Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American businessman, media personality, and politician who served as the 45th President of the United States from 2017 to 2021. After winning the 2024 U.S. presidential election as the Republican nominee, he is set to return to the White House as the 47th president, with his inauguration scheduled for January 20, 2025.
Trump graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania in 1968. In 1971, he took control of his family’s real estate company, which he later renamed the Trump Organization, and expanded its portfolio to include luxury hotels, residential towers, and casinos. Despite facing several business bankruptcies in the 1990s, Trump diversified into branding and entertainment ventures. From 2004 to 2015, he gained renewed fame as the producer and host of the hit reality television show The Apprentice, further solidifying his reputation as a prominent public figure before entering politics.
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| Born | June 14, 1946 Queens, New York City, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican (1987–1999; 2009–2011; 2012–present) |
| Education | University of Pennsylvania (BS) |
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| Spouse | Ivana Zelníčková (m. 1977; div. 1990) Marla Maples (m. 1993; div. 1999) Melania Knauss (m. 2005) |
| Other political affiliations |
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| Children |
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| Parents |
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| Relatives | Trump family |
In 2016, Donald Trump secured victory in the U.S. presidential election as the Republican nominee. His administration introduced several controversial policies, including a travel ban targeting multiple Muslim-majority nations, an expansion of the U.S.–Mexico border wall, and a temporary family separation policy for detained migrants. During his term, Trump’s government reversed over 100 environmental protections, signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, and launched a trade war with China in 2018. He also withdrew the United States from key international agreements involving climate change, global trade, and Iran’s nuclear program.
On the diplomatic front, Trump held historic meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, though efforts toward denuclearization made little headway. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Trump was criticized for downplaying the virus, disputing health experts, and spreading misinformation, even as his administration enacted the CARES Act, a major financial relief package.
Trump’s presidency was marked by two impeachment trials—first in 2019, for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, and again in 2021, for incitement of insurrection following the January 6 Capitol riot. He was acquitted in both cases by the Senate.
His populist style and political ideology led to the rise of Trumpism, a movement centered around nationalism, skepticism of global institutions, and personal loyalty to Trump himself. His rhetoric and conduct were frequently labeled as racially charged, divisive, and misogynistic, while his presidency became synonymous with conspiracy theories and false claims—a phenomenon without precedent in U.S. political history. Historians and political scholars often rank him among the most controversial and lowest-rated presidents in American history.
After losing the 2020 election, Trump refused to concede, falsely alleging voter fraud and attempting to overturn the results—actions that culminated in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
In later years, Trump faced a series of civil and criminal cases. In 2023, he was found liable for sexual abuse and defamation, and in 2024, for financial fraud. That same year, he became the first U.S. president convicted of a crime, after being found guilty of falsifying business records—for which he received an unconditional discharge in January 2025. Two other indictments, involving classified documents and election interference, were dismissed following his re-election.
Early Life and Education
Donald John Trump was born on June 14, 1946, at Jamaica Hospital in Queens, New York City. He was the fourth of five children born to Fred Trump, a successful real estate developer, and Mary Anne MacLeod Trump, a Scottish immigrant. His heritage is German and Scottish, and he was raised in a wealthy household in Jamaica Estates, Queens. By age eight, Trump’s family wealth had already made him a millionaire in 2024-dollar terms.
Schooling and Military Academy
Trump attended the Kew-Forest School until the seventh grade but was known for his rebellious behavior. To instill discipline, his father enrolled him at the New York Military Academy, where he completed his secondary education. During this time, Trump showed an interest in leadership and in his father’s real estate business.
College Education and Draft Exemption
After graduating, Trump studied at Fordham University for two years before transferring to the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics in 1968. During the Vietnam War, Trump received five draft deferments—four for education and one for a medical condition (bone spurs in his heels), which exempted him from military service.
Academic Record Controversy
In 2015, during his first presidential campaign, Trump threatened legal action against his former schools and the College Board if they released his academic records to the public.
Personal Life
Family
Trump married Czech model Ivana Zelníčková in 1977, and they had three children: Donald Jr. (b. 1977), Ivanka (b. 1981), and Eric (b. 1984). Their marriage ended in 1990 after Trump’s affair with Marla Maples, a model and actress. He married Maples in 1993, and they had one daughter, Tiffany (b. 1993), before divorcing in 1999.
