Donald Trump - Presidents of the United States (POTUS)

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Donald John Trump

45th President of the United States
(January 20, 2017 to January 20, 2021)

Nicknames: None listed.

Born: June 14, 1946, in New York

Father: Frederick Christ Trump, Sr.
Mother: Mary Anne MacLeod Trump
Married: Ivana Zelníčková (1949– ), on April 7, 1977 (divorced in 1992); Marla Maples (1963– ), on December 20, 1993 (divorced in 1999); Melania Trump (1970– ), on January 22, 2005
Children: Donald John Trump Jr. (1977– ); Ivana Marie “Ivanka” Trump (1981– ); Eric Frederick Trump (1984– );
Tiffany Ariana Trump (1993– );
Barron William Trump (2006– )

Religion: Identifies as “non-denominational Christian,” although raised Presbyterian
Education: Graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, with a B.S. in economics
Occupation: Businessman and Television Personality

Political Party: Republican
Other Government Positions: None

Presidential Salary: $400,000/year + $50,000 expense account

The 45th president of the United States, Donald Trump, was elected to the office without any prior public or military experience. His nomination by the Republican party surprised some, but it also testified to the frustration of conservatives with previous performances of the other Republican candidates.

Trump’s campaign and tenure in office were marked by strong nationalist, anti-immigrant, and protectionist sentiments enshrined in “America-first” policy decisions such as the withdrawal from the TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership) negotiations, the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), and the Paris Climate Agreement; a ban on travelers from 7 Muslim-majority countries; greater powers to ICE (Immigrations and Customs Enforcement); a trade war with China; and the building of a wall along the length of the US-Mexico border.

Deriving significant support from white working class voters, the Trump administration’s policy consistently reflected populism and conservatism. Tax rates were slashed; infrastructure for fossil fuels was facilitated; the Affordable Care Act, laws against LGBTQ discrimination, and federal regulations in several areas were repealed. Trump also presided over the longest government shutdown in US history, as well as some of the largest and most fervent protests in recent history regarding race, police violence, gender, and the environment.

Controversy dogged both the presidential campaign and Trump’s term in office, examples of which include the allegations of and investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 elections; the nominations and confirmations of US Supreme Court justices Brett Cavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett; the non-disclosure of Trump’s tax forms; and accusations of abuse of office and nepotism when he appointed his daughter and son-in law, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, to key positions in his administration.

The end of Trump’s presidential term was marked by a much criticized handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and the January 6th storming of the Capitol by his supporters in rejection of the results of the 2020 elections. The latter earned him a second impeachment days before his predecessor, Joe Biden’s inauguration, making him the first president to be impeached twice.

**Presidential Election Results:**
Year		Popular Votes	Electoral Votes
2017	Donald Trump	62,985,153	304
	Hillary Clinton	65,853,677	227

Vice President: Mike Pence (2017-2021)

Cabinet:

Secretary of State: Mike Pompeo (2018–2021 )
Secretary of the Treasury: Steven T. Mnuchin (2017–2021 )
Secretary of Defense: James N. Mattis (2017–2018); Mark T. Esper (2019–2020)
Attorney General: Jeff Sessions (2017–2018); William Barr (2019–2020)
Secretary of the Interior: David Bernhardt (2019–2021); Ryan Zinke (2017–2019)
Secretary of Agriculture: Sonny Perdue (2017–2021)
Secretary of Commerce: Wilbur Ross (2017–2021) [At the age of 79, the oldest first-time US cabinet appointee]
Secretary of Labor: Alexander Acosta (2017–2019); Eugene Scalia (2019–2021)
Secretary of Health and Human Services: Tom Price (2017); Alex Azar (2018–2021)
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Benjamin S. Carson, Sr. (2017–2021)
Secretary of Transportation: Elaine L. Chao (2017–2021)
Secretary of Energy: Rick Perry (2017–2019); Dan Brouillette (2019–2021)
Secretary of Education: Betsy DeVos (2017–2021)
Secretary of Veterans Affairs: David Shulkin (2017–2018); Robert Wilkie (2018–2021 )
Secretary of Homeland Security: John F. Kelly (2017); Kirstjen Nielsen (2017–2019)

