Donald Trump

Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021, and then again beginning in 2024. He belongs to the Republican Party.

Trump grew up in a wealthy family in New York City and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1968. He took over his family's real estate business in 1971, renaming it the Trump Organization. He built many famous buildings and also became well-known for hosting the television show The Apprentice from 2004 to 2015.

Trump won the 2016 presidential election and began his first presidency focused on changing laws about the environment, taxes, and international agreements. After losing the 2020 presidential election, he tried to change the election result, which led to important events in 2021. He was later elected again in 2024 and began his second presidency with major changes in foreign policy and domestic actions.

Trump's leadership style, known as Trumpism, has had a major influence on the Republican Party. His time in office has been studied and discussed widely by historians and scholars.

Early life and education

Main article: Early life and education of Donald Trump

Donald John Trump was born on June 14, 1946, in Jamaica Hospital in the Queens area of New York City. He grew up in a large house with his four siblings. His father, Fred Trump, helped him learn about business from a young age.

Trump went to private schools, including the New York Military Academy, where he learned the importance of working hard and doing his best. Later, he went to the University of Pennsylvania and finished with a degree in economics. Even as a student, he was already thinking about working in real estate.

Business career

Main article: Business career of Donald Trump

Further information: Business projects of Donald Trump in Russia, Tax returns of Donald Trump, and The Trump Organization

Donald Trump began his career in the real estate business with his father’s company, managing apartment buildings in New York City. He later expanded to Manhattan, where he developed major projects like the Grand Hyatt Hotel and Trump Tower. Trump also built casinos in Atlantic City, though they faced financial difficulties and filed for bankruptcy several times.

Trump licensed his name for various products and ventures, including golf courses and a short-lived airline called the Trump Shuttle. He also created Trump University, which sold real estate seminars and later faced legal issues for misleading consumers. His foundation, the Donald J. Trump Foundation, was dissolved after facing legal problems related to fundraising and financial mismanagement. Throughout his career, Trump and his businesses were involved in many legal cases and bankruptcies, especially with his casino projects.

Media career

Main article: Media career of Donald Trump

Donald Trump wrote or had others write 19 books, with his first, The Art of the Deal, becoming very popular in 1987. He appeared in many movies and TV shows between 1985 and 2001 and even worked with professional wrestling groups like WWE. In 2004, he became a television star by hosting The Apprentice, where he played a powerful boss and used the famous phrase, "you're fired." The show helped make him well-known and very wealthy.

Early political aspirations

Further information: Political career of Donald Trump

Donald Trump joined different political parties over the years. He started as a Republican in 1969, later became a member of the Independence Party in 1999, switched to the Democrat Party in 2001, returned to the Republican Party in 2009, was unaffiliated in 2011, and then became a Republican again in 2012.

In 1987, Trump shared his ideas about foreign policy and reducing government debt by paying for full-page ads in newspapers. He once asked to be considered as a running mate for President George H. W. Bush in 1988. Later, he tried to run for president in the year 2000 but decided to stop. In 2011, he thought about running against President Barack Obama in the 2012 election but finally chose not to.

2016 presidential election

Main article: 2016 United States presidential election

Donald Trump began his campaign for the 2016 election in June 2015. He used the slogan "Make America Great Again" and presented himself as a successful businessman without political experience. Trump became the leading candidate for the Republican Party and was officially chosen as their nominee in May 2016.

Trump talked about changing many important issues in the United States. He wanted to change trade agreements, strengthen immigration laws, and build a wall along the border with Mexico. He also talked about cutting taxes and changing healthcare laws. After a close race, Trump won the election with 304 electoral votes, becoming the 45th president of the United States.

First presidency (2017–2021)

Main article: First presidency of Donald Trump

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of the Donald Trump presidencies § First presidency (2017–2021).

