The autobiography of Donald trump.

Donald Trump

Donald Trump, born on June 14, 1946, is a prominent American businessman, television personality, and politician. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania in 1968. In 1971, he took over his family’s real estate business, renaming it the Trump Organization and shifting its focus toward luxury properties and hospitality. During the 1990s, after facing financial difficulties, including several bankruptcies, he diversified his ventures by licensing his name to various products and developments. From 2004 to 2015, Trump was both the producer and host of the popular reality TV show The Apprentice.

2016 Presidential Election and Policy Highlights

In 2016, Trump entered the political arena, securing the presidency as the Republican nominee. His administration introduced several controversial policies, including a travel ban aimed at certain Muslim-majority countries and a family separation policy at the U.S.–Mexico border. Additionally, his presidency was marked by significant environmental rollbacks, the construction of portions of a U.S.–Mexico border wall, and the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017.

Trump’s foreign policy initiatives included a trade war with China, meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (without achieving denuclearization progress), and the U.S.’s withdrawal from key international agreements. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his response faced criticism for downplaying the crisis and contradicting public health experts.

Impeachments and Controversies

Trump was impeached twice during his presidency. The first, in 2019, was for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress related to his dealings with Ukraine. The second, in 2021, followed accusations of inciting the Capitol riot on January 6. In both cases, he was acquitted by the Senate.

His tenure also sparked widespread protests and controversy, with critics labeling many of his statements and actions as racially insensitive or misogynistic. His rhetoric fueled the rise of "Trumpism," a political movement shaped by his policies and populist appeal.

2020 Election and Post-Presidency

Trump lost his re-election bid in 2020 to Joe Biden but refused to concede, citing unproven claims of widespread voter fraud. His efforts to overturn the election results culminated in the January 6 Capitol attack, an event that remains a dark chapter in U.S. history.

In 2024, Trump became the first former U.S. president convicted of a felony, relating to falsified business records. Additional charges concerning his handling of classified documents and interference in the 2020 election were dismissed later that year.

Legacy and Historical Assessment

Historians and political scholars often rank Trump among the most controversial presidents in American history. His presidency, characterized by bold decisions, polarizing policies, and extensive legal battles, has left an enduring impact on the U.S. political landscape. Despite the controversies, Trump continues to be a central figure in American politics and a focal point of intense public debate.

Donald Trump's Early Life and Educational Journey

Donald Trump, born on June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York City, is the fourth of five children in the family of Fred Trump, a well-known real estate developer, and Mary Anne MacLeod Trump, an immigrant from Scotland. Growing up in the affluent Jamaica Estates neighborhood, Trump shared his childhood with his older siblings Maryanne, Fred Jr., and Elizabeth, as well as his younger brother, Robert. His family heritage combines German and Scottish roots.

Early Schooling and Discipline

Trump began his education at the private Kew-Forest School in Queens. However, his active and challenging behavior led his father to seek a more disciplined environment. He was sent to the New York Military Academy, a boarding school known for its structured regimen, where Trump excelled and demonstrated leadership qualities.

College Life and Avoidance of Military Service

In 1964, Trump enrolled at Fordham University. After two years, he transferred to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated in May 1968 with a Bachelor of Science in economics. During the Vietnam War, Trump avoided military service, citing a medical exemption for bone spurs in his heels.

Controversy Over Academic Records

In 2015, Trump stirred controversy by threatening legal action against his high school, universities, and the College Board if they released his academic records. This move sparked public debate but ensured his records remained private.

Trump’s formative years, marked by discipline, education, and early leadership experiences, laid the groundwork for his future success in business, real estate, and eventually, politics.

Donald Trump: Personal Life, Health, and Controversies

Personal Life

Donald Trump, a former U.S. president, has been married three times. In 1977, he wed Czech model Ivana Zelníčková. Together, they had three children: Donald Jr. (born 1977), Ivanka (born 1981), and Eric (born 1984). The couple divorced in 1990 following Trump’s affair with actress Marla Maples. Trump married Maples in 1993, and they welcomed a daughter, Tiffany (born 1993). However, their marriage ended in 1999, with Maples primarily raising Tiffany in California.

In 2005, Trump tied the knot with Slovenian model Melania Knauss. They share one child, Barron, who was born in 2006.