Supreme Court Appointments:

Associate Justice: Neil Gorsuch (2017– ); Brett Kavanaugh (2018– ); Amy Coney Barrett (2020– )

Notable Events:

2021
- The US Capitol is attacked by a mob protesting the results of the 2020 presidential elections. This takes place on January 6, the day the results were to be certified by Congress. Several commentators and legislators accuse the president of having inspired and encouraged the mob.
- Trump is impeached a second time on charges of incitement of insurrection for the attack on Capitol.
2020
- Iranian general Qassem Soleimani is killed by US drone strikes in Iraq. Missiles are fired at US bases in Iraq by Iran in retaliation with no deaths.
- The USMCA is ratified by the Senate, replacing NAFTA.
- Limits are placed on travel from China due to the coronavirus outbreak.
- The US’s withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty is announced.
- President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial in the Senate ends in acquittal.
- The Covid-19 pandemic is officially declared by the WHO.
- Covid-19 is declared to be a national emergency. Shutdowns and relief operations are put in place.
- Operation Warp Speed is initiated to support the development of a vaccine for Covid-19 and to fast-track its production.
- George Floyd is murdered on May 25 by a police officer in Minneapolis. His death sets off months of intensive protests across the country and the world, demanding police reform and racial justice.
- Trump announces the US’s withdrawal from the WHO.
- Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg dies. In a controversial move, Amy Coney Barret is confirmed to replace her eight days before the presidential election.
- An article is published in the New York Times on President Trump’s tax returns.
- President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump test positive for Covid-19.
- Election Day, November 3, comes to an end with the race too close to call.
- President Trump claims victory on November 4 even as counting is underway.
- On November 7, the presidential race is called for Democratic nominee Joe Biden by the media.
- Election results are contested by the Trump campaign in swing states claiming voter fraud due to mail-in ballots.
- The investigation into voter fraud claims is concluded by the Justice Department on December 2, with no fraud found.
- The first emergency vaccine against Covid-19 is approved by the FDA.
- Claims of voter fraud are rejected by the Supreme Court.
- Democratic nominee Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris are officially declared to be the President and Vice President, respectively, by the Electoral College.
2019
- The longest government shutdown in US history ends on January 25. It had begun in December 2018 due to a disagreement between Trump and Congress over the funding of the border wall between the US and Mexico.
- A national emergency is declared to fund the border wall.
- The Mueller report on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election is released.
- A summit is held at the Korean Demilitarized Zone between Trump, Kim Jong Un, and South Korean president Moon Jae-in.
- US Space Command is established.
- President Trump is impeached by the House of Representatives on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
2018
- The federal government shuts down for three days due to disagreements in Congress over funding.
- The US-China trade war begins.
- Indictments issued against 12 Russian officials for interference in the 2016 general elections.
- The March for Our Lives rally is held by students to support gun control legislation.
- The US withdraws from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
- The Global Health Security and Biodefense unit is disbanded.
- The US embassy in Israel is moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
- Trump meets with North Korean head Kim Jong Un at the Singapore Summit.
- An executive order is signed in June ending the controversial months-long policy of separating families at the southern US border.
- Brett Cavanaugh is appointed as Supreme Court Justice following confirmation hearings accompanied by accusations of sexual misconduct.
- Midterm elections give Democrats control of the House of Representatives, while Republicans gain seats in the Senate.
2017
- The Women’s March takes place a day after Trump is inaugurated.
- The 1984 Mexico City Policy is reinstated.
- The US withdraws from the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
- An executive order refusing entry into the US to people from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen is signed and brought into effect. Due to legal challenges, the order is later revised. The Refugee Admissions Policy is also suspended for 120 days.
- Executive orders rolling back the previous administration’s legislation for environmental protection are signed.
- US strikes against the Syrian government take place. This is the first instance of direct US action against the Al-Assad government in the Syrian Civil War.
- The number of US troops in Afghanistan is increased.
- President Trump addresses the UN General Assembly.
- The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is signed into law.

In the News After the White House:

Below is more news about Donald Trump after his term as the president of the United States.

