When Donald Trump officially became a candidate for president, he changed the direction of American politics. While Trump surprised many by winning the Republican nomination for president, his door of opportunity appears to be closing in the general election.

Trump's downfall

It was in the middle of May when Trump locked up enough delegates to secure his spot as the Republican nominee, defeating 16 other conservatives running for a shot at the White House in the process. Heading into the general election, most political pundits and members of the media believed that it would be an uphill battle for Trump to climb, especially when it became clear that Hillary Clinton would be his opponent.

Though Trump was polling within the margin of error against Clinton as late as July, his momentum is now all but gone, as is his chance at walking out the winner on Election Day. As reported by The Wall Street Journal on September 1, Trump has all but lost any path to the presidency.

The most recent rolling average from Real Clear Politics shows Clinton with a five point national lead, as Trump continues to slip in recent weeks. The biggest problem for the former host of "The Apprentice" is not on a national level, but in battleground states where he is trailing by large margins.

In Pennsylvania and New Hampshire, Clinton is leading by over seven points, and most pollsters believe the door has been closed for Trump to make a comeback. In addition, Clinton holds a lead of over eight points in Michigan, and nearly 12 points in Colorado, and just under 11 points in Virginia.

The former Secretary of State even leads in Wisconsin, 45 percent to 39.7 percent, and Ohio, 44.8 percent to 41 percent.

In states where it was expected that a Republican would hold a strong lead, Clinton is up 42 percent to 40.5 percent in Iowa, and is down by only a half point in North Carolina.

Electoral Map

The Reuters electoral map has Clinton well over the 270 electoral votes needed for election, with 295 to Trump's 171.

The Real Clear Politics electoral map also has Clinton strongly ahead with 262 electoral votes, to only 154 for the billionaire real estate mogul. However, that map currently lists Florida, Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Missouri as a "toss up" state, where Clinton has recently expanded her leads. If Clinton is able to win at least one of those states, she will cruise to victory and become the next commander in chief. Trump's recent campaign changes appear too little, too late as the poll numbers are not likely to shift enough in his direction to walk out a winner.
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