Early Life and Education of Donald Trump Jr.: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Donald Trump Jr., highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Donald John Trump Jr., or Don Jr., is an American businessman and the eldest child of former U.S. President Donald Trump and Ivana Trump. He has been deeply involved in the Trump Organization, working alongside his siblings. He is known for his active role in Republican politics and has been a vocal supporter of his father's political career. Don Jr. has also authored books and remains a prominent figure in conservative media. He often appears at political rallies and events, maintaining a public profile.

Sections (4)

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

December 31, 1977: Donald Trump Jr. Born

On December 31, 1977, Donald John Trump Jr., the eldest child of Donald Trump and Ivana Trump, was born.

2000: Graduation from Wharton School

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

2000: Move to Aspen and Return to Trump Organization

In 2000, after graduating from Penn, Donald Trump Jr. moved to Aspen, Colorado, working as a bartender, before returning to the Trump Organization in New York.

2003: Began Dating Vanessa Kay Haydon

In 2003, Donald Trump Jr. started dating model Vanessa Kay Haydon at his father's suggestion.

November 12, 2005: Marriage to Vanessa Haydon

On November 12, 2005, Donald Trump Jr. married model Vanessa Kay Haydon at his father's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. The service was officiated by Trump Jr.'s aunt, Judge Maryanne Trump Barry.

May 2007: Birth of Daughter Kai Madison

In May 2007, Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Haydon welcomed their first child, a daughter named Kai Madison.

2007: Donation to Hillary Clinton's Campaign

In 2007, Donald Trump Jr. gave $4,000 to then-Senator Hillary Clinton's campaign.

February 2009: Birth of Son Donald John III

In February 2009, Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Haydon had their second child, a son named Donald John Trump III.

2010: Hunting Trip

In 2010, Donald Trump Jr. participated in hunting trips where he took pictures of his hunting trophies.

October 2011: Birth of Son Tristan Milos

In October 2011, Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Haydon welcomed their third child, a son named Tristan Milos.

2011: Comments on Frederica Wilson

In 2011, Donald Trump Jr. responded to criticism of the Tea Party movement by Frederica Wilson, confusing her with Maxine Waters and making comments about her hats.

October 2012: Birth of Son Spencer Frederick

In October 2012, Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Haydon had their fourth child, a son named Spencer Frederick.

2012: Hunting Trophy Pictures Published

In 2012, controversy arose when photos of Donald Trump Jr.'s hunting trophies from 2010 were published, including by Mia Farrow, leading to criticism from anti-hunting activists. At least one sponsor dropped his father's TV show "The Celebrity Apprentice".

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June 2014: Birth of Daughter Chloe Sophia

In June 2014, Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Haydon welcomed their fifth child, a daughter named Chloe Sophia.

2015: Hunting Trophies Reposted

In 2015, Mia Farrow reposted photos of Donald Trump Jr.'s hunting trophies, which led to criticism from anti-hunting activists.

March 1, 2016: Interview with James Edwards Aired

On March 1, 2016, an interview with white supremacist James Edwards and Donald Trump Jr. was aired, leading to accusations of him being a believer in the white genocide conspiracy theory.

June 9, 2016: Meeting at Trump Tower

On June 9, 2016, Donald Trump Jr., along with Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort, met with Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya at Trump Tower in Manhattan to receive damaging information about Hillary Clinton.

August 2016: Meeting with UAE and Saudi Arabia Emissary

In August 2016, Donald Trump Jr. had a meeting with an emissary for the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia who offered help to the Trump presidential campaign.

2016: Close Political Advisor in 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: Skittles Refugee Analogy Controversy

During his father's presidential campaign in 2016, Donald Trump Jr. caused controversy when he posted an image comparing Syrian refugees to Skittles, leading to condemnation.

2016: WikiLeaks Actively Solicited Cooperation

During the 2016 campaign, WikiLeaks actively solicited the cooperation of Donald Trump Jr., urging the Trump campaign to reject the results and shared a made-up claim by True Pundit that Hillary Clinton had wanted to attack Assange with drones.

2016: Influence on Secretary of the Interior Choice

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

2016: Involvement in 2016 Presidential Campaign

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

2016: Correspondence with WikiLeaks

In 2016, during the presidential election, Donald Trump Jr. corresponded with WikiLeaks via Twitter, as revealed later.

January 11, 2017: Overseeing Trump Organization Assets

On January 11, 2017, Donald Trump Sr. announced that Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump would oversee a trust that included the Trump Organization's assets while Donald Trump Sr. was president.

