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 and is currently running for president again in 2024. A Republican, Trump's presidency was marked by significant tax cuts, deregulation, and conservative judicial appointments. His policies and rhetoric on immigration, trade, and foreign policy were often controversial. Before entering politics, Trump built a real estate and branding empire. His career has been characterized by both successes and controversies, and he remains a prominent and polarizing figure in American public life.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1968: Employed at Trump Management

Starting in 1968, Donald Trump was employed at Trump Management, his father's real estate company.

1969: Trump registered as a Republican

In 1969, Donald Trump registered as a Republican in Queens.

1971: President of Trump Organization

In 1971, Donald Trump became the president of his family's real estate business, later renamed the Trump Organization.

1971: Moved to Manhattan and Became President

In 1971, Donald Trump moved to Manhattan and became president of Trump Organization.

1978: Renovation of Commodore Hotel

In 1978, Donald Trump gained public attention with the launch of his family's first Manhattan venture: the renovation of the derelict Commodore Hotel.

1980: Grand Hyatt Hotel and Trump Tower

In 1980, the Commodore Hotel reopened as the Grand Hyatt Hotel, and Donald Trump obtained rights to develop Trump Tower.

1983: Purchase of the New Jersey Generals

In 1983, Donald Trump purchased the New Jersey Generals, a team in the United States Football League.

1984: Opened Harrah's at Trump Plaza

In 1984, Donald Trump opened Harrah's at Trump Plaza, a hotel and casino, with financing and management help from the Holiday Corporation.

1985: Acquired Mar-a-Lago estate

In 1985, Donald Trump acquired the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.

1985: Bought Atlantic City Hilton Hotel

In 1985, Donald Trump bought the unopened Atlantic City Hilton Hotel and renamed it Trump's Castle.

May 1986: Sole control of Harrah's at Trump Plaza

In May 1986, Donald Trump paid Holiday Corporation $70 million to take sole control of Harrah's at Trump Plaza.

1986: Purchased Blocks of Shares

From 1986, Donald Trump purchased significant blocks of shares in various public companies, suggesting he intended to take over the company.

1987: Trump placed full-page advertisements on foreign policy

In 1987, Donald Trump placed full-page advertisements in major newspapers expressing his views on foreign policy and how to eliminate the federal budget deficit.

1987: Publication of "The Art of the Deal"

In 1987, Donald Trump published his first book, "The Art of the Deal", which became a New York Times Best Seller and was credited with making him famous as an "emblem of the successful tycoon".

Trump: The Art of the Deal

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1987: Trump registered as a Republican in Manhattan

In 1987, Donald Trump registered as a Republican in Manhattan.

1988: Acquisition of the Plaza Hotel

In 1988, Donald Trump acquired the Plaza Hotel with a loan from a consortium of 16 banks.

1988: Trump asked to be George H.W. Bush's running mate

In 1988, Donald Trump approached Lee Atwater, asking to be put into consideration to be Republican nominee George H. W. Bush's running mate. Bush found the request 'strange and unbelievable'.

1988: Bought Trump Taj Mahal

In 1988, Donald Trump bought a third Atlantic City venue, the Trump Taj Mahal.

1988: Trump Purchased Eastern Air Lines Shuttle

In 1988, Donald Trump purchased the Eastern Air Lines Shuttle for $380 million (equivalent to $1.01 billion in 2024), financing the purchase with loans from a syndicate of 22 banks. He renamed the airline Trump Shuttle.

1988: Establishment of the Donald J. Trump Foundation

In 1988, the Donald J. Trump Foundation was established as a private foundation.

1988: Purchased Blocks of Shares

Until 1988, Donald Trump purchased significant blocks of shares in various public companies, suggesting he intended to take over the company.

1989: Trump became a member of SAG-AFTRA

In 1989, Donald Trump became a member of SAG-AFTRA. He resigned from SAG-AFTRA in 2021.

1989: Tour de Trump

In 1989, Donald Trump lent his name to the Tour de Trump cycling stage race.

April 1990: Opened Trump Taj Mahal

In April 1990, the Trump Taj Mahal opened.

1990: Tour de Trump

In 1990, Donald Trump lent his name to the Tour de Trump cycling stage race.

1990: Net Worth Reported as Negative

In 1990, Trump self-reported his net worth as minus $900 million.

1991: Hotel and casino businesses filed for bankruptcy protection

Between 1991 and 2009, Donald Trump's over-leveraged hotel and casino businesses in Atlantic City and New York filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection six times.

