Who Is Donald Trump

Donald Trump (Donald John Trump; born June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York) is an American businessman, television personality and politician. He served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021, and since January 20, 2025, he has held the office again as the 47th president.

Before entering politics, Donald Trump spent decades building a name in the New York business world. He took over the family real estate company, renamed it the Trump Organization, and put his name on skyscrapers, hotels, casinos and golf courses. The reality show “The Apprentice” later made him even more widely known.

Trump is one of only two men in U.S. history to lead the country in two non-consecutive terms. Only Grover Cleveland did so before him. His personality and policies provoke strong reactions, so his significance is debated fiercely around the world.

Early Life and Childhood

Donald John Trump was born on June 14, 1946, at Jamaica Hospital in the New York City borough of Queens. He was the fourth of five children of Fred Trump and Mary Anne MacLeod Trump. Fred was a successful real estate developer, while Mary Anne was born in Scotland, on the Isle of Lewis.

Donald grew up in the Jamaica Estates neighborhood with his older sisters Maryanne and Elizabeth, his older brother Fred Jr. and his younger brother Robert. His father built housing for middle-class families in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island. As a result, Donald saw how the real estate business worked from an early age.

Fred Trump Jr. died in 1981, and the family later often referred to his fate as an important life lesson. As for faith, Donald attended Sunday school and was confirmed in 1959 at the First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica.

He began his schooling at the private Kew-Forest School in Queens, which he attended from kindergarten through seventh grade. As a boy he was known as energetic and strong-willed, so at age 13 his parents sent him to a boarding school.

Education

At 13, Trump enrolled at the New York Military Academy, a private boarding school. There he stood out in sports and became a leader among the students, and the discipline of that school has remained part of his public story.

After the academy, he enrolled at Fordham University in the Bronx in 1964. He spent two years at the Jesuit university and then transferred to the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, one of the most respected business schools in the world.

He graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science in economics. Trump later often referred to his Wharton education in both his business and his political life.

Start of Career

Right after college, in 1968, Trump joined his father’s company. Until then it had mostly built housing for the middle class in New York’s outer boroughs. In the early 1970s he took over running the company, and it was renamed the Trump Organization. Sources differ on the exact year of the renaming, with 1971, 1973 and 1975 all mentioned.

Under his leadership the company moved from residential construction to commercial projects in Manhattan. The first big step was the renovation of the run-down Commodore Hotel near Grand Central Terminal. On its site a hotel worth about $100 million opened in 1978.

Then came the project he is best known for. Construction of Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue began around 1980, and the building opened in 1983. Trump kept both his offices and his home in that 58-story skyscraper for years.

During the 1980s he expanded into casinos in Atlantic City. Trump Plaza opened on May 14, 1984, Trump’s Castle in 1985, and the Trump Taj Mahal in the early 1990s. In 1987 he published the book “The Art of the Deal,” which became a U.S. bestseller. He was helped by the writer Tony Schwartz.

Rise to Fame

The 1990s were not easy. The casinos in Atlantic City were burdened by debt, so they went through bankruptcy in 1991, 1992, 2004 and 2009. Trump stressed that the bankruptcies concerned his companies rather than his personal assets. His airline, Trump Shuttle, also failed to survive.

The turning point came in January 2004, when the American network NBC began broadcasting the reality program “The Apprentice.” Producer Mark Burnett and Trump put contestants through business challenges, and the winner received a job at the Trump Organization. His catchphrase “You’re fired” became famous across America.

Thanks to the show, Trump went from a locally known developer to a television personality. He used his well-known name for licensing in many fields, from clothing to golf courses. Among ventures that fell short of expectations, the media often cite Trump University, which began in 2004.

The 2016 Campaign and First Term

Trump announced his candidacy for president on June 16, 2015. In the Republican primaries he defeated more than a dozen rivals, even though he had never held elected office. He chose Mike Pence as his running mate.