Donald Trump was inaugurated on January 20, 2017. The day after his inauguration, many people around the world protested against him, including a large gathering in Washington, D.C. During his first few weeks as president, Trump signed several important orders. These included steps to change health care laws, pull out of a trade agreement, support major building projects, and plan for a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico.

Trump took office during a time of strong economic growth in the United States. He signed a major tax law in 2017 that changed taxes for many people and businesses. He also made changes to environmental rules, often supporting more use of natural resources. His administration made many changes to health and safety rules, sometimes reducing protections for people.

Trump faced many challenges during his time in office, including investigations into his actions and two times when Congress tried to remove him from office. He also led the country during the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused many difficulties for people and the economy. After losing the 2020 election, Trump made claims that the results were unfair, leading to protests and a serious event at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Between presidencies (2021–2025)

After leaving the White House in 2021, Donald Trump moved to Mar-a-Lago and set up an office there. He continued to make claims that the 2020 election was not fair, which many people disagreed with. During this time, he stayed very involved in the Republican Party, supporting many candidates in elections and raising a lot of money for his activities.

Trump also started a social media platform called Truth Social in 2022. In 2024, his company became a public business. He faced many legal challenges during these years, including lawsuits and investigations related to documents he took from the White House and other matters. Despite these issues, Trump announced he would run for president again in 2024. His campaign focused on Republican ideas, and he won the election in November 2024, becoming president again.

Second presidency (2025–present)

Main article: Second presidency of Donald Trump

Donald Trump began his second term as president on January 20, 2025. He became the oldest person to assume the presidency and the first president to have a felony conviction. He was also the second person to serve two nonconsecutive terms as president.

Trump issued many executive orders quickly at the start of his term. These orders were challenged in over 550 lawsuits, with mixed results. Trump criticized the judiciary for ruling against him and claimed the right to ignore federal laws in some cases. His administration faced concerns about conflicts of interest, as he kept his business interests and did not place his assets in a blind trust, unlike previous presidents.

Rhetoric, behavior, and political practice

Main articles: Political positions of Donald Trump and Rhetoric of Donald Trump

Donald Trump's political career brought some far-right ideas into mainstream discussion. His supporters formed a movement called Trumpism, which focused on his unique style and policies. His speeches often aimed to stir strong emotions and were described as populist or right-wing populist.

Trump's comments about different racial and ethnic groups were often criticized. He made statements that many saw as unfair or hurtful. During important events, his actions and words sometimes led to controversy. His way of speaking and the stories he shared influenced many people's views, sometimes causing debates and disagreements.

Assessments

Main articles: Public image of Donald Trump and Opinion polling on the first Trump presidency

During his time as president from 2017 to 2021, Donald Trump had mixed support. Many people who voted for him liked his leadership, but others did not. International opinions of U.S. leadership also changed during his time in office.

Historians and scholars have studied how Trump compares to other U.S. presidents. After his first term, some surveys placed him among the least favored presidents in history. He was often rated low in areas like leadership and moral authority, though some thought he was good at taking risks.

Personal life

Family

Main article: Trump family

Donald Trump married Ivana Zelníčková in 1977, and they had three children: Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric. After divorcing in 1990, he married model and actress Marla Maples in 1993, with whom he had one daughter, Tiffany. In 2005, he married Slovenian model Melania Knauss, and they have a son named Barron.

Wealth

Main article: Wealth of Donald Trump

Trump began his career with money from his father and built a large real estate business. Over the years, his reported wealth has varied widely. In 2015, his net worth was estimated at $4.5 billion, and by 2026, it was estimated at $6.5 billion, ranking him among the wealthiest people in the world.

Health

Main article: Age and health concerns about Donald Trump

Trump claims he has never drank alcohol, smoked, or used drugs, and that he gets by on very little sleep. He enjoys playing golf but usually uses a golf cart to travel the course.

Religion

Trump describes himself as a Christian and has held various religious affiliations over the years. During his presidency, he appointed a pastor to advise him on faith-related matters.