Born June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York, Donald John Trump is the 45th and now 47th President of the United States. Long known to be one of the most inflammatory and influential figures of modern American politics and worldwide media, his ascent as real estate mogul and leader is a milestone both within America and around the globe. Known for his bold nature and aggressive policy, along with his legacy that has polarized everyone, Trump has changed political discourse and focused on the style of governance that appeals to a zealous following while causing mass debate.
Early Life and Education
Donald Trump was born into a business world. He was the fourth of five children to Fred Trump, a successful real estate developer, and Mary Anne MacLeod, a Scottish immigrant. This set up a solid foundation for his future in real estate.
Growing up in the affluent neighborhood of Jamaica Estates, Trump’s early life was marked by his father’s success in building affordable housing in New York City’s boroughs.
During his high school years, Donald Trump attended the New York Military Academy, a boarding school from which he would later often credit with instilling both discipline and drive. Immediately after high school, he attended Fordham University, but transferred to the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Finance and Commerce. He graduated in 1968 with a degree in economics, eager to take his place in and expand his father’s real estate empire.
Business Ventures and Development of a Brand
Donald Trump went directly to his father’s business after college, where he changed its name to the Trump Organization. Before long, his desire to market his brand was confirmed as he began major investments in real estate. In 1978, he purchased the Commodore Hotel in New York City. This is how he entered the New York City market.
Trump’s renovation of the Commodore, which he rebranded and opened again as the Grand Hyatt, was a turning point in his career that cemented his place in New York real estate.
Trump’s name became a symbol of luxury in the 1980s and 1990s while building properties all over the world and entering into casinos, resorts, and golf courses. Periods of financial struggles, such as corporate bankruptcies that happened a number of times, never dampened his reputation as an entrepreneur because he kept going through his charm and power of branding. In 2004, Donald Trump started becoming a television personality as he had The Apprentice-a reality show showing off his business acumen and pushing up his profile further in the public arena.
Trump’s business venture was more than real estate as he lent his name to an assortment of products ranging from clothes, cologne, to home furnishings. He made The Art of the Deal in 1987 a bestseller, but it became an entire cultural phenomenon and also something of a testament to this larger-than-life figure as well as his approach towards deal-making.
Entering Politics and the Road to the Presidency
While Donald Trump was dropping hints about his political ambition since the 1980s, it was not until 2015 that he declared himself a presidential candidate for the United States. Running as a Republican, Trump’s campaign took on an unusual approach while being populist in its appeal to a considerable section of the American electorate. It promised to “Make America Great Again,” energizing the voters who felt alienated, especially in light of economic changes that impacted middle America.
Trump, the Republican candidate, won the election on November 8, 2016, surprisingly defeating the Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. His win, after a strong focus on swing states, surprised political analysts and reshaped the American political landscape. On January 20, 2017, Trump was inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States.
Donald Trump Administration: Policies and Impact
Trump’s presidency was characterized by a number of bold and sometimes controversial policies. He worked on tax reform, and an offshoot of that was the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that reduced the corporate tax to a very low level. Immigration was another aspect of his agenda, as his administration had more rigid border policies, including attempting to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The “America First” policy of the administration was something that led to renegotiations of international trade agreements-most importantly, NAFTA was transformed into the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
His foreign policy administration was characterized by widely publicized summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, tensions that escalated with Iran, and tensions with NATO allies. His insistence on conservative appointments to the judiciary paid off in the form of confirmation of three Supreme Court justices, whose presence would shape American jurisprudence for decades.
Impeachments and Court Struggles
His time in office was not without great scandal. The House of Representatives voted on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress related to his actions on Ukraine against him in December 2019. On February 5, 2020, the Senate acquitted him. He also became the only United States president ever impeached twice when a second impeachment based on January 6, 2021, for incitement of insurrection occurred, which again left him acquitted by the Senate.
Even after he left the office in January 2021, the lawsuits did not end. In 2024, a New York jury convicted him of falsifying business records to cover a hush-money payment. That was his first criminal conviction as an ex-U.S. president. Other charges remaining include those over allegedly mishandling classified documents and plotting to overthrow the 2020 election.
A Surprising Comeback: Trump’s Return to the White House
In a historic political comeback, Donald Trump won the presidency once again in November 2024, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris. It was the first time since Grover Cleveland that a U.S. president served nonconsecutive terms. Despite facing multiple legal battles, Trump’s supporters rallied around him, seeing him as a political martyr targeted by his opponents. His renewed presidency reflects his influence on the Republican Party and American politics.
Personal Life
The personal life of the businessman is as publicized as his professional one. He has been married thrice: first, to Ivana Trump with whom he has three children, namely Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric; second, to Marla Maples, with whom he has one daughter, Tiffany; and finally to Melania Trump, with whom he has a son, Barron. Both of his business and political undertakings have had very visible participation from his family, including Ivanka, Eric, and Donald Jr., who actively participated in his administration and campaigns.
Legacy and Influence
The legacy of Donald Trump can be said to be very unique in American politics. He has left the political system of the United States through his unconventional and divisive ways of governance. From his tax cuts and his immigration policies to his choice of Supreme Court justices, the impacts of Trump, though he was a one-term leader, continue to shape policies even after he left. To his admirers, he is a transformative figure while his critics refer to him as a divisive leader whose presidency has deepened the political polarization.