In the November 2016 election he defeated Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, winning a majority of electoral votes even though she received more votes from voters. He took office on January 20, 2017, as the 45th president of the United States.

His administration signed a major tax reform and appointed three Supreme Court justices: Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. It renegotiated trade agreements with Mexico, Canada, Japan and South Korea and started a trade war with China. It withdrew the U.S. from several international agreements and moved the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. Near the end of the term, it brokered agreements normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab states.

The final years of the term were marked by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program “Operation Warp Speed” helped the private sector develop vaccines, but more than 400,000 people in the U.S. died during that period.

Impeachments and the 2020 Election

On December 18, 2019, the House of Representatives impeached Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress in connection with his pressure on Ukraine. On February 5, 2020, the Senate acquitted him on both charges.

In the November 2020 election he was defeated by Joe Biden. Trump claimed there had been electoral irregularities, which election officials and courts did not confirm. On January 6, 2021, his supporters stormed the Capitol building while Congress was certifying the results.

As a result, the House impeached him a second time on January 13, 2021, on a charge of inciting insurrection. That made him the first U.S. president to be impeached twice. The Senate acquitted him on February 13, 2021, with 57 votes to convict, 10 short of the required two-thirds majority.

Legal Proceedings

After leaving office, Trump faced several legal proceedings. In multiple criminal cases he pleaded not guilty.

The best known is the case in New York, in which prosecutor Alvin Bragg charged Trump with falsifying business records. The indictment concerned a payment to the actress Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 election. On May 30, 2024, a jury found him guilty on all 34 counts.

Judge Juan Merchan delivered the sentence on January 10, 2025, ten days before the inauguration. Trump received an unconditional discharge, meaning no prison, fine or probation, but the conviction remained on the record. The judge stated that it was the only lawful sentence that allowed the judgment to be entered. Trump maintains that he is innocent, that the case was politically motivated and that he will appeal.

The Butler Assassination Attempt and the 2024 Election

Trump entered the race for the White House again. He dominated the primaries, and the campaign was marked by an event on July 13, 2024. At a rally near Butler, Pennsylvania, a few minutes after 6 p.m., a gunman fired a rifle from a nearby rooftop. A bullet grazed Trump’s right ear.

A spectator, Corey Comperatore, was killed in the attack and two others were seriously wounded. The gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, aged 20, was shot dead by Secret Service personnel. Investigators did not establish a clear motive. Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle resigned over the security failures.

He chose J. D. Vance, then a senator from Ohio, as his running mate. In the November 5, 2024 election, Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz. He received 312 electoral votes to her 226. At 78, he became the oldest person elected president and the first convicted felon elected to the office.

Second Term

Congress certified the election results on January 6, 2025. Trump took the oath of office on January 20, 2025, in the Capitol Rotunda because of the cold weather, becoming the 47th president of the United States. He thereby became only the second man after Grover Cleveland to serve two non-consecutive terms.

In the first days in office he signed a large number of executive orders, with immigration, the border and the economy among his priorities. In foreign policy, the relationship with China was key. His first meeting with Xi Jinping in the second term took place on October 30, 2025, at the summit in Busan. From May 13 to 15, 2026, Trump made a state visit to China.

In October 2026, Trump took part in campaigning for Republicans ahead of the congressional elections scheduled for November 3. He visited Ohio, Alaska and other states. Polls suggested Democrats could gain ground, while he claimed Republicans would do better than expected.

Greatest Achievements

In business, Trump’s greatest success is building a brand. Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue, the hotel near Grand Central and later skyscrapers such as the Trump International Hotel & Tower in Chicago earned him a reputation as a builder of ambitious projects. He also survived crises that took down many casino companies in Atlantic City.

In television, “The Apprentice” is his most important success. The show drew large audiences in the U.S. and made his name known beyond business circles.

