Donald Trump (politician)
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| Donald Trump (politician) | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Daniel Torok · Public domain · source | |
| Name | Donald Trump |
| Birth date | June 14, 1946 |
| Birth place | Queens, New York City, New York |
| Occupation | Businessman, Television personality, Politician |
| Party | Republican Party |
| Spouse | Ivana Trump, Marla Maples, Melania Trump |
| Children | Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump, Tiffany Trump, Barron Trump |
| Office | 45th President of the United States |
| Term start | January 20, 2017 |
| Term end | January 20, 2021 |
Donald Trump (politician) is an American businessman and political figure who served as the 45th President of the United States from 2017 to 2021. A former real estate developer and television host, he became a polarizing national figure through high-profile projects in Manhattan, national media exposure on The Apprentice, and a populist political movement culminating in a surprise victory over Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election. Trump's tenure reshaped Republican Party politics, U.S. foreign policy toward China, Russia, and North Korea, and spurred extensive legal and political controversies.
Early life and business career
Born in Queens, New York City, Trump was raised in the Jamaica and Queens neighborhoods and attended the New York Military Academy before enrolling at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He joined his father Fred Trump's real estate business, later forming The Trump Organization and developing projects including Trump Tower, Trump Plaza, and casino properties in Atlantic City. Trump's business portfolio extended to branded properties, golf courses in Scotland, Ireland, and Florida, and licensing deals with media companies such as NBC for The Apprentice, while engaging with lenders such as Deutsche Bank and partners including Mitsubishi Estate and Vornado Realty Trust. His business career involved notable transactions like the purchase and renovation of the Grand Hyatt New York and his role in the development of the Trump Taj Mahal and litigation with entities such as New York State authorities and competitors.
Entry into politics and 2016 presidential campaign
Trump's political profile rose through public statements on immigration and trade, media appearances on Fox News and other networks, and endorsements from figures like Sarah Palin; he formally announced a 2016 presidential bid in a speech at his Trump Tower headquarters. Running as a Republican outsider, his campaign focused on issues involving Mexico, China, and trade agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement; he defeated primary rivals including Jeb Bush, Ted Cruz, and Marco Rubio to secure the nomination at the 2016 Republican National Convention. In the general election he faced Hillary Clinton, debated at venues like Wright State University and Washington University in St. Louis, and secured an Electoral College victory aided by wins in key states such as Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, while losing the Popular vote.
Presidency (2017–2021)
As president, Trump appointed cabinet officials including Rex Tillerson, Jeff Sessions, Betsy DeVos, and Mike Pompeo, and nominated three justices to the Supreme Court of the United States: Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. His administration enacted tax reform through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, pursued deregulation via the Environmental Protection Agency under administrators like Scott Pruitt and Andrew Wheeler, and shifted U.S. foreign policy by withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and the Trans-Pacific Partnership, negotiating the USMCA, and engaging in summits with Kim Jong-un of North Korea. The presidency saw controversies over immigration policies such as family separation at the U.S.–Mexico border, the implementation of travel restrictions affecting countries like Iran and Libya via executive orders, and responses to investigations led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller into Russian contacts during the 2016 campaign. The COVID-19 pandemic presented major challenges in 2020 involving the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and federal coordination with governors such as Andrew Cuomo and Gavin Newsom, while the administration's handling of protests after the death of George Floyd prompted national debate. Trump's administration also prioritized criminal justice reform with the First Step Act and engaged in Middle East diplomacy producing agreements like the Abraham Accords involving United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
Post-presidency, 2024 campaign, and political influence
After leaving office he returned to business and maintained a prominent role in the Republican base, endorsing candidates such as Ron DeSantis opponents and shaping debates at events like the CPAC conferences. He announced a 2024 presidential campaign, competing in primaries against figures including Nikki Haley, Mike Pence, and Ron DeSantis, and remained influential in shaping Republican strategy on issues involving China and Ukraine. Post-presidency activities included rallies, media appearances on networks like Newsmax and Fox Business, and ongoing relations with international leaders such as Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu, while his political action committees and allies in Congress, including members like Kevin McCarthy and Jim Jordan, sought to advance his agenda.
Political positions and policies
Trump's policy positions emphasized immigration restriction, trade protectionism, tax reduction, and a foreign policy described as transactional; he advocated building a border barrier with Mexico, renegotiating trade deals like NAFTA, imposing tariffs on China and European Union goods, and pursuing an "America First" approach in institutions such as NATO. On social issues he supported conservative appointments to the Supreme Court of the United States and opposed regulations from agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency, while promoting energy development from sources including Saudi Arabia partnerships and domestic fossil fuel production. His approach to criminal justice combined support for law enforcement figures such as William Barr with reform measures like the First Step Act, and his healthcare stance favored repealing parts of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Legal issues, investigations, and indictments
Trump's career has been subject to multiple investigations and legal actions involving entities such as the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Federal Election Commission. High-profile matters include the Special Counsel investigation led by Robert Mueller into Russian interference in the 2016 election, the impeachment inquiries resulting in two impeachments by the United States House of Representatives—the first relating to Ukraine and Joe Biden, and the second following the January 6, 2021 attack on the United States Capitol—and criminal indictments at the state and federal level involving charges tied to alleged mishandling of classified documents, election-related conduct in Georgia, and business practices scrutinized by New York Attorney General Letitia James. Ongoing litigation has involved civil suits from figures such as E. Jean Carroll and investigations into financial records subpoenaed from financial institutions including Deutsche Bank.