The Donald Dominates 2016 Presidential Race

Donald Trump

Real-estate magnate Donald Trump is on a roll. And three-plus weeks into his presidential campaign, he doesn't seem to be slowing down.

Not even a phone call from the leader of the national Republican Party — reportedly asking the presidential candidate to "tone it down" when it comes to his crusade against illegal immigration — has had much of an effect.

Business Insider reports the Trump campaign is a phenomenon rarely seen in presidential politics, boosted by his celebrity status, scorched-earth approach to his party rivals, and unfiltered self-promotion. Cable news channels have dedicated a seemingly endless amount of segments to Trump's comments. News websites have relentlessly covered every Trump tweet, outburst, and interview. Almost every single presidential candidate — Republican and Democrat — has either been willing or forced to respond to his statements.

And all this appears to be working for Trump so far: The real-estate developer surged into first place in at least two polls this week.

In a Economist/YouGov poll released Thursday, Trump holds 15% of the Republican vote nationally — ahead of former Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida (11%). But the good news for Trump didn't stop there.

A new Public Policy Polling survey of North Carolina published Wednesday also placed Trump ahead of the GOP pack among GOP voters in the Tar Heel state. In that poll, Trump led Bush 16% to 12%.