Donald Trump is a prominent American businessman, television personality, and politician who served as the 45th President of the United States from January 20, 2017, to January 20, 2021. He was the first U.S. president to have no prior military or government service before taking office. Here's a broad overview of his life and career:
Early Life and Business Career
- Born: June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York City.
- Trump was raised in a wealthy family and attended the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, graduating with a degree in economics in 1968.
- Business Career: He initially joined his father, Fred Trump's real estate business, which he later rebranded as the Trump Organization. Over the years, Trump expanded his family's real estate empire into hotels, casinos, skyscrapers, and golf courses.
- Celebrity Status: Trump became a national figure through his real estate ventures, but his profile was further elevated in the 2000s when he hosted the reality TV show "The Apprentice," which ran from 2004 to 2015.
Political Career
- Trump had flirted with running for political office for many years before officially launching his presidential campaign in 2015 as a Republican candidate.
- His campaign was characterized by his populist rhetoric, focusing on "America First" policies, immigration reform (notably building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border), trade protectionism, and deregulation.
- Election of 2016: Trump ran against Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. His campaign defied expectations, and despite losing the popular vote, he won the Electoral College, making him the 45th President of the United States.
Presidency (2017-2021)
- Trump's presidency was highly polarizing, marked by unconventional leadership, frequent use of social media (especially Twitter), and a mix of significant policy changes and controversies. Key highlights include:
- Tax Cuts: He signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which lowered corporate tax rates and individual taxes for many.
- Deregulation: His administration rolled back numerous environmental and business regulations.
- Immigration: He implemented stricter immigration policies, including travel bans on several predominantly Muslim countries and pushing for the construction of a wall on the southern U.S. border.
- Foreign Policy: He shifted U.S. foreign policy towards nationalism and bilateralism, pulling out of several international agreements, such as the Paris Climate Agreement and the Iran nuclear deal. He also negotiated with North Korea's Kim Jong-un in a historic, but largely symbolic, series of summits.
- Impeachments: Trump was impeached twice by the U.S. House of Representatives. The first impeachment in 2019 was related to his dealings with Ukraine, and the second impeachment in 2021 followed the January 6 Capitol insurrection. He was acquitted by the Senate both times.
- COVID-19 Pandemic: The latter part of his presidency was dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump's handling of the pandemic, particularly his mixed messaging on mask-wearing and the severity of the virus, drew heavy criticism.
Post-Presidency and Legal Troubles
- After losing the 2020 election to Democrat Joe Biden, Trump refused to concede and made numerous claims of widespread voter fraud, though these claims were dismissed in courts. His actions leading up to and following the January 6 Capitol riot, where his supporters stormed the Capitol building, have been subjects of intense scrutiny.
- Trump has faced numerous legal challenges post-presidency, including investigations into his business dealings and handling of classified documents after leaving office.
2024 Presidential Bid
- Trump announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election, aiming to become only the second president in U.S. history to serve two non-consecutive terms (after Grover Cleveland).
Throughout his political career, Trump has remained a highly polarizing figure, beloved by his supporters for challenging the political establishment and derided by critics for his controversial policies, rhetoric, and handling of sensitive issues.
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