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, he is also the 47th President of the United States.

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 his father's real estate company, Trump Management.

1970: Co-producing Broadway Comedy

In 1970, Donald Trump invested $70,000 to receive billing as coproducer of a Broadway comedy.

1971: President of Trump Organization

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

1971: Becomes President of Trump Management

In 1971, Donald Trump's father made him president of the company, and he began using the Trump Organization as an umbrella brand.

1978: Commodore Hotel Renovation

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

1980: Grand Hyatt Hotel Opens

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

September 1983: Purchases New Jersey Generals

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

1984: Opens 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: Start of Film and Television Cameos

From 1985 to 2001, Donald Trump had cameos in many films and television shows.

1985: Acquires Mar-a-Lago Estate

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

1985: Buys Atlantic City Hilton Hotel

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

May 1986: Takes 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: Purchases Significant Blocks of Shares

From 1986, Donald Trump purchased significant blocks of shares in various public companies while suggesting that he intended to take over the company and then sold his shares for a profit, leading some observers to think he was engaged in greenmail.

1987: Trump Expresses Views 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's first book, "The Art of the Deal" by Donald Trump and Tony Schwartz, was published and became a New York Times Best Seller, making him famous.

Trump: The Art of the Deal

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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 Seeks to Be Considered as Vice Presidential Nominee

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

1988: Buys Trump Taj Mahal

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

1988: Purchases Eastern Air Lines Shuttle

In 1988, Donald Trump purchased the Eastern Air Lines Shuttle, financing the purchase with $380 million in loans.

1988: Establishment of The Donald J. Trump Foundation

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

1988: Purchases Significant Blocks of Shares

Until 1988, Donald Trump purchased significant blocks of shares in various public companies while suggesting that he intended to take over the company and then sold his shares for a profit, leading some observers to think he was engaged in greenmail.

1989: Membership to SAG-AFTRA

Donald Trump was a member of SAG-AFTRA since 1989.

1989: Lends Name to Tour de Trump

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: Lends Name to Tour de Trump

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

1990: Trump Declares Negative Net Worth

In 1990, Donald Trump self-reported his net worth at a low of minus $900 million.

1991: First Bankruptcy Filing for Trump's Businesses

In 1991, Donald Trump's over-leveraged hotel and casino businesses in Atlantic City and New York filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the first time.

1992: End of Trump Shuttle Operation

In 1992, Trump Shuttle ceased operation.

1994: Sells Interest in Riverside South

In 1994, struggling with debt, Donald Trump sold most of his interest in the Riverside South project to Asian investors.

1995: Converts Mar-a-Lago into a Private Club

In 1995, Donald Trump converted the Mar-a-Lago estate into a private club with an initiation fee and annual dues, while still using a wing as a private residence.

1995: Founds Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts

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

1996: Acquires 40 Wall Street

In 1996, Donald Trump acquired and renovated the skyscraper at 40 Wall Street, later rebranded as the Trump Building.

1996: Purchases 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: Begins Building and Buying Golf Courses

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

February 2000: Trump Withdraws from Reform Party Primaries

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

2001: End of Film and Television Cameos

From 1985 to 2001, Donald Trump had cameos in many films and television shows.

2002: Moves Pageants to NBC

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

2004: Start of Trumped! Radio Program

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

2004: Host of The Apprentice

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

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2005: Cofounding of Trump University

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

2006: Trump's donations to his foundation spent

Between 1987 and 2006, Donald Trump gave his foundation $5.4 million which had been spent by the end of 2006.

2007: Trump donated $65,000 to his foundation

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

2008: End of Trumped! Radio Program

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

2008: Opening of Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago

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

2009: Resigns as Chairman of THCR

In 2009, Donald Trump resigned as chairman of Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts (THCR).

2009: Sixth Bankruptcy Filing for Trump's Businesses

In 2009, Donald Trump's over-leveraged hotel and casino businesses in Atlantic City and New York filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the sixth time.

2009: Trump Joins Twitter

Trump joined Twitter in 2009, marking the beginning of his significant social media presence.

2010: Trump University Renamed

In 2010, after being notified by New York State authorities that the use of "university" violated state law, Trump University changed its name to the Trump Entrepreneur Initiative.

May 2011: Trump Announces He Will Not Run for President in 2012

In May 2011, Donald Trump announced that he would not challenge President Barack Obama in the 2012 election after considering it and speaking at political conferences.

2011: Start as Fox & Friends Guest Commentator

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

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2012: Trump considers challenging President Barack Obama

In 2012, Donald Trump considered challenging President Barack Obama in the election. He spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference in February and gave speeches in states with early primaries.

2014: Trump promises to release tax returns

In 2014, Donald Trump promised to release tax returns if he ran for office.

June 2015: Trump Announces Candidacy for 2016 Election

In June 2015, Donald Trump announced his candidacy for the 2016 election.

2015: End of The Apprentice Hosting

From 2004 to 2015, Donald Trump hosted The Apprentice, earning him more than $400 million with related licensing agreements.

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2015: End as Fox & Friends Guest Commentator

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

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2015: Trump promises to release tax returns

In 2015, Donald Trump promised to release tax returns if he ran for office.

2015: Trump Claims Net Worth of $10 Billion

In 2015, Donald Trump self-reported his net worth at a high of $10 billion.

