Donald Trump has lived several careers in one lifetime: real estate developer, casino owner, reality TV host, and twice-elected U.S. president. Few public figures have generated as many headlines, or as many myths, so we double-checked the record before publishing.
Below are 20 verified facts about his business ventures, pop-culture cameos, and political career, followed by quick answers to common questions.
Donald Trump was born in Queens, New York, on June 14, 1946, the fourth of five children of real estate developer Fred Trump and Mary Anne MacLeod Trump.
He attended the New York Military Academy starting at age 13, then transferred to the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1968 with a degree in economics.
Trump began his career at his father's real estate firm, Elizabeth Trump & Son, which he later renamed the Trump Organization.
In 1980, Trump completed his first major Manhattan project: a top-to-bottom renovation of the old Commodore Hotel into the Grand Hyatt New York, a deal that launched his career in high-profile real estate.
His 1987 book "The Art of the Deal" became a bestseller and is still widely cited as one of the best-known business books of its era.
Trump opened Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City in 1984, but his casino ventures later filed for corporate bankruptcy protection multiple times, in 1991, 1992, 2004, and 2009.
He owned the Miss Universe Organization, including the Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss Teen USA pageants, from 1996 to 2015.
Trump hosted the NBC reality show "The Apprentice" from 2004 to 2015, later joined by a celebrity spin-off, before stepping away to run for president.
He announced his presidential candidacy on June 16, 2015, and won the 2016 election as the Republican nominee against Democrat Hillary Clinton.
Trump was the first U.S. president elected without ever having held prior political office or served in the military.
The House of Representatives impeached Trump twice: in December 2019 over dealings with Ukraine, and in January 2021 over incitement of insurrection following the Capitol attack. The Senate acquitted him both times.
Trump received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2007 for his work as a producer on "The Apprentice"; the star has since been vandalized several times.
He has made cameo appearances in films and shows including "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York," "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," "Zoolander," and "Sex and the City."
Trump was a co-owner of the New Jersey Generals in the United States Football League (USFL) during the 1980s.
At Trump's urging, the USFL sued the NFL for antitrust violations; a jury found the NFL guilty but awarded the USFL just $1 in damages (tripled to $3), and the league folded soon after.
Trump hosted WrestleMania IV and V at his Trump Plaza in Atlantic City and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013.
He has authored or co-authored more than a dozen books beyond "The Art of the Deal," including "Trump: The Art of the Comeback" and "Crippled America."
The Trump name has been licensed to numerous branded products over the years, including Trump Steaks, Trump Vodka, and Trump Fragrances.
Trump was permanently suspended from Twitter in January 2021 following the Capitol riot; his account was later reinstated after Elon Musk acquired the platform.
Trump University, a for-profit education venture, faced multiple fraud lawsuits and was resolved with a $25 million settlement in 2016.
In 2024, Trump won a second, non-consecutive presidential term, becoming only the second person in U.S. history (after Grover Cleveland) to serve as both the 45th and 47th president.
At his second inauguration in January 2025, Trump became the oldest person ever sworn in as U.S. president, at age 78.
We write every article to be genuinely fun — and genuinely true. Each fact is checked against reputable sources before it goes live. Spotted something off? Tell us and read our fact-check policy.
PeopleFrom fire-eating to piloting planes, these 10 celebrities have surprising hidden talents you never knew about.
PeopleFrom Crossfire to Fox News and beyond, discover 19 verified facts about Tucker Carlson's life, career, family, and controversies.
Curious where you land politically? Explore verified facts about the conservative-liberal spectrum, its history, and how political quizzes actually work.
PeopleFrom a Bronx volleyball scholarship to a viral hit and Grammy nods, discover verified facts about rapper Ice Spice's rise to fame.