Early Life and Education
Donald Trump was born into the world of business. The fourth of five children to Fred Trump, a successful real estate developer, and Mary Anne MacLeod, a Scottish immigrant, Trump’s family background laid a solid foundation for his future in real estate.
Growing up in the affluent neighborhood of Jamaica Estates, Trump’s early life was marked by his father’s success in building affordable housing in New York City’s boroughs.
In his teenage years, Trump attended the New York Military Academy, a boarding school that he later credited for instilling discipline and drive. Following high school, Trump briefly attended Fordham University before transferring to the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce at the University of Pennsylvania. He graduated in 1968 with a degree in economics, eager to join and expand his father’s real estate empire.
Business Ventures and the Birth of a Brand
Upon graduation, Trump joined his father’s business, which he soon rebranded as the Trump Organization. His ambition and ability to promote his brand quickly became evident as he expanded into high-stakes real estate investments. In 1978, Trump acquired the Commodore Hotel in New York City, a strategic move that launched him into Manhattan’s competitive real estate market.
Trump’s renovation of the Commodore, which reopened as the Grand Hyatt, was a turning point in his career, solidifying his presence in New York real estate.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Trump’s name became synonymous with luxury, as he built properties around the world and ventured into casinos, resorts, and golf courses. Despite periods of financial difficulty—including several corporate bankruptcies—Trump maintained his image as a successful entrepreneur, leveraging his charisma and brand power. In 2004, Trump became a television personality with The Apprentice, a reality show that showcased his business acumen and further elevated his public profile.
Trump’s business portfolio expanded beyond real estate, as he lent his name to various products, including clothing, cologne, and home furnishings. His best-selling book, The Art of the Deal (1987), became a cultural phenomenon and served as a testament to his larger-than-life persona and deal-making philosophy.
Entry into Politics and the Road to the Presidency
While Trump hinted at political ambitions as early as the 1980s, it wasn’t until 2015 that he formally announced his candidacy for the U.S. presidency. Running as a Republican, Trump’s campaign was characterized by its unconventional approach and populist message, resonating with a significant portion of the American electorate. His pledge to “Make America Great Again” energized voters who felt disenfranchised, particularly in the wake of economic changes that had affected middle America.
In a surprise victory, Trump defeated Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton on November 8, 2016. His victory, achieved through a strategic focus on swing states, shocked political analysts and reshaped the American political landscape. On January 20, 2017, Trump was inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States.
The Trump Administration: Policies and Impact
Trump’s presidency was marked by a series of ambitious and often contentious policies. His administration prioritized tax reform, leading to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which significantly lowered the corporate tax rate. Immigration was another cornerstone of his agenda, as he implemented stricter border policies, including an attempt to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The administration’s “America First” policy led to a renegotiation of international trade agreements, most notably transforming NAFTA into the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
On foreign policy, Donald Trump’s tenure was marked by high-profile meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, escalating tensions with Iran, and strained relations with NATO allies. His focus on conservative judicial appointments culminated in the confirmation of three Supreme Court justices, solidifying a conservative tilt that would influence American jurisprudence for years.
Impeachments and Legal Battles
Trump’s presidency was not without significant controversy. In December 2019, the House of Representatives impeached him on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress related to his interactions with Ukraine. The Senate, however, acquitted him in February 2020. Following the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, Donald Trump faced a second impeachment for incitement of insurrection, making him the only U.S. president to be impeached twice. Again, the Senate acquitted him.
Even after leaving office in January 2021, Donald Trump continued to face legal challenges. In 2024, a New York jury convicted him of falsifying business records related to a hush-money payment, marking the first criminal conviction of a former U.S. president. Other legal cases, including charges related to the alleged mishandling of classified documents and attempts to overturn the 2020 election, remain ongoing.
A Stunning Comeback: Trump’s Return to the White House
In a historic political comeback, Donald Trump won the presidency again in November 2024, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris. His return to office marked the first time since Grover Cleveland that a U.S. president served nonconsecutive terms. Despite facing multiple legal battles, Trump’s supporters rallied around him, viewing him as a political martyr targeted by his opponents. His renewed presidency reflects his enduring influence on the Republican Party and American politics.
Personal Life
Trump’s personal life has been as public as his professional one. He has been married three times: first to Ivana Trump, with whom he has three children—Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric; then to Marla Maples, with whom he has one daughter, Tiffany; and finally to Melania Trump, with whom he has a son, Barron. Trump’s family has played a visible role in both his business and political ventures, with Ivanka, Eric, and Donald Jr. taking active roles in his administration and campaigns.
Legacy and Influence
Donald Trump’s legacy is a testament to his unique place in American politics. His approach to governance, often divisive and unconventional, has left a lasting impact on the U.S. political system. From his tax cuts and immigration policies to his Supreme Court appointments, Trump’s influence continues to shape policy long after his initial term. His supporters view him as a transformative leader, while his detractors see him as a polarizing figure whose presidency intensified political divisions.