Health and Lifestyle

Donald Trump has often claimed he avoids alcohol, smoking, and drug use. He reportedly sleeps only four to five hours per night and has described golf as his primary form of exercise, although he usually rides in a golf cart rather than walking the course. Trump has expressed skepticism about exercise, likening the human body to a battery that depletes energy when overexerted.

In 2015, Trump’s physician Harold Bornstein released a letter stating Trump would be “the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency.” However, Bornstein later alleged that Trump dictated the letter and that his medical records were seized by Trump’s associates in 2017.

Controversies and Public Views

Allegations of Racism:

Trump’s comments and actions have frequently been labeled as racist. Polls indicate that about half of Americans believe he is racist, and studies suggest that racial biases played a significant role in his political rise. Critics have pointed to his role in the 1989 Central Park jogger case, where he insisted on the guilt of Black and Latino teens despite their exoneration in 2002. In 2024, these men filed a defamation lawsuit against Trump after he falsely claimed they had committed the crime.

Trump also championed the debunked “birther” conspiracy theory, alleging that Barack Obama, the first Black U.S. president, was not born in the United States. While he publicly acknowledged Obama’s U.S. birth in 2016, reports suggest he continued to express these views privately.

Treatment of Women:

Trump has faced significant criticism for derogatory remarks about women, both in the media and on social platforms. At least 25 women have accused him of sexual misconduct, including groping, kissing without consent, and inappropriate behavior at beauty pageants. Trump has denied these allegations.

In 2016, a leaked 2005 recording revealed Trump making lewd comments about women, including a claim that “when you're a star, they let you do anything.” The tape sparked widespread backlash and led Trump to issue a public apology during his presidential campaign.

Donald Trump's Early Career and Business Ventures

Donald Trump began his business journey in 1968 when he joined his father's real estate company, Trump Management, which owned racially segregated rental properties in New York City's outer boroughs. By 1971, Trump became president of the company, and the Trump Organization was born as an umbrella brand for all his ventures.

In 1975, he resolved a civil rights lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice, which accused the company of discriminating against Black renters, by agreeing to desegregate the properties. Over the years, Trump expanded his business empire with several high-profile real estate developments.

Major Real Estate Developments

In 1978, Trump entered the Manhattan real estate market with the renovation of the dilapidated Commodore Hotel. His father arranged a $400 million tax abatement, and Hyatt helped finance the project. The hotel reopened in 1980 as the Grand Hyatt. That same year, Trump started developing the iconic Trump Tower in Midtown Manhattan, which became his primary residence until 2019.

Trump's acquisition of the Plaza Hotel in 1988, financed by loans from sixteen banks, was a landmark event. Unfortunately, the hotel filed for bankruptcy protection in 1992. In 1995, Trump defaulted on $3 billion in loans, leading to a massive restructuring deal that allowed him to avoid personal bankruptcy.

Struggles and Bankruptcy Filings

Trump's business ventures encountered significant financial difficulties during the 1990s. In 1991, he filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for his Atlantic City casinos, including the Trump Taj Mahal, which had been financed with junk bonds. In total, Trump filed for bankruptcy protection for six of his businesses between 1991 and 2009.

Despite the setbacks, Trump’s portfolio grew with the acquisition and renovation of properties like 40 Wall Street and the development of Riverside South. However, his hotel and casino empire remained burdened with debt.

Trump's Foray into Clubs and Golf Courses

In 1985, Trump purchased the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, and converted it into a private club in 1995, later declaring it his primary residence in 2019. The Trump Organization expanded its reach into the luxury golf market in 1999, acquiring and managing 14 golf courses globally.

Licensing and Other Ventures

Trump’s name became a global brand, with numerous licensing agreements across various industries. From clothing and home furnishings to food products, his name was licensed to companies worldwide. However, by 2018, only two consumer goods companies continued using the Trump name, generating substantial revenue for the business.

Financial Challenges and Wealth Decline

In 1982, Trump first appeared on the Forbes list of the wealthiest Americans, claiming a share of his family's $200 million fortune. However, due to heavy financial losses, he dropped off the list in the early 1990s. By 2015, Trump claimed a net worth of around $10 billion, but his fortune fluctuated over the years, and by 2024, his net worth was estimated at $2.3 billion.

Trump's tax returns revealed significant losses, including a reported $1.17 billion loss from 1985 to 1994, the largest reported loss by any individual taxpayer. In the years following, Trump faced intense scrutiny over his finances, including investigations into potential tax fraud and financial mismanagement.

