Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Donald Trump
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Donald Trump made an impact.
Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman. He served as the 45th U.S. President from 2017 to 2021. A member of the Republican Party, Trump is also known for his real estate development and branding ventures. He is a controversial figure known for his populist rhetoric, policies, and frequent use of social media.
1968: Employed at Trump Management
In 1968, Donald Trump started working at his father's real estate company, Trump Management.
1970: Coproducer of Broadway Comedy
In 1970, Donald Trump invested $70,000 to receive billing as coproducer of a Broadway comedy.
1971: President of Trump Management
In 1971, Donald Trump became the president of Trump Management.
1971: President of Family's Real Estate Business
In 1971, Donald Trump became the president of his family's real estate business, later renaming it the Trump Organization.
1980: Grand Hyatt Hotel Reopening and Trump Tower Development
In 1980, the Commodore Hotel reopened as the Grand Hyatt Hotel, and Donald Trump obtained rights to develop Trump Tower.
September 1983: Purchase of New Jersey Generals
In September 1983, Donald Trump purchased the New Jersey Generals, a team in the United States Football League.
1984: Opening of Harrah's at Trump Plaza
In 1984, Trump opened Harrah's at Trump Plaza, a hotel and casino, with the help of the Holiday Corporation.
1985: Acquisition of Mar-a-Lago Estate
In 1985, Donald Trump acquired the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.
1985: Purchase of Atlantic City Hilton Hotel
In 1985, Donald Trump bought the unopened Atlantic City Hilton Hotel and renamed it Trump Castle.
May 1986: Sole Control of Trump Plaza
In May 1986, Donald Trump paid Holiday Corporation $70 million to take sole control of Harrah's at Trump Plaza.
1986: Purchased significant blocks of shares
From 1986, Donald Trump purchased significant blocks of shares in various public companies.
1988: Purchase of Trump Taj Mahal
In 1988, Donald Trump acquired a third Atlantic City venue, the Trump Taj Mahal.
1988: Acquisition of the Plaza Hotel
In 1988, Donald Trump acquired the Plaza Hotel with a loan from a consortium of banks.
1988: Purchase of Eastern Air Lines Shuttle
In 1988, Donald Trump purchased the Eastern Air Lines Shuttle and renamed the airline Trump Shuttle.
1988: Purchased significant blocks of shares
Until 1988, Donald Trump purchased significant blocks of shares in various public companies.
1989: Tour de Trump Cycling Stage Race
In 1989, Donald Trump lent his name to the Tour de Trump cycling stage race.
April 1990: Opening of Trump Taj Mahal
In April 1990, the Trump Taj Mahal opened, financed with $675 million in junk bonds and completed for $1.1 billion.
1990: Tour de Trump Cycling Stage Race
In 1990, Donald Trump lent his name to the Tour de Trump cycling stage race.
1995: Conversion of Mar-a-Lago into a Private Club
In 1995, Donald Trump converted the Mar-a-Lago estate into a private club.
1995: Founding of Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts
In 1995, Donald Trump founded Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts (THCR), which assumed ownership of the Trump Plaza.
1996: Acquisition of 40 Wall Street
In 1996, Donald Trump acquired and renovated the skyscraper at 40 Wall Street, later rebranded as the Trump Building.
1996: Purchase of Miss Universe Pageants
In 1996, Donald Trump purchased the Miss Universe pageants, including Miss USA and Miss Teen USA.
1996: THCR Purchase of Taj Mahal and Trump Castle
In 1996, THCR purchased the Taj Mahal and the Trump Castle.
1999: Started Building and Buying Golf Courses
In 1999, Donald Trump began building and buying golf courses.
2002: Pageants moved to NBC
In 2002, Donald Trump took the Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants to NBC.
2004: Hosting The Apprentice
In 2004, Donald Trump began hosting the reality television show "The Apprentice".
2005: Cofounding of Trump University
In 2005, Donald Trump cofounded Trump University, a company that sold real estate seminars.
2007: Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
In 2007, Donald Trump received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work as producer of Miss Universe.
2010: Name Change to Trump Entrepreneur Initiative
In 2010, Trump University was renamed the Trump Entrepreneur Initiative after being notified that the name was in violation of state law.
2015: End of Hosting The Apprentice
In 2015, Donald Trump stopped hosting the reality television show "The Apprentice".
2016: Owning 17 Golf Courses
By 2016, Donald Trump owned 17 golf courses.
2016: Won the 2016 presidential election
In 2016, Donald Trump won the presidential election against Hillary Clinton.
2017: 45th President of the United States
In 2017, Donald Trump began his term as the 45th President of the United States.
2017: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
In 2017, Donald Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
2017: Trump Files for Reelection
In 2017, only hours after becoming president, Trump filed to run for reelection.
June 2018: First meeting with Kim Jong Un in Singapore
In June 2018, Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to meet a North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, in Singapore. This historic meeting aimed to address North Korea's nuclear weapons program.
2018: Decline in Licensing Deals
By 2018, only two consumer goods companies continued to license Donald Trump's name.
February 2019: Second meeting with Kim Jong Un in Hanoi
In February 2019, Trump met with Kim Jong Un for a second time in Hanoi. The talks aimed to further negotiations on denuclearization but ultimately did not result in a comprehensive agreement.
June 2019: Third meeting with Kim Jong Un in Korean Demilitarized Zone
In June 2019, Trump met with Kim Jong Un for a third time in the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). This impromptu meeting continued diplomatic efforts, but no significant progress was made on denuclearization.
August 2020: Trump Becomes Republican Nominee
In August 2020, Trump officially became the Republican nominee for the presidential election.
February 2021: Trump Registers New Company
In February 2021, Trump registered Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG).
2021: End of Presidential Term
In 2021, Donald Trump's term as the 45th President of the United States concluded.
February 2022: TMTG Launches Truth Social
In February 2022, TMTG launched Truth Social, a social media platform.
November 2022: Trump Announces 2024 Candidacy
In November 2022, Trump announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election.
March 2024: TMTG Merges and Becomes Public
In March 2024, Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) merged with Digital World Acquisition and became a public company.
November 2024: Trump Wins 2024 Election
In November 2024, Trump won the election with 312 electoral votes to Kamala Harris's 226.
January 20, 2025: Trump Begins Second Term
On January 20, 2025, Trump began his second term, becoming the oldest individual to assume the presidency and the first president with a felony conviction.