In 2005, Trump married Slovenian model Melania Knauss, with whom he has one son, Barron (b. 2006).
Health and Lifestyle
Trump claims that he has never smoked, consumed alcohol, or used drugs. He reportedly sleeps about four to five hours per night and considers golf his main form of exercise—though he usually rides a cart instead of walking the course. Trump has publicly expressed skepticism toward physical workouts, comparing the human body to a “battery” with a limited energy supply.
During his 2016 campaign, his personal doctor, Harold Bornstein, issued a letter declaring Trump to be “the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency.” Bornstein later revealed that Trump dictated the letter himself and that Trump’s representatives confiscated his medical records in 2017.
Business Career
Real Estate
Donald Trump began his professional career in 1968, joining his father Fred Trump’s real estate firm, Trump Management, which primarily focused on middle-income rental housing across New York City’s outer boroughs. In 1971, he assumed control of the company, renaming it The Trump Organization, and shifted its focus toward high-profile developments and luxury real estate projects in Manhattan. Working closely with attorney Roy Cohn, Trump defended the company against a federal lawsuit accusing it of racially discriminatory rental practices, a case later settled without admission of wrongdoing.
Trump gained recognition in the 1970s and 1980s for his ambitious Manhattan projects, including the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Trump Tower, and the Plaza Hotel. Despite his growing public profile, many of his ventures were plagued by debt and financial strain, resulting in several Chapter 11 bankruptcies for his properties—most notably his Atlantic City casinos and the Trump Plaza Hotel.
Atlantic City Casinos
Trump expanded into the casino and entertainment industry in Atlantic City, opening properties such as Trump Plaza, Trump Castle, and the Trump Taj Mahal. Initially heralded as symbols of success and extravagance, these casinos soon suffered from excessive debt and declining revenue. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, several of these ventures filed for bankruptcy protection, forcing Trump to restructure debt and reduce his ownership stakes while maintaining control over operations.
Licensing and Branding
A major component of Trump’s business empire involved licensing the “Trump” name to developers, consumer goods, and real estate projects worldwide. The brand appeared on hotels, condominiums, neckties, steaks, and even bottled water. These licensing deals generated millions in revenue but declined significantly after his 2016 presidential campaign, when many partners terminated their agreements due to political controversies.
Other Ventures
Trump also explored a wide range of other industries. He owned the New Jersey Generals, a football team in the United States Football League (USFL), operated the short-lived Trump Shuttle airline, and purchased rights to the Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss Teen USA pageants. His foray into education, Trump University, faced widespread criticism for deceptive practices and ultimately resulted in a $25 million legal settlement in 2016.
Philanthropy and the Trump Foundation
The Donald J. Trump Foundation, established in 1988, was initially promoted as a charitable organization supporting health and education causes. However, following investigations into self-dealing and misuse of funds for political and personal expenses, the foundation was ordered to dissolve in 2018 under court supervision.
Legal Affairs and Bankruptcies
By 2018, Trump and his companies had been named in over 4,000 legal cases across state and federal courts, according to USA Today. Although Trump never declared personal bankruptcy, his corporate entities filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy six times between 1991 and 2009, primarily due to overleveraged loans and declining revenues.
In the 1980s, Trump borrowed approximately $4 billion from more than 70 banks, leveraging his growing real estate empire. However, after a string of bankruptcies in the early 1990s, most major lenders—except Deutsche Bank—refused to extend credit to him. Following the January 6 Capitol riot in 2021, Deutsche Bank also ended its relationship with Trump and his businesses.
Wealth
Trump often claimed he began his career with “a small loan of one million dollars” from his father, which he said he repaid. However, financial investigations, including a New York Times exposé, revealed that he had received over $60 million in family support and inherited more than $413 million (adjusted for inflation) from his father’s estate.
In 1984, Trump famously impersonated an executive named “John Barron” to inflate his wealth during conversations with Forbes magazine. His self-reported net worth has fluctuated dramatically—from negative $900 million in 1990 to claims exceeding $10 billion in 2015.
As of December 2024, Forbes estimated Trump’s fortune at $6.3 billion, consisting of roughly $1.1 billion in real estate holdings, $1 billion in golf courses and resorts, and $3.5 billion in stock from Trump Media & Technology Group, his primary asset.