April 2017: Campaigning for Greg Gianforte

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

July 8, 2017: Release of Email Exchange

On July 8, 2017, Donald Trump Jr. tweeted his email exchange with Rob Goldstone, revealing that he agreed to attend the Trump Tower meeting with the understanding he would receive information damaging to Hillary Clinton.

September 2017: Request to Remove Secret Service Detail

In September 2017, Donald Trump Jr. asked to have his Secret Service detail removed, citing a desire for more privacy; his protection was later restored that month.

November 2017: Correspondence with WikiLeaks Revealed

In November 2017, news broke that Julian Assange had used the WikiLeaks Twitter account to correspond with Donald Trump Jr. during the 2016 presidential election.

2017: Father's Description

In 2017, Donald Trump described Donald Trump Jr. as "not the sharpest knife in the drawer".

2017: Prairie Dog Hunt on Earth Day

On Earth Day in 2017, Donald Trump Jr. legally hunted prairie dogs in Montana with GOP Congressional candidate Greg Gianforte.

March 15, 2018: Separation from Vanessa Haydon

On March 15, 2018, it was announced that Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Haydon had separated, and Haydon had filed for uncontested divorce in Manhattan Supreme Court.

2018: Active Campaigning for Republican Candidates

During the 2018 midterm elections, Donald Trump Jr. actively campaigned for Republican candidates, raising millions of dollars and drawing large crowds to campaign events.

2018: Campaigning for Republicans

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

2018: Began Dating Kimberly Guilfoyle

In 2018, Donald Trump Jr. started dating Kimberly Guilfoyle, who had been friends with the Trump family for years.

February 22, 2019: Divorce Settlement Announced

On February 22, 2019, Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Haydon announced that they had settled their divorce at the end of 2018.

December 11, 2019: Hunting Permit Controversy Revealed

On December 11, 2019, ProPublica revealed that the government of Mongolia retroactively granted Donald Trump Jr. a hunting permit for the endangered Argali mountain sheep. The sheep hunt and travel to Ulaanbaatar for a private meeting with Mongolian president Khaltmaagiin Battulga cost U.S. taxpayers $76,859.36 for United States Secret Service protection.

2019: Description by Father

In 2019, Donald Trump described Donald Trump Jr. as "not the sharpest knife in the drawer".

2019: Hunting Trophies Reposted Again

In 2019, Mia Farrow again reposted photos of Donald Trump Jr.'s hunting trophies, continuing the controversy.

February 2020: Hunting Trip in Alaska

In February 2020, Donald Trump Jr. agreed to go on a hunting trip in Alaska with the winner of a fundraising auction for the Safari Club International.

October 2020: Speculation for 2024 Presidential Run

Before the 2020 election, Donald Trump Jr. was the subject of speculation for a 2024 run for president. In October 2020, he posted a photo of a "Don Jr. 2024" flag.

October 2020: Pennsylvania Senate Seat Speculation and Rally

In October 2020, there was speculation about Donald Trump Jr. running for a vacant Senate seat in Pennsylvania. He also held a crowded indoor rally where attendees did not wear masks.

2020: Active in 2020 Presidential Campaign

During the 2020 presidential campaign, Donald Trump Jr. was very active, making unfounded claims. He called for "total war" as results were counted and promoted stolen election conspiracy theories.

December 31, 2020: Reportedly Became Engaged to Kimberly Guilfoyle

On December 31, 2020, Donald Trump Jr. reportedly became engaged to Kimberly Guilfoyle on his 43rd birthday.

December 2021: Switched Residency to Florida

In December 2021, Donald Trump Jr. switched his official residency from New York to Florida.

January 2022: Engagement News Made Public

In January 2022, news of Donald Trump Jr.'s engagement to Kimberly Guilfoyle, which reportedly happened in December 2020, was made public.

2022: Pennsylvania Senate Seat Speculation

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

May 28, 2024: Email Shown in Trump Sr.'s Trial

On May 28, 2024, an email was shown during defense closing arguments in Trump Sr.'s New York criminal trial revealing that Jeffrey McConnery sought approval from Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump for reimbursement payments to Michael Cohen. Donald Trump Jr. signed some of the reimbursement checks to Cohen.

2024: Speculation for 2024 Presidential Run

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

2024: Engagement to Guilfoyle Ended

In 2024, Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle mutually ended their engagement.

2024: Kai Trump spoke at the Republican National Convention

In 2024, Kai Trump was introduced by her father and spoke at the Republican National Convention on July 17.

2024: Introduction of JD Vance at Republican National Convention

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