Trump

Trump
Daniel Torok · Public domain · source
Name	Donald John Trump
Birth date	June 14, 1946
Birth place	Queens, New York City, New York City
Occupation	Businessman, television personality, politician
Years active	1971–present
Spouse	Ivana Zelníčková (m. 1977; div. 1992), Marla Maples (m. 1993; div. 1999), Melania Knauss (m. 2005)
Children	Donald Jr., Ivanka, Eric, Tiffany, Barron

Trump is an American real estate developer, media figure, and politician who served as the 45th President of the United States. He became prominent through high-profile real estate projects in Manhattan, national television exposure on The Apprentice, and a populist 2016 presidential campaign that prevailed in the 2016 United States presidential election. His tenure reshaped debates in Republican Party politics, international relations with China, Russia, and North Korea, and discussions of presidential norms.

Early life and education

Born in Queens, New York City in 1946 to Fred Trump and Mary Anne MacLeod Trump, he grew up in the Jamaica, Queens area and attended New York Military Academy. He is the son of real estate developer Fred Trump and emigrant Mary Anne from Scotland, and he studied at Fordham University before transferring to the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in economics.

Business career

He took control of his family's company, renamed The Trump Organization, and expanded projects across Manhattan, Atlantic City, New Jersey, and international markets. High-profile developments included the Trump Tower, the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago, and casino ventures such as properties in Atlantic City. His business activities encompassed real estate development, property management, licensing deals, branded merchandise, and golf resorts in locations including Scotland and Ireland. He pursued diversification into branding and licensing through agreements with Vornado Realty Trust partners and negotiated hotel management deals in cooperation with entities in Palm Beach and Las Vegas. He faced bankruptcies related to casino holdings and contested valuations used in financing and tax filings.

Media and public profile

He gained wider national recognition through The Apprentice and co-hosted specials and endorsements across cable networks like Fox News and appearances on The Tonight Show. His public persona was amplified by prolific use of social media platforms including Twitter and frequent coverage by outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal. He authored books including The Art of the Deal and participated in celebrity events with figures from Hollywood, NASCAR, and professional sports leagues such as the National Football League and Major League Baseball. His name became a commercial brand attached to hotels, residential towers, and consumer products.

Political career

He flirted with political activity over decades, engaging with administrations like Ronald Reagan, endorsing causes tied to conservatives, and considering presidential bids in earlier cycles. He launched a formal campaign in 2015, secured the Republican nomination in 2016, and defeated Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in the 2016 United States presidential election, winning electoral votes while losing the popular vote. He ran for re-election in 2020 against Joe Biden and contested the results following the 2020 United States presidential election, while mounting another campaign in 2024 and remaining a dominant figure in Republican National Committee politics.

Policies and presidency

His administration pursued an agenda including tax reform through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, deregulatory actions via agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency, and a reshaping of trade policy involving tariffs against China and renegotiation of deals such as the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement. On immigration he advocated construction of a border barrier along the United States–Mexico border and implemented travel restrictions affecting several countries. In foreign affairs, his administration engaged in summit diplomacy with leaders of North Korea, withdrew the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations and the Paris Agreement, and moved the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. He appointed federal judges, including three justices to the Supreme Court of the United States, shifting judicial composition. His tenure featured debates over responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, economic stimulus measures, and executive actions related to national security.

Legal issues and investigations

He has been the subject of numerous civil and criminal investigations, including inquiries by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, the New York Attorney General's office, and federal probes by the United States Department of Justice. Investigations have examined business practices, tax and financial records, and conduct tied to campaign activities investigated by the Special Counsel offices. Post-presidency matters have included litigation over financial statements, defamation suits involving media figures and organizations like The New York Times, and state and federal indictments brought in multiple jurisdictions. Proceedings have involved appeals and rulings from courts including the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and filings before the Supreme Court of the United States.

Personal life and family

He has been married three times: to Ivana Trump (née Zelníčková), Marla Maples, and Melania Trump (née Knauss). He is the father of children including Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump, Tiffany Trump, and Barron Trump, several of whom have been active in business and politics, with Ivanka serving as an adviser in the White House and engaging with forums like the World Economic Forum. He maintains residences and private clubs in locations such as Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida and properties in New York City and Bedminster, New Jersey. He has been honored and criticized by various political figures, commentators, and international leaders including Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Benjamin Netanyahu, and domestic figures across the Republican and Democratic coalitions.

Category:Presidents of the United States Category:American businesspeople