Media Career
Trump’s public image was shaped as much by media as by business. He has authored or co-authored 19 books, most notably The Art of the Deal (1987), a bestseller that solidified his reputation as a savvy businessman—though its ghostwriter, Tony Schwartz, later said the book exaggerated Trump’s achievements.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Trump appeared in films, TV shows, and talk radio programs, becoming a regular guest on The Howard Stern Show. From 2004 to 2008, he hosted a short radio commentary called Trumped!, and between 2011 and 2015, he appeared as a Fox & Friends guest commentator.
Trump was a member of SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) from 1989 until he resigned in 2021, ahead of a disciplinary hearing related to the Capitol riot. Two days later, the union permanently banned him.
The Apprentice and The Celebrity Apprentice
Trump reached a new level of fame through the NBC reality series The Apprentice (2004–2015) and its spin-off, The Celebrity Apprentice, produced by Mark Burnett. As host and executive producer, Trump portrayed a commanding business leader who eliminated contestants with his trademark line, “You’re fired!”
The show was widely credited with reinventing Trump’s public persona, presenting him as a decisive, self-made billionaire. The New York Times described it as a “highly flattering and largely fictionalized” depiction of his success. The franchise, along with associated endorsement deals, earned Trump over $400 million in total.
Early Political Aspirations
Trump registered as a Republican in 1987, though he switched affiliations several times before returning to the party in 2012. His early political involvement included full-page newspaper ads criticizing U.S. trade policy and foreign aid in 1987, and he even floated the idea of being George H. W. Bush’s running mate in 1988, though the proposal was never considered.
He briefly entered the 2000 Reform Party presidential primaries before withdrawing, and again considered a campaign in 2012, delivering speeches at CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference) and other early primary events before ultimately deciding not to run.
2016 Presidential Election
Trump formally announced his candidacy for President of the United States on June 16, 2015, from Trump Tower in New York City. Though initially dismissed by political analysts, he quickly gained traction through provocative statements, unfiltered rhetoric, and constant media attention.
His campaign emphasized trade renegotiations, strict immigration control, military expansion, and economic deregulation. Key proposals included building a wall along the U.S.–Mexico border, repealing the Affordable Care Act, and opposing Common Core education standards.
Trump’s campaign was frequently marred by controversy—particularly after he described Mexican immigrants as “criminals and rapists”, prompting NBC to end its partnership with him. Analysts noted that his campaign relied heavily on racially charged appeals to white working-class voters.
Breaking decades of precedent, Trump refused to release his tax returns, citing ongoing IRS audits. Leaked documents from 1995 revealed that he had claimed a $916 million loss, potentially allowing him to avoid paying federal income tax for several years.
On November 8, 2016, Trump won the Electoral College with 304 votes to Hillary Clinton’s 227, despite losing the popular vote by nearly 2.9 million. His election marked the first time in U.S. history that a president had no prior military or political experience. His victory sparked nationwide protests and reshaped modern American politics.
First Presidency (2017–2021)
Inauguration and Early Actions
Trump was inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States on January 20, 2017. The following day, millions of demonstrators participated in the Women’s March, one of the largest protests in U.S. history.
During his first week, Trump issued six executive orders, targeting the Affordable Care Act, border security, and the withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). He also ordered initial plans for the U.S.–Mexico border wall, fulfilling a major campaign promise.
Family Involvement and Conflicts of Interest
Trump’s administration featured unprecedented family participation, with Ivanka Trump serving as an advisor to the president and her husband Jared Kushner as senior advisor. His continued ownership of the Trump Organization while in office led to widespread accusations of conflicts of interest, as his policies often intersected with his personal business interests.
Economic Policy
Tax Cuts and Budget Deficits
During his first term, Donald Trump enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which lowered tax rates for both individuals and corporations. His administration argued that these cuts would stimulate economic growth and maintain government revenue. However, by the end of his presidency, the federal deficit had increased by nearly 50%, and the national debt rose by 39%, reaching a post–World War II high in terms of debt-to-GDP ratio. Despite campaign promises, Trump failed to deliver on his proposed $1 trillion infrastructure plan.
Environmental Policy
Climate Change and Fossil Fuels
A vocal skeptic of climate change, Trump reversed or weakened more than a hundred environmental regulations that were aimed at curbing carbon emissions and protecting public lands. He formally withdrew the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement, making it the only nation in the world not participating at the time. His policies favored fossil fuel production, particularly natural gas and oil, though coal production continued to decline throughout his term.
