Overview

Donald John Trump is a public figure who rose from a family real estate business to become a national political leader. He is widely known as an American businessman, a media personality and politician, and served as the 45th President of the United States. His profile combines commercial development, mass-media exposure and a populist political style that reshaped parts of the Republican Party and U.S. public debate.

Business and media career

Trump led and branded a private holding company, The Trump Organization, whose portfolio has included office towers, hotels, casinos and residential buildings. Much of his business activity centered on urban real estate markets such as New York City New York, entertainment and resort developments in Las Vegas Las Vegas, and hospitality investments in Atlantic City Atlantic City. He expanded his public persona by acquiring and operating events like the Miss Universe pageant and by starring in the reality television series The Apprentice, which increased his national recognition. Later in life he changed his primary residence from New York New York to Florida Florida, a move noted in public filings about residency.

Entry into politics and 2016 campaign

Trump announced his candidacy for president in 2015 and ran for the Republican nomination for the 2016 presidential election 2016. His campaign drew intense media attention and, by mid-2015, polling showed him leading the Republican field polls and emerging as the party front-runner front-runner. He competed against other Republican candidates including Ted Cruz Ted Cruz. His rhetoric on immigration immigration, national security and cultural issues generated both strong support from many middle-class and rural working-class voters working-class supporters and substantial criticism from Democrats Democrats, some Republicans Republicans, business leaders business figures, and foreign officials world leaders. The campaign also drew commentary from religious leaders and public figures including the pope the pope.

2016 election and presidency (2017–2021)

After securing the Republican nomination nomination in 2016, Trump faced Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton Hillary Clinton, a former Secretary of State Secretary of State, senator and First Lady First Lady. The electoral contest concluded in November 2016 when Trump won a majority of the Electoral College votes—surpassing the required 270 electoral votes electoral votes—and was inaugurated on January 20, 2017 inauguration. His presidency prioritized tax changes, deregulation, a tougher stance on trade, and appointments to the federal judiciary, while provoking vigorous public debate about tone, policy and institutional norms.

Trump's time in office and the period that followed featured multiple controversies and formal inquiries. In late 2019 the House of Representatives, led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy Pelosi, opened an impeachment inquiry impeachment inquiry and the House voted to begin the process House vote. Committees produced reports alleging misconduct including charges described as bribery and obstruction bribery and wire fraud wire fraud, and the House ultimately voted to impeach him impeach. The Senate later held a trial and voted to acquit acquit him in early 2020.

Following the 2020 presidential election 2020 election, which was won by Joe Biden Joe Biden, Trump disputed the outcome, filed legal challenges in several states lawsuits, and publicly questioned tabulation and certification procedures. He told some state officials, including Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger Brad Raffensperger, that he wanted to address vote totals; the episode and broader post-election events culminated in a violent breach of the U.S. Capitol U.S. Capitol by supporters. The House impeached him a second time House of Representatives, making him the only U.S. president formally impeached twice, and the Senate again acquitted him Senate.

Legacy, influence and later developments

Trump's political movement reshaped party coalitions, media discourse and policy priorities for many Americans. Supporters credit him with an assertive economic agenda and conservative judicial appointments; critics point to divisions in public life, repeated legal disputes, and a confrontational governing style. After leaving office he remained an influential figure within the Republican Party and continued to be active in public life, including political campaigning and commentary. His post-presidential period has included ongoing legal examinations and civil and criminal cases reported in public records related matters and public proceedings public scrutiny.