Fred Trump

Fred Trump was a renowned American businessman and real estate developer, best known as the father of Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States. Born in New York City, New York, he was the son of Frederick Trump and Elizabeth Christ Trump, who had immigrated to the United States from Germany. Fred Trump's life was marked by his successful business ventures, including the development of Trump Tower and other notable properties in New York City, in collaboration with architects like Der Scutt and engineers from Starrett Brothers & Eken. His business dealings often involved interactions with prominent figures, including Roy Cohn, Nelson Rockefeller, and Robert Moses.

● Early life and education

Fred Trump was born on October 11, 1905, in New York City, New York, to Frederick Trump and Elizabeth Christ Trump. He grew up in a family of modest means, with his father working as a German American immigrant who had built a successful career as a restaurant owner and real estate investor, inspired by the likes of Andrew Carnegie and John Jacob Astor. Fred Trump attended Richmond Hill High School in Queens, New York, where he developed an interest in construction and architecture, influenced by the works of Frank Lloyd Wright and Le Corbusier. After completing his secondary education, he went on to study at New York University and later at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was exposed to the ideas of Benjamin Franklin and Alexander Hamilton.

● Business career

Fred Trump's business career began in the 1920s, when he started working in the real estate industry, learning from experienced developers like William Levitt and Samuel LeFrak. He quickly made a name for himself as a shrewd and successful businessman, with a keen eye for opportunity and a talent for negotiation, often dealing with prominent figures like J. Paul Getty and Aristotle Onassis. In the 1930s, he founded the Elizabeth Trump & Son company, which would become the foundation of the Trump Organization, with the help of Bank of America and Chase National Bank. Over the years, Fred Trump developed numerous properties in New York City, including apartment buildings, office buildings, and hotels, such as the Grand Hyatt New York and the Plaza Hotel, in partnership with Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Hilton Worldwide. He also worked with notable architects, including Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and Kohn Pedersen Fox, to design and build iconic structures like the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building.

● Personal life

Fred Trump married Mary Anne MacLeod in 1936, and the couple had five children together, including Maryanne Trump Barry, Fred Trump Jr., Elizabeth Trump Grau, Donald Trump, and Robert Trump. The family lived in Jamaica, Queens, where Fred Trump was an active member of the Jamaica Estates Association and the Queens Chamber of Commerce, interacting with local leaders like Fiorello La Guardia and John Lindsay. He was also a supporter of various charitable organizations, including the Salvation Army and the Boy Scouts of America, and was involved with the New York City Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Fred Trump's personal life was marked by his strong work ethic and his commitment to his family, as well as his relationships with notable figures like Frank Sinatra and Milton Friedman.

● Controversies and legacy

Fred Trump's business career was not without controversy, as he faced accusations of discrimination and racism in his real estate dealings, with critics like Ralph Nader and Jesse Jackson speaking out against his practices. In the 1970s, he was sued by the United States Department of Justice for allegedly violating the Fair Housing Act, with the case involving the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Despite these challenges, Fred Trump remained a prominent figure in New York City's business community, with a legacy that continues to be felt today, through his connections to Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). His son, Donald Trump, would go on to become a successful businessman and politician, serving as the 45th President of the United States, with advisors like Steve Bannon and Kellyanne Conway.

● Philanthropy

Fred Trump was a supporter of various charitable organizations throughout his life, including the Salvation Army, the Boy Scouts of America, and the New York City Police Foundation, with donations to Columbia University and the New York University School of Medicine. He also made significant contributions to the Jewish National Fund and the United Service Organizations (USO), in recognition of the work of Albert Einstein and Bob Hope. In addition, Fred Trump supported various community organizations in Queens, New York, including the Queens Chamber of Commerce and the Jamaica Estates Association, working with local leaders like Mario Cuomo and Ed Koch. Through his philanthropic efforts, Fred Trump aimed to make a positive impact on his community and to support causes that were important to him, including the work of Catholic Charities USA and the American Red Cross.