1991: Trump Defaulted on Trump Shuttle Loans

In 1991, Donald Trump defaulted on his loans for the Trump Shuttle, leading to ownership passing to the banks.

1992: Trump Operated Trump Shuttle Until 1992

Donald Trump operated the Trump Shuttle until 1992, after purchasing it in 1988.

1995: Converted Mar-a-Lago to a private club

In 1995, Donald Trump converted the Mar-a-Lago estate into a private club.

1995: Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts (THCR) founded

In 1995, Donald Trump founded Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts (THCR), which assumed ownership of the Trump Plaza.

1996: Trump purchased the Miss Universe pageants

In 1996, Donald Trump purchased the Miss Universe pageants, including Miss USA and Miss Teen USA.

1996: THCR Purchases Taj Mahal and Trump Castle

In 1996, Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts (THCR) purchased the Taj Mahal and the Trump Castle.

1999: Trump became a member of the Independence Party

In 1999, Donald Trump became a member of the Independence Party, the New York state affiliate of the Reform Party.

1999: Building and Buying Golf Courses

In 1999, Donald Trump began building and buying golf courses.

February 2000: Trump withdrew from the Reform Party presidential primaries

In February 2000, Donald Trump withdrew from the 2000 Reform Party presidential primaries after being a candidate for three months.

2001: Trump became a Democrat

In 2001, Donald Trump became a Democrat.

2002: Trump took Miss Universe pageants to NBC

In 2002, due to disagreements with CBS about scheduling, Donald Trump took the Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants to NBC.

2004: Trump hosted talk radio program, Trumped!

From 2004 to 2008, Donald Trump had his own short-form talk radio program, Trumped!

2004: Hosting The Apprentice

In 2004, Donald Trump began hosting the reality television show "The Apprentice".

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2005: Trump cofounded Trump University

In 2005, Donald Trump cofounded Trump University, a company that sold real estate seminars for up to $35,000.

2007: Trump donated $65,000 to the Donald J. Trump Foundation

From 2007 to 2008, Donald Trump donated a total of $65,000 to his foundation.

2007: Trump received a star on the 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.

2007: Trump appeared at WrestleMania 23

In 2007, Donald Trump sporadically played himself as a super-rich boss at events staged by professional wrestling promotion WWE, including WrestleMania 23.

2008: Trump's talk radio program, Trumped!, ended

From 2004 to 2008, Donald Trump had his own short-form talk radio program, Trumped!

2008: Trump International Hotel and Tower

In 2008, Donald Trump's last major construction project, the 92-story Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago, opened.

2009: Hotel and casino businesses filed for bankruptcy protection

Between 1991 and 2009, Donald Trump's over-leveraged hotel and casino businesses in Atlantic City and New York filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection six times.

2009: Trump became a Republican again

In 2009, Donald Trump became a Republican again.

2010: Trump University changed its name

In 2010, after New York State authorities notified the company that its use of "university" violated state law because it was not an academic institution, Trump University's name was changed to the Trump Entrepreneur Initiative.

May 2011: Trump announced he would not run for president in 2012

In May 2011, Donald Trump announced that he would not run for president in the 2012 election, after considering challenging President Barack Obama.

2011: Trump began appearing on Fox & Friends

From 2011 until 2015, Donald Trump was a guest commentator on Fox & Friends.

2011: Trump became unaffiliated

In 2011, Donald Trump became unaffiliated.

2012: Trump became a Republican for the third time

In 2012, Donald Trump became a Republican for the third time.

June 2015: Trump announced his candidacy for the 2016 election

In June 2015, Donald Trump announced his candidacy for the 2016 election, campaigning as a rich, successful businessman and an outsider without political experience.

June 2015: NBC and Univision dropped Miss Universe pageants

In June 2015, NBC and Univision dropped the Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss Teen USA pageants in reaction to Donald Trump's comments about Mexican immigrants.

2015: Trump's time on Fox & Friends ended

From 2011 until 2015, Donald Trump was a guest commentator on Fox & Friends.

2015: End of The Apprentice

In 2015, Donald Trump stopped hosting the reality television show "The Apprentice".

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2015: Forbes Estimate of Net Worth

In 2015, Forbes estimated Trump's net worth at $4.5 billion.