In politics, it is often cited as an achievement that he won the presidency in 2016 without prior elected office and then returned in 2024. His supporters praise the tax reform, the Supreme Court appointments and the Middle East agreements, while critics point to social divisions and controversial decisions.

Personal Life

Trump has been married three times. He met and married his first wife, the Czech model Ivana Zelníčková, in 1977. They had three children: Donald Trump Jr. (born 1977), Ivanka (1981) and Eric (1984). They divorced in 1990. Ivana Trump died in 2022 in New York.

He entered his second marriage in 1993 with the actress Marla Maples. They have a daughter, Tiffany, born in 1993. They divorced in 1999. In 2005 he married the Slovenian model Melania Knauss, known as Melania Trump. Their son Barron was born in 2006.

In total, Trump has five children and a number of grandchildren. For years he lived in an apartment at the top of Trump Tower, and he often spends weekends at his golf clubs in Bedminster and Palm Beach. The nickname “The Donald” is said to originate from his first marriage.

Interesting Facts

• His mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, was born on the Scottish Isle of Lewis and came to the U.S. as a young woman.
• Trump is the first U.S. president who had held no political or military office before taking the job.
• He is the first president to be impeached twice.
• At 78 he became the oldest elected president, and on June 14, 2026, he turned 80.
• His slogan “Make America Great Again” remains the defining mark of his campaigns.
• His wife Melania Trump is the first first lady of the U.S. born in Slovenia, then part of Yugoslavia.

Awards and Recognition

Time magazine named Donald Trump Person of the Year in 2016 and again in 2024. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2007 for his work in television.

Several politicians have nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize, mostly over agreements in the Middle East. Nominations are not the same as the prize itself, so they should be distinguished from official honors.

Legacy and Influence

Donald Trump changed how political campaigns are run in the U.S. He used social media and television to speak directly to voters, and the party he leads has changed considerably over the past decade.

His legacy remains a matter of debate. Supporters see him as a leader who challenged the political elite, while critics accuse him of dividing society and challenging democratic norms. Historians will only be able to judge his significance over the long term, since his second term is still ongoing.

Biography – Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Donald Trump?

Donald Trump is an American businessman, television personality and politician. He was the 45th president of the U.S. from 2017 to 2021, and since 2025 he has been the 47th president.

When and where was Donald Trump born?

He was born on June 14, 1946, at Jamaica Hospital in Queens, New York.

How old is Donald Trump?

Donald Trump turned 80 on June 14, 2026.

Which number president of the U.S. is Donald Trump?

Trump is the 45th and 47th president. He served as the 45th from 2017 to 2021, and as the 47th since January 20, 2025.

Who is Donald Trump’s wife?

His wife is Melania Trump, who was born in Slovenia. They married in 2005 and have a son, Barron.

How many children does Donald Trump have?

He has five children: Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric from his marriage to Ivana, Tiffany from his marriage to Marla Maples, and Barron from his marriage to Melania.

Where did Donald Trump go to school?

He attended the Kew-Forest School, the New York Military Academy and Fordham University. He graduated in 1968 from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

What did Donald Trump do before politics?

He worked in real estate, ran the Trump Organization and hosted the NBC show “The Apprentice.”

Has Donald Trump been convicted?

A New York jury found him guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records on May 30, 2024. The judge gave him an unconditional discharge on January 10, 2025. Trump says he is innocent.

What is Trump Tower?

It is a 58-story skyscraper on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, which opened in 1983. For a long time it was the headquarters of the Trump Organization and Trump’s home.

Conclusion

Donald Trump went from being the son of a New York builder to one of the most recognizable figures of our time. He built skyscrapers and casinos, hosted a television show and twice won the U.S. presidency. He has survived two impeachments, an assassination attempt, court cases and business crises.

This biography of Donald Trump shows a man whose rises and falls have often gone together. His second term is still under way, so the final assessment of his significance will keep changing. One thing is certain: few people in recent history have shaped American politics so much.