Businessman, former president and patriot: The Donald Trump story

Change your attitude and gain some altitude. Believe me, you'll love it up here. As long as you are going to be thinking anyway, think big. ¡ª Donald J. Trump

As a flamboyant businessman whose father was a successful real estate developer, Donald Trump may have had a seemingly easy start but that didn't mean he was without aspiration. From a reality TV show that was reportedly the highest rated ever with him as host, Trump rose the ranks and went on to become the 45th president of the United States. His has been a colourful journey to the top, and the 77-year-old Republican is now hoping for a comeback in the Oval Office.

The starting line

His father, Fred Trump was a successful real estate developer in New York | Image: Wikimedia Commons

Donald John Trump was born on June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York, and was the fourth child. His father, Fred Trump was a successful real estate developer in New York who passed away at the age of 43 due to alcoholism. Trump was shuttled off to a military academy at just 13 with the hope it would teach him discipline.

After studying at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, Trump took a $1 million loan from his father before joining his company, which he renamed the Trump Organization in 1971.

Raising realty

Donald Trump is pictured here with his daughter Ivanka Trump | Image: NBC/Everett Collection via TVline

Donald J. Trump tasted success as a billionaire real estate mogul and reality TV personality. With Trump at the helm, the business shifted gears from making residential units in Queens and Brooklyn to posh Manhattan projects. And so the Trump Tower came to Fifth Avenue, which the property mogul called home for years.

From Atlantic City, Chicago and Las Vegas to the Philippines, Turkey and India, the Trump business expanded to condominiums, golf courses, hotels and casinos. But Trump had no plans of stopping there. He stepped into the world of glitz and glamour as the owner of beauty pageants like Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss Teen USA. But it was NBCs The Apprentice that aired on January 8, 2004, which put him in the centre of it all. Reportedly, he made $427 million from the stint where his go-to phrase "You're fired!" earned him more popularity.

Love, romance and marriage

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive at the Inauguration Freedom Ball, in 2017 | Image: Reuters

Between three marriages and allegations of domestic abuse and assault, most describe Donald Trump's love life as "complicated." His first wife, Ivana Zelnickova, was a Czech model and athlete. They divorced in 1990 and have three children together - Donald Jr, Ivanka and Eric.

He married actress Marla Maples in 1993. They divorced in 1999 and have one child together, Tiffany.

He married former Slovenian model Melania Knauss in 2005 and they're still together. Their son Barron William Trump recently turned 18.

From boardrooms to rallies

Trump surrounded by Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. Image: AP/Evan Vucci

Favouring business over politics, a 34-year-old Trump said in 1980 that "the most capable people" choose the former. Seven years later, he considered his first presidential bid. He took tentative steps in the direction, joining hands briefly with the Reform Part in 2000, and as a Republican in 2012.

In June 2015, Trump surfaced like a huge wave and formally announced his plans for the White House promising to make America "bigger, better."

Trump enjoyed the spotlight, taking on countless debates and discussions with great ease, which not only got him media attention but plenty of fans too. With his 'Make America Great Again' campaign flanking him, he took on Democrat Hillary Clinton. Despite a leaked audio of him reportedly talking about sexual abuse, Trump won the general election and was sworn in as the 45th U.S. President.

There were allegations of collusion between the 2016 Trump campaign and Russia, and not much later, Trump became the country's third president to be impeached. His government faced criticism for not addressing climate change issues, banning travel to Muslim-led countries and launching a trade war with China among other issues.

He found his footing again in the 2020 election year but was forced to abandon the campaign after being diagnosed with COVID-19. He lost to Biden by a reported 7 million votes. Enraged Trump supporters headed to the Capitol and the situation soon devolved into a riot, which led to his second impeachment.

Today, Trump continues to work on his dream of returning to the White House, and according to reports is a "clear" Republican frontrunner. On a July 13, 2024, campaign rally, Trump survived being shot down by a sniper whose bullet only slightly grazed his ear. But this recent assassination bid did something unbelievable: it managed to lend Trump that little something that may have been missing from his previous campaigns. Will Trump return to office, then?

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