Breaking with tradition, ex-President Donald Trump refused to attend the inauguration of successor Joe Biden.
The, now former, president was acquitted a second time by the Senate at the impeachment trial.
Donald Trump held his first rally since leaving office in July 2021.
The US House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack conducted several proceedings throughout 2022. In December of that year, it concluded that former President Trump was responsible for inciting the Capitol riots.
In August 2022, the FBI searched Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property and found classified state documents. This allegedly put the former president in violation of the Presidential Records Act. In June 2023, he was indicted for 37 federal felony counts of mishandling classified documents; he pled not guilty.
Donald Trump announced his campaign for the 2024 presidential elections on November 15, 2022.

Internet Biographies:

Donald Trump — from White House: Compiled by the White House.
Donald Trump — from American Presidents: Life Portraits-C-SPAN: Biographical information, trivia, key events, video, and other reference materials. Website created to accompany C-SPAN’s 20th Anniversary Television Series, American Presidents: Life Portraits.
Donald Trump — from U.S. Presidents: From the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia, in addition to information on the Presidents themselves, they have first lady and cabinet member biographies, listings of presidential staff and advisers, and timelines detailing significant events in the lives of each administration.

Historical Documents:

Donald Trump’s full acceptance Republican nomination speech
President Trump’s election night victory speech (2016)
First Inaugural Address (2016)
Donald Trump’s Remarks on the rioters stormed the US Capitol (2021)

Media Resources:

Inaugural Address from C-SPAN

Other Internet Resources:

Newspaper Front Pages from November 9, 2016 from The Atlantic: Images of newspaper and magazine front pages from around the world on the day after Trump’s historic victory in the 2016 Presidential election.
Donald Trump’s Twitter 2015-2021 from The American Presidency Project

Points of Interest:

Trump was the first President who came into office with no prior government or military experience.
The Trump administration has set a record in staff turnover.
President Trump was the third US President to be impeached (in July 2019) and the second to be impeached in his first term; he was acquitted both times.
Trump has been the first President to be divorced twice and married thrice.
No war has been started during the Trump administration; this is a first since the Reagan presidency (1980-1988).

FAQs:

When did Trump become president?

Donald Trump became president of the United States on January 20, 2017. He was elected to the position in November 2016 after beating Democratic rival Hilary Clinton.

Is Trump Republican?

Yes, Donald Trump is currently a Republican. He won the 2016 presidential election while running the Republican ticket and is also campaigning in the party’s primaries for 2024. However, the former president has a history as a Democrat: For a majority of the early 2000s, he had registered as a Democrat, according to New York City voter records.

Where did Donald Trump complete his education?

Donald Trump completed his education at the higher education institutes Fordham University and the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce. He received a BA in economics from the latter institute in 1968.

What is Donald Trump’s net worth?

As of 2023, Forbes reported that former President Donald Trump’s net worth came up to approximately $2.5 billion USD. A large chunk of this wealth comes from his real estate holdings and investments in the Trump Media & Technology Group.

Why was Donald Trump impeached twice?

Trump was first impeached in December 2019. The charges were abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. It resulted when whistleblowers revealed that the president had pressured Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate dealings of Joe and Hunter Biden while the latter had been a board member of Burisma Holdings, a natural gas producer in Ukraine, and the former had been the US vice president. Trump reportedly threatened to withdraw military aid until a public announcement of the investigations would be made. And given that Joe Biden was a strong potential rival in the 2020 elections, the House viewed the matter as an abuse of office for personal gain. However, the Senate acquitted him.

The second impeachment came in January 2021, after the hotly contested presidential elections in 2020. Following the announcement of the election results, Trump had refused to concede to Biden, claiming election fraud. During a rally on January 6, the day Congress would certify the results, Trump called for supporters to march to the Capitol. A few hours later, rioters stormed the Capitol, attempting to stop the certification. On the basis of the speech he delivered on the day, the House of Representatives impeached Trump a second time on the charge of incitement of insurrection. The Senate blocked an advancement of the trial, waiting until after he had left office. Even then, it acquitted him.

Related Resources:

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