Social and Health Policies
Health Care and the Opioid Epidemic
Trump’s administration made repeated attempts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, though a full repeal was never achieved. His tenure saw reduced funding for several public health initiatives, including those addressing the opioid crisis and LGBTQ protections. While the government launched limited efforts to combat opioid abuse, overdose deaths hit record levels by 2019, reflecting the depth of the crisis.
Immigration Policy
Travel Ban and Family Separation
Trump’s approach to immigration was among the most hardline in modern U.S. history. His administration introduced a travel ban targeting citizens from several predominantly Muslim countries—a policy that faced multiple legal challenges before being upheld by the Supreme Court. His “zero tolerance” policy at the southern border led to thousands of migrant family separations, sparking international condemnation and domestic outrage.
Race Relations and Controversies
White Nationalism and Divisive Rhetoric
Trump’s remarks on race frequently drew criticism. His response to the 2017 Charlottesville rally, when he claimed there were “very fine people on both sides,” was condemned for appearing to equate white nationalists with anti-racist demonstrators. He also reportedly referred to some African and Caribbean nations as “shithole countries,” a statement that was widely denounced as racist. Such incidents deepened racial and political divisions across the U.S.
Pardons and Clemency
Controversial Decisions
While Trump issued fewer pardons than most modern presidents, many of his decisions were controversial due to their personal or political nature. He granted clemency to several allies and associates, including military figures accused of war crimes and political operatives who had supported him.
Mexico–U.S. Border Wall and Government Shutdown
Wall Construction and Funding Battle
A central promise of Trump’s 2016 campaign was the construction of a wall along the U.S.–Mexico border, which he claimed Mexico would pay for. By the time he left office, only 40 miles (64 km) of new barriers had been built in areas that previously lacked fencing, with 365 miles (587 km) of existing structures replaced or reinforced.
Government Shutdown (2018–2019)
Trump’s demand for $5.6 billion in border wall funding led to the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, lasting 35 days. Roughly 800,000 federal employees were furloughed, and the economy lost an estimated $3 billion in output. The standoff ended without the requested wall funding and temporarily damaged Trump’s approval ratings.
Foreign Policy
“America First” Approach
Trump’s foreign policy was defined by his nationalist “America First” doctrine, emphasizing trade protectionism and reduced international commitments. His confrontational style strained relations with U.S. allies in Europe and NATO, while fostering closer ties with authoritarian leaders.
Trade and Tariffs
Trump withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and imposed tariffs on steel, aluminum, and Chinese imports, sparking a trade war with China. Despite his claims, economists confirmed that the tariffs were paid by American companies, not China. The trade war widened the U.S. trade deficit, though Trump later signed the USMCA, replacing NAFTA in 2020.
Russia and China Relations
Trump’s relationship with Vladimir Putin drew bipartisan criticism, particularly after he appeared to accept Putin’s denial of election interference at the 2018 Helsinki Summit. He later withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, citing Russian noncompliance.
With China, Trump’s stance evolved from initial praise to sharp criticism, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, as he blamed Beijing for the virus’s spread.
Middle East Policy
Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, acknowledged Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and brokered normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab nations. However, his withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and support for Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen drew international condemnation.
Personnel and Judiciary
High Staff Turnover
Trump’s administration experienced unprecedented staff turnover, with 34% of senior officials leaving in his first year alone. He cycled through four chiefs of staff and replaced numerous cabinet members.
Judicial Appointments
Trump reshaped the federal judiciary by appointing 226 federal judges, including three Supreme Court Justices — Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett — creating a strong conservative majority that later helped overturn Roe v. Wade.
COVID-19 Pandemic Response
Trump initially downplayed the severity of COVID-19, claiming it was “under control.” As cases surged, he declared a national emergency in March 2020 and approved the CARES Act, a $2.2 trillion stimulus package. However, inconsistent messaging, disputes with health experts, and a lack of coordinated response led to widespread criticism of his leadership during the crisis.
2020 Election and Aftermath
Election Campaign and Results
Trump launched his re-election campaign early, focusing on themes of law and order, nationalism, and economic revival. He repeatedly cast doubt on mail-in voting, claiming it was prone to fraud. Despite these claims, Joe Biden won the election with 306 Electoral College votes to Trump’s 232.
Refusal to Concede and Capitol Attack
Trump refused to accept defeat, spreading unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud. His rhetoric culminated in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, when his supporters stormed Congress during the certification of Biden’s victory. The event led to his second impeachment, making him the only U.S. president impeached twice.
