Donald Trump
Overview
Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American businessman and politician who served as the 45th President of the United States from 2017 to 2021. A real estate mogul, he gained fame through the reality TV show 'The Apprentice'. He ran for president as the Republican nominee in 2016, defeating Hillary Clinton. His presidency was characterized by 'America First' policies, strict immigration policies, tax cuts and deregulation, and unconventional communication via Twitter. He lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden but ran again in 2024 and won, leaving a unique mark on American political history.
Main Content
Early Life and Business Career
Trump was born in Queens, New York, as the son of real estate developer Fred Trump. After earning a Bachelor's degree in economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, he joined his father's real estate company. From the 1970s, he focused on luxury real estate development in Manhattan, building iconic structures such as Trump Tower and Trump Plaza. He faced multiple bankruptcy crises in the 1990s but successfully rebounded through brand licensing and TV appearances. From 2004 to 2015, he appeared on NBC's 'The Apprentice', becoming a nationally recognized figure.
Political Entry and the 2016 Election
In June 2015, Trump descended an escalator to announce his presidential candidacy with the slogan 'Make America Great Again'. He defeated 16 competitors in the Republican primaries to secure the nomination and won the general election against Hillary Clinton. His campaign emphasized anti-immigration, anti-free trade, and dismantling the Washington elite, with key promises including building a border wall with Mexico and renegotiating trade agreements.
Presidency (2017-2021)
Trump's presidency is summarized by the following key policies and events:
- Economy: Passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017, reducing the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. Deregulation boosted the energy and financial sectors, and unemployment remained low until the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Immigration: Pursued strict immigration policies, including the 'zero tolerance' policy leading to family separations of undocumented immigrants, attempts to end DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), and a travel ban on several Muslim-majority countries. He pushed for the border wall with Mexico but faced funding challenges.
- Foreign Policy: Held three summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un but failed to reach a denuclearization agreement. Initiated a trade war with China, withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement and the Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA), and demanded NATO allies increase defense spending.
- Judiciary: Appointed three Supreme Court justices—Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett—strengthening the conservative majority.
- Impeachments: Impeached twice: first in 2019 for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress (Ukraine pressure scandal), and second in 2021 for incitement of insurrection (January 6 Capitol attack). Both times, he was acquitted by the Senate.
2020 Election Loss and January 6 Incident
Trump lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden but refused to concede, alleging voter fraud. On January 6, 2021, his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol, shocking American democracy. Subsequently, Trump was impeached for a second time but acquitted.
2024 Re-election
In November 2022, Trump announced his candidacy for the 2024 election. In November 2024, he defeated Democratic nominee Kamala Harris to win re-election. His re-election campaign focused on economic recovery, border security, and 'dismantling the bureaucracy'.
Latest Developments
After his 2024 re-election, Trump has promoted 'America First 2.0', strengthening tariff policies and pursuing federal bureaucracy reform. As of 2025, his administration is conducting large-scale deportation operations of undocumented immigrants and intensifying strategic competition with China. Additionally, Trump maintains political influence by communicating directly with supporters via the social media platform 'Truth Social'. His second term is expected to be characterized by more assertive executive orders and presidential powers.
Related Topics
- [[President of the United States]]
- [[Republican Party (United States)]]
- [[2024 United States presidential election]]
- [[Trumpism]]
- [[January 6 United States Capitol attack]]
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