History of Donald Trump

Donald John Trump is an American businessman, television personality, and politician who served as the 45th President of the United States from January 2017 to January 2021. Before entering politics, he was known for his work in real estate, particularly with his company, The Trump Organization, and for hosting the reality TV show “The Apprentice.”

Trump’s presidency was marked by significant controversies, policy changes, and a focus on issues like immigration, trade, and tax reform. After losing the 2020 election to Joe Biden, he has remained a prominent figure in American politics and the Republican Party.

1. Donald Trump: A Street Fighter

Donald Trump’s life has always been about the fight-the relentless push to win at any cost. From a young age, Trump understood that in his world, victory wasn’t just an outcome; it was the only acceptable outcome.

As a child, he adopted a “do whatever you have to do” mindset, instilled by his father, Fred Trump. That philosophy became a cornerstone of his life, guiding both his business ventures and, later, his political career. For Trump, losing was never an option, and the idea of playing by the rules felt more like a suggestion than a requirement.

His early life in New York, surrounded by wealth and opportunity, shaped his “street fighter” mentality. He learned early on that power and celebrity could open doors – and once opened, those doors had to be forced wider. Trump thrived on the attention, and whether it was positive or negative, he knew how to turn it into an advantage.

2. Fred Trump’s Influence

President Donald Trump’s father, Fred Trump, was a central figure in shaping the man we know today. A savvy real estate developer, Fred came from modest beginnings and built a powerful real estate empire in New York City. Donald watched his father closely, absorbing the lessons of the real estate world and learning the value of hard work-along with an unflinching ruthlessness.

Fred often told Donald, “Work hard, don’t be weak, and always be a killer.” These words weren’t just advice; they became Donald’s life motto.

By the time Donald Trump entered the business, Fred’s company was already thriving, but Donald was determined to take it even further. He wasn’t content to be just the son of a wealthy businessman; he wanted to create a legacy that would eclipse even his father’s.

3. From Donald to “Trump”

Donald Trump’s rise to fame began with his decision to rebrand his father’s company. “E. Trump & Son” was a name rooted in the past, and Donald knew it needed a modern touch. So, in a strategic move, he renamed the company to “The Trump Organization.”

This wasn’t just about business-it was about branding. Trump’s name became synonymous with luxury, success, and above all, power.

In the 1970s and 1980s, as Trump moved into the Manhattan real estate scene, he started crafting his public persona. He wasn’t just a developer; he was a brand. Trump Tower, built on Fifth Avenue, became a symbol of his ambition. But more importantly, it became a symbol of Donald Trump himself-glitzy, larger-than-life, and undeniably influential.

4. The Discrimination Lawsuit

But not everything Trump touched turned to gold, and controversy has always followed closely behind him. One of the first major scandals that threatened his ascent was the 1973 discrimination lawsuit brought against him and his father by the U.S. Department of Justice.

The lawsuit accused the Trump Organization of refusing to rent apartments to Black tenants, a serious charge in a post-Civil Rights era. Trump’s instinct was to fight back.

He hired the notorious lawyer Roy Cohn, known for his fierce and aggressive style. Cohn countersued the government for $100 million, though the counterclaim was ultimately dismissed. Still, Trump saw the settlement-without admitting guilt-as a victory.

This taught him a key lesson: never admit defeat, never show weakness, and always control the narrative.

5. Winning with Roy Cohn

Roy Cohn became more than just Trump’s lawyer; he became a mentor. Under Cohn’s guidance, Trump learned to be more ruthless, more aggressive, and more willing to bend the rules to get what he wanted.

Cohn was a master at manipulating the system, and Trump soaked up those lessons. Over the next decade, Trump would rely on Cohn’s tactics-public attacks, countersuits, and never admitting fault-as he navigated the treacherous waters of New York real estate.

Cohn’s influence on Trump was profound. He wasn’t just a lawyer; he was a model for how Trump would deal with opposition throughout his life. The strategy was simple: attack, deny, and deflect. It was a style Trump would carry into his presidential campaign and his presidency.

6. The Penn Central Breakthrough

Trump’s first big break in real estate came when he acquired the Commodore Hotel and transformed it into the Grand Hyatt in the late 1970s. This project, which came about largely due to his ability to secure tax breaks and government incentives, marked Trump’s arrival as a major player in Manhattan’s cutthroat real estate market.

But it wasn’t enough for Trump to just succeed; he had to be seen as a winner. The Grand Hyatt deal solidified his reputation, but more importantly, it fed his growing hunger for fame. Soon, it became clear that Trump wasn’t just in real estate for the money-he was in it for the spotlight.

7. The Trump Tower Dream

Trump Tower was Donald’s ultimate dream. A 58-story skyscraper in the heart of Manhattan, it wasn’t just a building; it was a monument to himself. The tower represented everything Trump wanted people to associate with his name-wealth, power, and prestige.

The tower became the base from which Trump would launch his future ambitions, including his flirtations with politics.

It was a bold move for a developer who, up until then, was known more for his father’s connections than his own genius. But Trump Tower changed that. It put Donald Trump on the map as a developer in his own right and set the stage for the next chapter in his life.

8. The 1980s Rise

The 1980s were the height of Donald Trump’s success in business. He embodied the excesses of the era, with his golden penthouses, celebrity lifestyle, and high-profile deals

Trump Casinos in Atlantic City, along with his continued expansion into hotels and luxury real estate, made him a household name. Trump had successfully turned himself into a celebrity, appearing regularly in tabloids and on television.