Post-Presidency (2021–2025)
Political Influence
After leaving office, Trump settled at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, where he remained politically active and continued to dominate Republican politics. His persistent “Big Lie” about election fraud shaped GOP legislation in several states, tightening voting laws. Trump endorsed hundreds of candidates aligned with his views during the 2022 midterms.
Legal Troubles
Trump faced numerous investigations, including charges for retaining classified documents, attempting to overturn the 2020 election, and falsifying business records. In 2023, he became the first former U.S. president convicted of a felony, though he was later given an unconditional discharge in 2025. He was also found liable for fraud and sexual abuse in civil cases.
2024 Presidential Campaign
Despite ongoing legal challenges, Trump announced his 2024 presidential run in November 2022. His campaign centered on themes of retribution and nationalism, while critics described his rhetoric as increasingly authoritarian. He won the Republican nomination and the 2024 election, marking one of the most dramatic political comebacks in American history.
Conspiracy Theories
Throughout his career, Donald Trump has promoted a variety of conspiracy theories, including the "birther" movement regarding Barack Obama's birthplace, the "Clinton body count" theory, QAnon, and claims about election fraud. He also made allegations about various international and domestic issues, including the wiretapping of Trump Tower and misstatements about Osama bin Laden's death. These conspiracy theories were often clarified by Trump as beliefs he held, further deepening the division and misinformation during his presidency.
Truthfulness
Trump's tenure as president was marked by numerous false or misleading statements, which fact-checkers from outlets like The Washington Post and CNN documented extensively. His falsehoods ranged from minor exaggerations to major claims that had significant public impacts, such as promoting unproven treatments for COVID-19 or spreading misinformation about the 2020 election. Trump's refusal to apologize for these inaccuracies and the lack of media accountability at times made his falsehoods a defining aspect of his public persona.
Social Media
Trump's relationship with social media was a defining feature of his political career. His prolific use of Twitter allowed him to communicate directly with the public, bypassing traditional media channels. However, after being banned from several platforms in 2021 following the Capitol riot, Trump launched his own platform, Truth Social. In 2022, after Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter, Trump's account was reinstated, although he continued to use his own platform more frequently. Trump's social media activity often involved spreading misinformation and undermining trust in established news sources.
Relationship with the Press
Trump's contentious relationship with the media was a hallmark of his presidency. He regularly accused the press of bias and labeled news outlets as "fake news." The White House reduced formal press briefings during his tenure and used legal threats to silence critical coverage. Trump also pushed back against media outlets that criticized him, filing multiple defamation lawsuits, including against ABC News over coverage of the E. Jean Carroll case.
Public Image
Trump's public image has been polarizing, with international approval ratings and domestic surveys showing significant partisan divides. While his approval was strong among Republicans, he faced consistently low ratings from Democrats, contributing to a historically wide partisan gap. He finished his presidency with some of the lowest approval ratings in modern U.S. history. Despite this, he remained a prominent figure in American politics, often admired by his supporters and frequently in the media spotlight.
Scholarly Assessments
Historians and political scientists have given Trump mixed assessments. In surveys such as the C-SPAN "Presidential Historians Survey," Trump ranked among the worst U.S. presidents, particularly for moral authority and administrative skills. He was also placed near the bottom in other major surveys, including the Siena College Research Institute's rankings and among members of the American Political Science Association. His presidency was viewed as divisive, with many regarding his leadership as detrimental to the nation's political stability.
References
- Donald J. Trump Official Biography: The Trump Organization (no date) Official Biography | The Trump Organization. Available at: https://www.trump.com/leadership/donald-j-trump-biography (Accessed: 14 January 2025).
- Donald Trump (2025) Encyclopædia Britannica. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Donald-Trump (Accessed: 14 January 2025).
- Donald Trump (no date) Forbes. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/profile/donald-trump/ (Accessed: 14 January 2025).
- Donald Trump photograph - historical artwork from 2016 - US president portrait - (4" x 6") - gloss (no date) Amazon.in: Home & Kitchen. Available at: https://www.amazon.in/Donald-Trump-Photograph-Historical-President/dp/B07NKWWJCD (Accessed: 14 January 2025).
- Donald Trump: A quick guide to the US president-elect (2024) BBC News. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g4dzpg468o (Accessed: 14 January 2025).