Debt and Tax Issues

As of 2021, Trump was reported to owe more than $1.3 billion in debts, primarily secured by his real estate assets. Notably, he owed millions to major banks such as Deutsche Bank and the Bank of China. Despite these financial challenges, his assets, including the Trump Tower mortgage and stock liquidations, continued to exceed his liabilities.

Trump’s tax history, including his use of business losses to reduce his taxable income, gained attention when it was revealed he paid minimal federal income taxes during certain years. His debt restructuring, including borrowing against assets and liquidating stocks, was part of his ongoing strategy to manage his finances.

Media career 

Donald Trump has authored 19 books, many of which were either written or co-written by ghostwriters. His debut book, The Art of the Deal (1987), became a New York Times Best Seller. Though Trump was listed as the co-author, Tony Schwartz was the primary writer. The book contributed significantly to Trump's rise as a symbol of success in business.

Trump also gained fame through various cameos in films and TV shows between 1985 and 2001, with his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame commemorating his contributions to entertainment. From the 1990s, he made regular appearances on the Howard Stern Show, guesting 24 times. Additionally, he hosted his own radio show, Trumped!, from 2004 to 2008 and was a frequent guest on Fox & Friends from 2011 to 2015.

In the realm of reality television, Trump co-produced and hosted The Apprentice and The Celebrity Apprentice from 2004 to 2015. On these shows, he portrayed a wealthy, successful CEO who eliminated contestants with his iconic catchphrase, "You're fired." The shows enhanced his public image, with the related licensing agreements earning him over $400 million. Critics noted that the portrayal on screen was a highly stylized, fictionalized version of Trump.

In 2021, Trump, a member of the Screen Actors Guild since 1989, resigned from the union to avoid a disciplinary hearing following the January 6 attack. The following day, the union permanently banned him from membership.

Early political aspirations (1987–2014)

Donald Trump has had a dynamic political affiliation history. He registered as a Republican in 1987, joined the Independence Party (the New York state affiliate of the Reform Party) in 1999, became a Democrat in 2001, switched back to the Republican Party in 2009, became unaffiliated in 2011, and finally rejoined the Republican Party in 2012.

Trump first made waves in politics in 1987 when he took out full-page advertisements in major newspapers, sharing his views on foreign policy and strategies to reduce the federal budget deficit. In 1988, he even approached political strategist Lee Atwater, expressing interest in being considered as a running mate for Republican nominee George H. W. Bush. However, Bush found the request unusual and unlikely. In 2000, Trump entered the Reform Party presidential primaries but withdrew after only three months, in February of that year.

Trump's presidential ambitions resurfaced in 2011 when he considered running against President Barack Obama in the 2012 election. He made his first appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in February and delivered speeches in key primary states. However, in May 2011, he announced that he would not pursue the presidency. At the time, his presidential run was not taken seriously by many.

2016 presidential election

During his 2016 presidential campaign, Donald Trump faced criticism for his controversial remarks about immigration and race, including his statement that Mexican immigrants were "bringing drugs, they're bringing crime, they're rapists." This led to NBC firing him from The Celebrity Apprentice. Trump also sparked debates over his stance on birthright citizenship, claiming it incentivized "anchor babies." According to an analysis in Political Science Quarterly, his campaign made "explicitly racist appeals to whites."

Trump's financial disclosures indicated assets exceeding $1.4 billion and liabilities of at least $315 million. He did not release his tax returns, despite promising to do so in 2014 and 2015. Trump claimed his taxes were under audit, and his lawyers advised against releasing them. After a protracted legal battle, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in February 2021 that his tax records could be handed over to the Manhattan district attorney for investigation.

In October 2016, The New York Times published leaked portions of Trump's 1995 tax filings, revealing a $916 million loss, which could have allowed him to avoid paying taxes for up to 18 years.

In the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Trump won 306 electoral votes compared to Hillary Clinton's 232. However, after some electors defected, the official count ended at 304 to 227. Trump became the fifth president in U.S. history to be elected without winning the popular vote, as he trailed Clinton by nearly 2.9 million votes. He won crucial states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, traditionally Democratic strongholds, helping him secure victory. His win also led to a unified Republican government, with the GOP controlling both the presidency and Congress.

Trump's victory sparked protests in major cities across the U.S., including the Women's March on January 21, 2017, where an estimated 2.6 million people worldwide, including half a million in Washington, D.C., demonstrated against his presidency.

In December 2016, Time magazine named Trump its Person of the Year.