Donald John Trump, born on June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York City, is an American businessman, media personality, and politician who achieved fame as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021. Known for his distinctive leadership style and controversial political agenda, Trump has had a significant impact on American politics, often referred to as Trumpism, which has reshaped the Republican Party's identity.

Trump was born into a wealthy family; his father, Fred Trump, was a prominent real estate developer. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in economics and took over his family's real estate business, which he renamed the Trump Organization in 1971. Under his leadership, the company expanded its portfolio to include luxurious skyscrapers, hotels, casinos, and golf courses. Despite facing multiple financial challenges, including six business bankruptcies in the 1990s and 2000s, Trump became a well-known figure in the business world and popular culture.

His rise to mainstream fame began with the reality television show The Apprentice, which premiered in 2004. As the show's host, Trump became a household name, portraying himself as a tough but fair businessman. The show not only bolstered his image as a billionaire but also paved the way for his entry into politics. Presenting himself as a political outsider, Trump launched his presidential campaign in 2015 and won the Republican nomination, ultimately defeating Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election.

During his presidency, Trump implemented several controversial policies. He imposed a travel ban on seven Muslim-majority countries, expanded the Mexico–United States border wall, and enforced a family separation policy at the border. His administration rolled back numerous environmental and business regulations, signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and appointed three justices to the Supreme Court. Trump's foreign policy was marked by the withdrawal of the U.S. from various international agreements, including the Paris Agreement on climate change and the Iran nuclear deal, as well as a trade war with China.

After losing the 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden, Trump made unfounded claims of election fraud, which culminated in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. He was impeached twice during his presidency, first in 2019 for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, and again in 2021 for incitement of insurrection, although he was acquitted both times by the Senate.

In 2023, Trump faced civil liabilities for sexual abuse and defamation, as well as business fraud allegations. In 2024, he became the first former U.S. president to be convicted of a felony when found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records. Despite these legal challenges, he won the 2024 presidential election against then-Vice President Kamala Harris and began his second term, which included pardoning many involved in the January 6 riots and implementing significant tariff increases.

Trump's administration has faced more than 300 lawsuits challenging its actions, which critics have described as authoritarian and detrimental to democratic norms. His leadership style has often drawn accusations of racism and misogyny, and his tendency to spread false information has been unprecedented in American political history. Scholars and historians have ranked him among the worst presidents in U.S. history, reflecting the divisive legacy he leaves behind.