started on November 23rd during a speech where he claimed that during the 2001 "9/11" attacks, he saw on TV people in Jersey City, New Jersey, cheering as the World Trade Center collapsed.
Several incumbent New Jersey government officials immediately attacked these statements, calling them "completely false."
Seeing that he was about to be forced off the stage, Trump cited a 2001 article by then-Washington Post reporter Serge Kovaleski (who was working for the Washington Post at the time) that had been dug up by the current New York Times.
Trump claimed this report stated: Jersey City authorities "detained and questioned some people who were allegedly seen on a rooftop holding a celebration party for the 9/11 terrorist attacks."
However, many US media outlets later verified this and found Trump was spouting nonsense again: While Serge Kovaleski did write a related report, its content was about "rumors that some people were celebrating, but no related evidence was found." Moreover, Jersey City police never made any arrests.
On the evening of November 24th, an embarrassed and angry Trump, during a speech in South Carolina, pointed his middle finger and blamed Serge Kovaleski for "not acknowledging his past article."
He told the audience: "This poor guy, you should see him. He's like, 'I don't know what I said, I don't remember.'"
While speaking, Trump deliberately exaggeratedly waved his arms and opened his mouth wide—behavior the media interpreted as mocking Serge Kovaleski's physical disability, causing waves of laughter from the audience.
Serge Kovaleski has arthrogryposis, a congenital condition that limits joint movement, with symptoms particularly severe in his right hand and arm.
This gesture drew strong dissatisfaction from the New York Times and Serge Kovaleski himself.
On November 25th, a New York Times spokesperson publicly expressed anger over this and demanded an apology from Trump: "Trump joking about our reporter's physical disability is shocking."
But Trump's counter-operation was even more fierce.
On the afternoon of November 26th, he issued a statement not only denying that he had mocked Serge Kovaleski but also demanding that the New York Times apologize for its criticism.
"I didn't even know who this reporter Serge Kovaleski was, nor what he looked like," Trump stated.
However, a BBC news investigation later found that Serge Kovaleski had interviewed Trump twice, in 1987 and 1993.
"We were on such good terms back then that we could call each other by name," Serge Kovaleski was certain this presidential candidate remembered his physical condition and distinctive appearance. "Considering his past actions, Trump making such a mocking gesture doesn't surprise me at all."
But Trump consistently insisted his memory was fantastic and simply couldn't recall ever being interviewed by Serge Kovaleski.
He explained that his exaggerated arm-waving and wide-open mouth were describing the "look of regret after changing one's tune" and had nothing to do with discriminating against people with disabilities.
"I didn't even know he was disabled because I didn't know what he looked like. If I had known, I would never have made any comments about his appearance!"
Despite the cost in approval ratings, this billionaire continued his attacks on Twitter on November 27th, criticizing the New York Times for poor management and chaos in its operations, "They don't even have financial reserves and are in debt—what a mess!"
In the dining room, Martin laughed heartily reading the newspaper.
He had a premonition that this presidential election was going to be extremely interesting.
"Darling, could you tone it down a bit? He is my father, after all," Ivanka said helplessly, her frustration directed more at her eccentric old man than at Martin.
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry, I'll stop laughing. By the way, when are you joining your dad's campaign team?"
"In January. Ugh, I feel like it's going to be exhausting."
Ivanka sighed.
She had a headache that given her father's occasional "counter-operations," she, as the campaign's social relations manager, would probably be left cleaning up his mess.
"Martin, are you free soon? My dad wants to meet you," Ivanka said, somewhat embarrassed.
Martin knew Donald Trump was seeking his support.
Martin stroked his chin, thought for a moment, and agreed.
"Okay, let's make it this weekend."
Even though he had previously supported Obama, a Democrat, and Donald Trump was a Republican, for the top-tier capitalists of the USA's pyramid, they don't tie themselves to any single party. They only support the winner and their interests.
Of course, Martin already knew Donald Trump would win this election, so meeting him once couldn't hurt, right?!
It would be a good chance to state some of his demands to the other party, mainly focusing on continued US support for Guinea in terms of manpower, technology, and resources, something that had started during the Obama era.
If Donald Trump could satisfy him, Martin wouldn't mind switching his support; it would be more convenient anyway.
If the other party didn't agree, then he wouldn't mind spending some extra resources, funds, and effort to prop up Hillary Clinton and change the course of history.
Of course, he didn't think Trump would refuse; after all, Trump's was very persuasive.
The weekend meeting went very smoothly.
In private, Trump wasn't as arrogant and ignorant as he appeared.
Ah, after all, he's a billionaire who built his wealth to massive levels; how could he be a fool?
Those who believed he was a "fool" were the real fools.
This guy had high EQ, thick skin, and vast wealth. The "stupid, arrogant clown" persona was just a character setting created by his campaign team because they thought it would be more popular.
If you carefully observe Trump's words and actions, you'll find that although he is arrogant and rude, he never offends those he absolutely cannot afford to offend; although he often makes unconventional moves, he never harms his own interests; plus, this guy loves to perform on the internet...
Can't you see it? This guy is basically a "big-shot internet celebrity"!
He truly keeps up with the trends of the times.
...
After meeting with Trump, Martin received a call from Obama.
No need to ask; it was definitely to rally support for Hillary Clinton.
After all, back when Hillary dropped out of the primary race and fully supported Obama, Obama had promised her his full support when she ran for election.