Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Donald Trump Jr.

How Donald Trump Jr. built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Donald John Trump Jr. is an American businessman, political activist, and the eldest child of former U.S. President Donald Trump and Ivana Trump. He has been actively involved in the Trump Organization and has played a prominent role in his father's political campaigns. He is often referred to as Don Jr. and has been a vocal supporter of his father's policies and political agenda. Beyond his business ventures, he has also become a notable figure in conservative media and political circles.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

2000: Moved to Aspen, Colorado

After graduating from Penn in 2000, Donald Trump Jr. moved to Aspen, Colorado, where he hunted, fished, skied, lived in a truck, and worked as a bartender for a year before returning to join the Trump Organization.

2000: Graduated from Wharton School

In 2000, Donald Trump Jr. graduated from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School with a B.S. in Economics.

2006: Launched Trump Mortgage and Appeared on The Apprentice

In 2006, Donald Trump Jr. helped launch Trump Mortgage and also appeared as a guest advisor and judge on The Apprentice.

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2010: Became Spokesperson for Cambridge Who's Who

In 2010, Donald Trump Jr. became a spokesperson and "executive director of global branding" for Cambridge Who's Who.

2015: Last Season on The Apprentice

2015 marked the last season Donald Trump Jr. appeared on his father's reality television show The Apprentice.

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2016: Central Member of Father's Campaign

Ahead of the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump Jr. was a central member of his father's campaign and spoke at the Republican National Convention.

2016: Influenced Interior Secretary Choice

In 2016, Donald Trump Jr. influenced his father's choice of Secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke, during the presidential transition.

2016: Active in Father's 2016 Presidential Campaign

In 2016, Donald Trump Jr. was active in his father's 2016 presidential campaign and had a meeting with a Russian lawyer who promised damaging information about Hillary Clinton.

January 11, 2017: Oversight of Trump Organization Trust

On January 11, 2017, Donald Trump Jr. and his brother Eric were announced to oversee a trust that included the Trump Organization's assets while his father was president, to avert a conflict of interest.

April 2017: Campained for Greg Gianforte

In April 2017, Donald Trump Jr. campaigned for Montana congressional candidate Greg Gianforte.

February 2018: Advertisements for Trump Organization Apartments in India

In February 2018, advertisements in Indian newspapers promoted a deal whereby anyone who purchased Trump Organization apartments in Gurgaon before February 20 would be invited to have a "conversation and dinner" with Donald Trump Jr. These ads were criticized as unethical.

2018: Campagined for Republicans

During the 2018 midterm elections, Donald Trump Jr. campaigned for several Republican candidates.

2018: Actively Campaigned for Republican Candidates

During the 2018 midterms election cycle, Donald Trump Jr. actively campaigned on behalf of Republican candidates, raised millions of dollars, and is credited with helping Republican candidates win.

2019: Authored Triggered

In 2019, Donald Trump Jr. authored the book "Triggered".

Triggered: How the Left Thrives on Hate and Wants to Silence Us

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2019: Release of "Triggered: How the Left Thrives on Hate and Wants to Silence Us"

In 2019, Donald Trump Jr. released the book "Triggered: How the Left Thrives on Hate and Wants to Silence Us". The book criticizes political correctness and argues that the American left has a victimhood complex. The book generated controversy and was critically panned.

Triggered: How the Left Thrives on Hate and Wants to Silence Us

Check it on Amazon

October 2020: "Don Jr. 2024" Flag Photo

In October 2020, Donald Trump Jr. posted a photo to his Instagram account of a "Don Jr. 2024" flag, fueling speculation for a 2024 run for president.

October 2020: Suggested Senate Run and Crowded Rally

In October 2020, Pennsylvania Republicans suggested Donald Trump Jr. run for the vacant Senate seat in Pennsylvania in 2022, and he held a crowded indoor rally where attendees did not wear masks.

October 28, 2020: RNC Purchased "Liberal Privilege" in Bulk

On October 28, 2020, the RNC paid over $300,000 to Pursuit Venture LLC, a company owned by Donald Trump Jr., for "donor mementos". This was the most money the RNC had ever spent for this purpose, and it is believed that they were purchasing copies of "Liberal Privilege" to give to donors who contributed $50–$100.

2020: Authored Liberal Privilege

In 2020, Donald Trump Jr. authored the book "Liberal Privilege".

Liberal Privilege : Joe Biden And The Democrats' Defense Of The Indefensible

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2020: Self-Published "Liberal Privilege"

In 2020, Donald Trump Jr. self-published the book "Liberal Privilege: Joe Biden and the Democrats' Defense of the Indefensible", detailing his criticisms of Joe Biden. He hired researchers and spent three months writing the book, citing being "stuck indoors" during the pandemic as his motivation. He chose to self-publish to leverage his own platform and the potential for bulk purchases from the RNC.

Liberal Privilege : Joe Biden And The Democrats' Defense Of The Indefensible

Check it on Amazon

2020: Active in Father's 2020 Presidential Campaign

In 2020, Donald Trump Jr. was active in his father's 2020 presidential campaign, often being on the campaign trail and being featured in the news for making unfounded claims. He called for "total war" as the results were counted and promoted the stolen election conspiracy theory. Following his father's defeat, he engaged in attempts to overturn the results.

2022: Suggested Senate Run

In October 2020, Pennsylvania Republicans suggested Donald Trump Jr. run for the vacant Senate seat in Pennsylvania in 2022.

2023: Launched Podcast: Triggered with Don Jr

In 2023, Donald Trump Jr. launched a podcast, "Triggered with Don Jr", on the platform Rumble.

February 16, 2024: Barred from Serving as Officer or Director

On February 16, 2024, a ruling barred Donald Trump Jr. from serving as an officer or director of any New York corporation or other legal entity in New York, including the Trump Organization, for two years.

November 2024: Joined 1789 Capital as a Partner

In November 2024, Donald Trump Jr. announced that he would be joining 1789 Capital as a partner.

December 2024: Joined Board of Directors of PublicSquare

In December 2024, it was announced that Donald Trump Jr. was joining the board of directors of PublicSquare.

2024: Presidential Run Speculation

Before his father's loss in the 2020 election, Donald Trump Jr. was the subject of speculation for a 2024 run for president.

2024: Introduced JD Vance at Republican National Convention

In 2024, Donald Trump Jr. led the introductions of JD Vance, Donald Trump's running mate, at the Republican National Convention.

April 2025: Opening of The Executive Branch Club

In April 2025, the Executive Branch, a Washington, D.C., private membership club opened with a party that included members of the Trump administration, "wealthy CEOs, tech founders, and policy experts". Donald Trump Jr. co-founded the club.

2025: Firm Investment in Enhanced Games

In 2025, Donald Trump Jr. announced that his firm, 1789 Capital, would invest in the Enhanced Games, a proposed sports event that will allow performance enhancing drugs.