Donald John Trump, a businessman, politician, and media personality, set history as the 45th president of the U.S. He stirred up quite a range of controversy throughout his office tenure. Trump has had an everlasting influence on politics in the United States and all around the globe due to his unorthodox approach. His journey from a real estate tycoon to the highest office of the land is one filled with ambition, controversies and stubborn persistence.
Donald Trump: Early Life and Education
Trump, in inception, was born in Queens, New York to Fred and Mary Trump on June 14, 1946. His father was a real estate developer which means he had a leg up in the business world. Trump attended New York Military Academy during his early teenage years which greatly aided in instilling discipline and leadership skills in him.
Trump then went on to study at Fordham University, later shifting to The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania in 1968. There, he received an economics degree. His degree in economics was bound to aid him during his real estate projects.
Donald Trump: Business Career
After completing his degree, Trump entered the family business and took over his father’s real estate firm, Elizabeth Trump & Son, which he would later change to The Trump Organization. He specialized in notable projects such as luxury hotels, commercial properties, and casinos. Some of his ventures include the Trump Tower in Manhattan and the Trump International Hotel in Washington D.C.
Trump’s business career started strong, however, it was also interlaced with failures. On one hand, he created a household name with a global brand, but on the other hand, he also encountered several bankruptcies as well as other financial issues. His involvement in reality television helped mitigate some of the reputational risks as he was able to cement himself as a well-known name with “The Apprentice”.
Donald Trump: Entry into Politics
Hints of Trump’s political ambitions were visible over the years due to several presidential runs however President Trump was able to announce his candidacy for the 2016 US presidential elections in 2015 as a Republican. He gained popularity amongst voters who were unhappy with the current political situation as he appealed to Nationalism, “America First” along with economic growth.
His campaign was underscored by his controversial speech, pledges to build a wall at the US-Mexico border, and paying attention to immigration and trade issues. Even though Trump had to fight against a lot of scrutiny and resistance, he was able to secure the nomination of the Republican Party and go ahead to beat his Democrat counterpart, Hillary Clinton, in the general elections for an unexpected triumph.
Donald Trump: Presidency 2017- 2021
Trump’s policies as president revolved around deregulation, cutting down taxes, and changing international trade policies. The administration was able to accomplish a lot of things, including the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and the modification of NAFTA to USMCA – The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
But, his presidency was also entangled in a lot of controversies including, the investigation of Russian meddling in the elections, the impeachment hearing, and the criticism directed towards him in regards to the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. He received both positive and negative feedback on his strict measures of immigration and pulling out of foreign agreements including the Paris Climate Accord.
Trump’s style of communication, especially on social media, changed the norm. He transformed the relationship between politicians and the public through his aggressive tweeting and unsparing responses to both supporters and adversaries.
Donald Trump: Post-presidency and Legacy
Trump did not manage to win the election against Joe Biden in 2020 and this caused him to become disobedient in conceding which led to the claims of election fraud along with the January 6 Capitol riot in 2021. His role in the events led to his historic second impeachment by the House of Representatives, although he was acquitted by the Senate.
After his presidency term, he did however carry huge influence over American politics as well as in the Republican Party. He remains one of the most controversial figures with strong supporters alongside critics who stand by the claim that he was a divisive figure during his reign in the presidency.
Conclusion
Trump and his life inspire ambition, controversy and resilience. His controversial life began with his real estate pursuits at the White House where he was able to consistently satiate expectations and kept surpassing them making him a significant figure in American life. Trump is admired and criticized for various reasons however his impact on the political and business set is something that can hardly be ignored while his legacy continues to shape the future of the nation.