Donald Trump
Who was Donald Trump?
President of the United States (2017–2021; since 2025)
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Donald Trump (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Donald John Trump was born on June 14, 1946, at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in Queens, New York City. He came from a wealthy New York real estate family. His father, Fred Trump, was a successful real estate developer, and Donald grew up in the Jamaica Estates neighborhood of Queens. Donald attended the Kew-Forest School but later transferred to the New York Military Academy, graduating in 1964. He then spent two years at Fordham University before transferring to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in economics.
Before Fame
After graduating from Wharton, Trump joined his father's real estate company, Elizabeth Trump and Son, and quickly started expanding its reach from the outer boroughs of New York City into Manhattan. In 1971, he became president of the firm, renamed it the Trump Organization, and took on big development projects such as renovating the Commodore Hotel and building Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue. These high-profile projects built his reputation as a bold and ambitious developer and made the Trump name known for luxury real estate in New York City during the 1980s. His knack for self-promotion and media skills turned him into a celebrity businessman even before his television career.
Key Achievements
- Served as the 45th and 47th President of the United States, making him one of only two presidents in American history to serve non-consecutive terms.
- Built the Trump Organization into a multinational conglomerate spanning real estate, hospitality, and entertainment with properties across multiple continents.
- Hosted 'The Apprentice' on NBC from 2004 to 2015, one of the most watched reality television programs of its era, which reinforced his public image as a business authority.
- Co-authored 'Trump: The Art of the Deal' in 1987, which became a bestselling business book and remained a defining part of his public persona for decades.
- Signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the most significant overhaul of the United States tax code since the 1980s.
Did You Know?
- 01.Trump received the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor in 1991 for his cameo appearance in the film 'Ghosts Can't Do It.'
- 02.He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013, recognizing his involvement in WrestleMania events at his Atlantic City properties.
- 03.Trump's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, awarded in 2007, has been vandalized on multiple occasions and became a recurring target of protest.
- 04.He filed for corporate bankruptcy six times between 1991 and 2009, primarily involving his Atlantic City casino properties, while personally avoiding personal bankruptcy.
- 05.Trump received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 1986, an award given to Americans who exemplify outstanding qualities in their personal and professional lives while preserving the values of their heritage.
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | 2007 | — |
| Jewish National Fund Tree of Life Award | 1983 | — |
| Ellis Island Medal of Honor | 1986 | — |
| Time Person of the Year | 2016 | — |
| Doublespeak Award | 2016 | — |
| Gaming Hall of Fame | 1995 | — |
| WWE Hall of Fame | 2013 | — |
| King Abdulaziz Medal | 2017 | — |
| Presidential Order of Excellence | 2012 | — |
| Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor - Razzie Award | 1991 | — |
| Doublespeak Award | 2019 | — |
| Ig Nobel Prize | 2020 | — |
| Time 100 | 2021 | — |
| Order of Mohammed | 2021 | — |
| Order of Freedom | 2020 | — |
| Financial Times Person of the Year | 2016 | — |
| Time 100 | 2016 | — |
| Time 100 | 2017 | — |
| Time 100 | 2018 | — |
| Time 100 | 2019 | — |
| Time 100 | 2020 | — |
| Time Person of the Year | 2024 | — |
| Order of Zayed | 2025 | — |
| Order of the Nile | 2025 | — |
| FIFA Peace Prize | 2025 | — |
| Grand Order of Mugunghwa | 2025 | — |
| Presidential Medal of Distinction | — | — |
| Time 100 | 2025 | — |
| Israel Prize | 2026 | — |