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 (2017–2021). A polarizing figure in American politics, Trump is the first U.S. president to be impeached twice and the first former president to be criminally indicted.

Early Life and Education

Born in Queens, New York City, Trump attended the private Kew-Forest School and later New York Military Academy. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School in 1968. During the Vietnam War, he obtained four student draft deferments and a medical deferment.

Business Career

Real Estate Development

Trump joined his father's real estate company, Trump Management, in 1968, becoming president in 1971. He renamed it the Trump Organization and expanded operations into building and renovating skyscrapers, hotels, casinos, and golf courses. Notable projects included:

• The Grand Hyatt Hotel (1980)
• Trump Tower (1983)
• Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino (1984)
• Trump Castle (1985)
• Trump Taj Mahal (1990)

Financial History

Trump's business career has been marked by both successes and significant setbacks. Between 1991 and 2009, six of his businesses filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. His financial history includes:

• Inclusion on the initial Forbes list of wealthy individuals in 1982
• Multiple business bankruptcies in the 1990s
• Estimated net worth of $2.3 billion (Forbes, 2024)
• Significant tax losses reported between 1985 and 1994, totaling $1.17 billion

Media Career

Television

Trump gained increased public prominence through television, particularly as host of NBC's "The Apprentice" (2004–2015) and "The Celebrity Apprentice." These shows earned him more than $400 million through licensing agreements and salary.

Publications

Trump has been credited as author on 19 books, though most were written with ghostwriters. His first book, "The Art of the Deal" (1987), became a bestseller and established his public image as a successful businessman.

Political Career

Early Political Activities

Trump's political affiliations have shifted over time. He has been registered as:

• Republican (1987–1999)
• Independence Party member (1999–2001)
• Democrat (2001–2009)
• Republican (2009–2011)
• Independent (2011–2012)
• Republican (2012–present)

Election

Trump won the 2016 presidential election as the Republican nominee, defeating Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. Despite losing the popular vote by approximately 2.9 million votes, he secured victory through the Electoral College with 304 votes to Clinton's 227.

Major Policies and Actions

As president, Trump implemented significant policy changes:

• Imposed travel restrictions on several Muslim-majority countries
• Initiated construction of a border wall with Mexico
• Enacted tax cuts through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
• Appointed three Supreme Court justices
• Withdrew from several international agreements, including the Paris Climate Accord
• Led the initial federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Legal Challenges

Trump was impeached twice:

1. In 2019 for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress
2. In 2021 for incitement of insurrection following the January 6 Capitol attack

Both impeachments resulted in Senate acquittals.

Post-Presidency

After leaving office, Trump has maintained significant influence within the Republican Party and secured the party's 2024 presidential nomination. He faces multiple legal challenges, including:

• Conviction on 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records (2024)
• Criminal indictments in three other jurisdictions
• Civil findings of liability for sexual abuse, defamation, and financial fraud

Personal Life

Marriages and Family

Trump has been married three times:

1. Ivana Zelníčková (1977–1992); children: Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric
2. Marla Maples (1993–1999); child: Tiffany
3. Melania Knauss (2005–present); child: Barron

Health and Lifestyle

Trump abstains from alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs. He typically sleeps four to five hours per night and considers golf his primary form of exercise.

Legacy

Historians and scholars generally rank Trump among the least successful presidents in American history. His presidency was marked by unprecedented challenges to democratic norms, promotion of conspiracy theories, and polarization of American society. His political style and rhetoric have been characterized as populist, nationalist, and authoritarian by various scholars and historians.