2015: Trump stopped hosting The Apprentice

In 2015, Mark Burnett's reality show The Apprentice, which Donald Trump hosted from 2004 to 2015, ended.

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2015: Release of Letter from Harold Bornstein

In 2015, Trump's campaign released a letter from his physician, Harold Bornstein, stating that he would "be the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency".

March 2016: Trump became the Republican front-runner

In March 2016, Donald Trump became the Republican front-runner in the 2016 presidential election.

2016: Golf Course Ownership

By 2016, Donald Trump owned 17 golf courses.

2016: Pledge to Overturn Roe v. Wade

During the 2016 campaign, Trump pledged that Roe v. Wade would be overturned if he were elected and given the opportunity to appoint anti-abortion justices.

2016: Won 2016 presidential election

In 2016, Donald Trump won the presidential election against Hillary Clinton.

2016: Benefited from Free Media Coverage

In the 2016 campaign, Trump benefited from a record amount of free media coverage, estimated at $2 billion.

2016: Trump agreed to pay $25 million to settle Trump University cases

Shortly after he won the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump agreed to pay a total of $25 million to settle three cases related to Trump University.

January 20, 2017: Trump was inaugurated

On January 20, 2017, Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States.

December 2017: Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017

In December 2017, Donald Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which reduced tax rates for businesses and individuals and eliminated the penalty associated with the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate.

2017: Donald Trump became the 45th President of the United States

In 2017, Donald Trump assumed office as the 45th President of the United States.

2017: Trump Files for Reelection

In 2017, Trump filed to run for reelection shortly after becoming president, holding his first rally less than a month after taking office.

June 2018: First Meeting with Kim Jong Un

In June 2018, Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to meet a North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un.

2018: Consumer Goods Licensing

By 2018, only two consumer goods companies continued to license Donald Trump's name.

2018: Equivalent Value of Inheritance

In 2018 equivalent, Trump received $413 million, adjusted for inflation, from his father's company.

2018: Trump signed legislation to increase funding for drug treatments

In 2018, in response to the opioid epidemic, Donald Trump signed legislation to increase funding for drug treatments, but was widely criticized for failing to make a concrete strategy.

June 2019: Third Meeting with Kim Jong Un

In June 2019, Trump met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for the third time.

August 2020: Trump Becomes Republican Nominee

In August 2020, Trump officially became the Republican nominee for the presidential election.

2021: Donald Trump left office as the 45th President of the United States

In 2021, Donald Trump's term as the 45th President of the United States concluded.

2021: Trump resigned from SAG-AFTRA

In 2021, Donald Trump, who had been a member since 1989, resigned from SAG-AFTRA to avoid a disciplinary hearing regarding the January 6 attack; two days later, the union permanently barred him.

February 2022: Launch of Truth Social

In February 2022, Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) launched a pro-Trump social media platform called Truth Social.

November 2022: Trump announces 2024 presidential candidacy

In November 2022, Donald Trump announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election and created a fundraising account.

November 2022: Twitter Reinstates Trump's Account

In November 2022, Twitter reinstated Trump's account.

December 2022: House committee recommends criminal charges

In December 2022, the U.S. House committee on the January 6th attack recommended criminal charges against Donald Trump for obstructing an official proceeding, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and inciting or assisting an insurrection related to the 2020 election.

January 2023: Return to Facebook and Instagram

In January 2023, the two-year ban at Meta Platforms lapsed, allowing Trump to return to Facebook and Instagram.

March 2023: Campaign diverts donations to leadership PAC

In March 2023, Donald Trump's campaign began diverting ten percent of donations to his leadership PAC.

August 2023: Indictment in Fulton County, Georgia

In August 2023, a grand jury in Fulton County, Georgia, indicted Donald Trump on 13 charges, including racketeering, for his efforts to subvert the 2020 election in the state.

March 2024: Campaign legal bills

By March 2024, Donald Trump's campaign had paid $100 million towards his legal bills.

March 2024: TMTG Becomes a Public Company

In March 2024, Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), the parent company of Truth Social, became a public company.

November 2024: Trump wins 2024 election

In November 2024, Donald Trump won the election with 312 electoral votes and 49.8% of the popular vote.

January 20, 2025: Trump begins second term

On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump began his second term as president, becoming the oldest to assume the presidency, the first president with a felony conviction, and the second person to serve two nonconsecutive terms as president.

July 2025: One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed into law

In July 2025, Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law, making the tax cuts of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent and adding additional tax deductions.