Trump had it all-wealth, fame, and power. But even in his successes, there were cracks. Many of his ventures were built on enormous amounts of debt. As long as the economy boomed, Trump’s empire flourished. But the excesses of the 1980s were about to catch up with him.

9. The Crash of the 1990s

By the early 1990s, the U.S. economy had entered a recession, and Donald Trump’s highly leveraged empire began to collapse. His Atlantic City casinos, airline, and other businesses started hemorrhaging money.

By 1991, Donald Trump was over $3 billion in debt. His personal fortune was decimated, and he faced bankruptcy on several fronts.

It was a humbling moment for Trump, but rather than retreating, he fought back. Trump’s comeback was not based on repaying his debts, but rather on restructuring them, often at the expense of his creditors. His biggest asset was no longer his real estate portfolio; it was his name, and he began to capitalize on it in new ways.

10. Trump’s Comeback in the 2000s

In true Trump fashion, the 2000s marked a period of reinvention. He shifted his focus from real estate to branding. From Trump Steaks to Trump Vodka, he slapped his name on a variety of products, though many were short-lived.

The key to his resurgence, however, was television. In 2004, Trump launched “The Apprentice,” a reality TV show that catapulted him back into the spotlight.

The success of “The Apprentice” reestablished Trump as a national figure. It also gave him the platform to begin testing the waters for something even bigger, politics. As Trump grew more comfortable in the public eye, he started talking more seriously about a run for president, hinting at it for years before he finally took the plunge.

11. The Birth of The Apprentice

“The Apprentice” was a game-changer for Donald Trump. With his famous catchphrase “You’re fired,” Trump became a fixture in American homes.

The show wasn’t just a hit-it made Trump a cultural icon. His persona as a tough but fair business mogul was solidified in the public’s mind. Trump wasn’t just a businessman anymore; he was a television star, a brand, and for some, a role model of success.

This newfound fame also revived Trump’s image as a successful businessman, despite the financial struggles of the previous decade. More importantly, it gave him a new base of fans-people who admired him not for his business acumen, but for his celebrity status.

12. The Road to Politics

Trump had toyed with the idea of running for office for years, but it wasn’t until the political climate of the 2010s that he seriously considered it. With America deeply divided and a growing sense of frustration among many voters, Trump saw an opportunity.

His rhetoric on issues like immigration, trade, and national security resonated with a large swath of the electorate who felt ignored by both political parties.

In June 2015, Trump announced his candidacy for the presidency, descending the escalator in Trump Tower to the tune of Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World.” His speech, full of controversial statements, set the tone for what would become one of the most contentious political campaigns in modern U.S. history.

13. The 2016 Presidential Run

Trump’s 2016 campaign was unlike anything the U.S. had ever seen. He ran as a political outsider, railing against the “swamp” of Washington and promising to “Make America Great Again.” His rallies were raucous, his speeches filled with bombastic claims, and his campaign was defined by its unpredictability.

While many initially dismissed Trump’s candidacy as a publicity stunt, he quickly gained traction. He appealed to voters who felt left behind by globalization and were tired of the political establishment.

Despite his controversial statements and a media landscape that often predicted his downfall, Trump secured the Republican nomination and ultimately the presidency in a shocking election night victory over Hillary Clinton.

14. The Shocking Win

Donald Trump’s victory in the 2016 election stunned political analysts and the world at large. He lost the popular vote but won the Electoral College, pulling off key victories in swing states like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. His win represented a seismic shift in American politics, bringing a populist, nationalist message to the forefront.

For many, Trump’s election was the ultimate protest against the political elite. His supporters saw him as someone who could shake up the system, while his critics feared what his presidency would mean for democracy, civil rights, and America’s role in the world.

15. The Trump Presidency

Trump’s presidency was defined by controversy and division. His policies, such as the travel ban on several predominantly Muslim countries, his approach to immigration, and his handling of international relations, were highly polarizing.

He faced numerous investigations, including a probe into his campaign’s ties to Russia, and he was impeached twice by the House of Representatives.

Yet, despite the controversies and legal challenges, Trump maintained a fiercely loyal base of supporters. His presidency reshaped the Republican Party and left a lasting impact on American politics, one that will be debated for years to come.

As history continues to unfold, Donald Trump remains one of the most divisive and influential figures in modern American history. Whether loved or loathed, his story is far from over.

16. Post-Presidency and 2024 Campaign

After leaving office in January 2021, Donald Trump continued to be a central figure in American politics. His departure was marked by controversy, including the January 6th Capitol riots, which led to his second impeachment-making him the first U.S. president to be impeached twice.

Although acquitted in the Senate, the events further divided the nation and cemented Trump’s status as a polarizing figure.

Despite this, Trump maintained a strong grip on the Republican Party. He repeatedly hinted at a political comeback, fueling speculation about a potential 2024 presidential run. In November 2022, Trump officially announced his candidacy for the 2024 election, aiming to reclaim the presidency with a campaign built on the themes of economic revival, “America First” policies, and immigration control.

His continued influence on U.S. politics remains undeniable, as his base of supporters remains deeply loyal, and he remains a formidable contender in the political arena.

As the 2024 campaign unfolds, Trump’s influence on the Republican Party and American politics as a whole continues to shape the nation’s discourse, ensuring that his legacy-whether as a disruptor, a champion of populism, or a divisive figure-will endure.