Donald Trump

Early Life and Business Career

Donald John Trump was born on June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York, to real estate developer Fred Trump. After graduating from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1968, Trump joined his father’s real estate business, eventually taking control and expanding it into Manhattan. He built his brand around luxury developments, golf courses, and the reality television show “The Apprentice,” which ran from 2004 to 2015.

Presidential Campaign and Victory

Trump announced his candidacy for president in June 2015, running on a platform of “Make America Great Again.” Despite having no prior political experience, he won the Republican nomination and defeated Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election. His victory was considered one of the biggest political upsets in American history, as he won the Electoral College while losing the popular vote by nearly 3 million votes.

Presidential Policies and Initiatives

During his presidency, Trump implemented significant tax cuts through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, appointed three Supreme Court justices, and pursued an “America First” foreign policy. He renegotiated NAFTA into the USMCA, moved the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, and initiated trade wars with China. His administration also focused on immigration restrictions, including attempts at building a border wall with Mexico and implementing travel restrictions from several predominantly Muslim countries.

Controversial Decisions and Impeachments

Trump became the first president to be impeached twice by the House of Representatives. The first impeachment in 2019 centered on allegations that he pressured Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in exchange for military aid. The second impeachment in 2021 followed the January 6 Capitol riot, with charges of “incitement of insurrection.” His presidency was also marked by the family separation policy at the border, his response to the Charlottesville white supremacist rally, and his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which he initially downplayed.

Memorable Moments and Quirks

Trump’s presidency was filled with memorable moments, from his tendency to communicate via Twitter (often at unusual hours) to his famous “covfefe” tweet that became a viral sensation. He once served fast food from McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Burger King to the Clemson football team at the White House due to a government shutdown, calling it “great American food.” His hair became a subject of constant speculation and comedy, and he famously looked directly at a solar eclipse during the 2017 event, despite repeated warnings about eye safety.