2015: Hosting of The Apprentice ends

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

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March 2016: Trump Becomes Republican Front-Runner

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

July 2016: FBI launched Crossfire Hurricane

In July 2016, the FBI launched Crossfire Hurricane, an investigation into possible links between Russia and Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.

October 2016: Trump Participates in Presidential Debates

In October 2016, Donald Trump participated in three presidential debates with Hillary Clinton. He twice refused to say whether he would accept the result of the election.

November 8, 2016: Trump Elected President

On November 8, 2016, Donald Trump was elected president, receiving 306 pledged electoral votes versus 232 for Hillary Clinton, ultimately resulting in an official count of 304 to 227 after elector defections. He lost the popular vote by nearly 2.9 million votes.

2016: Emergence of Trumpism

Beginning with his 2016 campaign, Trump's politics and rhetoric led to the creation of a political movement known as Trumpism, characterized by right-wing populism.

2016: Ownership of 17 Golf Courses

By 2016, Donald Trump owned 17 golf courses.

2016: Benefit from free media coverage

During the 2016 campaign, Trump benefited from a record amount of free media coverage.

2016: Trump pledged that Roe v. Wade would be overturned

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

2016: Trump promised to protect Medicare funding

During the 2016 campaign, Trump promised to protect funding for Medicare and other social safety-net programs.

2016: Wins Presidential Election

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

2016: Trump's 2016 Campaign Platform

In 2016, during his campaign, Donald Trump described NATO as "obsolete" and espoused noninterventionist and protectionist views. His platform emphasized renegotiating U.S.–China relations and free trade agreements, enforcing immigration laws, pursuing energy independence, and other policies.

2016: Settlement of Trump University Lawsuits

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

2016: Use of Twitter during 2016 campaign

Trump posted frequently on Twitter during his 2016 campaign.

January 2017: Intelligence agencies reported Russian interference

In January 2017, three U.S. intelligence agencies jointly stated with "high confidence" that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election to favor Trump.

January 20, 2017: Trump Inaugurated as President

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

May 2017: FBI opened second investigation after Comey firing

In May 2017, after Trump fired Comey, the FBI opened a second investigation into Trump's personal and business dealings with Russia.

December 2017: Signing of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017

In December 2017, Donald Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, reducing tax rates for businesses and individuals.

2017: Donald Trump Becomes 45th President

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

2017: Tweets as official presidential statements

In 2017, Trump's press secretary said that his tweets constituted official presidential statements.

2017: Trump filed for reelection

In 2017, only a few hours after becoming president, Trump filed to run for reelection. He held his first reelection 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, meeting Kim Jong Un in Singapore.

2018: Limited Consumer Goods Licensing

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

2018: Trump signed legislation in response to opioid epidemic

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

February 2019: Second meeting with Kim Jong Un

In February 2019, Trump met Kim Jong Un for the second time, in Hanoi.

March 2019: Mueller submitted final report

In March 2019, Robert Mueller submitted his final report, finding that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to favor Trump, and that Trump's campaign welcomed the effort, but the evidence did not establish a conspiracy.

June 2019: Third meeting with Kim Jong Un

In June 2019, Trump met Kim Jong Un for the third time, in the Korean Demilitarized Zone.

August 2020: Trump became the Republican nominee

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

November 2020: Biden won the election

In November 2020, Joe Biden won the election, receiving 81.3 million votes to Trump's 74.2 million, and 306 electoral votes to Trump's 232. Trump alleged election fraud.

February 2021: Trump registered Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG)

In February 2021, Trump registered a new company, Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), for providing "social networking services" to U.S. customers.

2021: Global backlash against incumbent parties, in part due to the 2021 inflation surge.

His victory in 2024 was part of a global backlash against incumbent parties, in part due to the 2021–2023 inflation surge.

2021: End of Presidential Term

In 2021, Donald Trump's term as the 45th president of the United States came to an end.

2021: Resignation and Barring 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: TMTG launched Truth Social

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

November 2022: Reinstatement of Twitter account

In November 2022, Elon Musk reinstated Trump's Twitter account after acquiring Twitter.

November 2022: Trump announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election

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

January 2023: Return to Facebook and Instagram

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

2023: Global backlash against incumbent parties, in part due to the 2023 inflation surge.

His victory in 2024 was part of a global backlash against incumbent parties, in part due to the 2021–2023 inflation surge.

March 2024: TMTG became a public company

In March 2024, Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) merged with Digital World Acquisition and became a public company.

March 2024: Supreme Court restored Trump's name to the ballot

In March 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court restored Trump's name to the ballot in a unanimous decision, ruling that Colorado lacks the authority to enforce Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.

November 2024: Trump won the election

In November 2024, Trump won the election with 312 electoral votes to incumbent vice president Kamala Harris's 226, making him the second president in U.S. history after Grover Cleveland to be elected to a nonconsecutive second term.

2024: Forbes Estimate of Trump's Net Worth

In 2024, Forbes estimated Donald Trump's net worth at $2.3 billion and ranked him the 1,438th wealthiest person in the world.

January 20, 2025: Trump began his second term

On January 20, 2025, Trump began his second term upon his inauguration, becoming the oldest individual to assume the presidency and the first president with a felony conviction.

January 29, 2025: Signing of the Laken Riley Act

On January 29, 2025, Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law.

February 3, 2025: Elon Musk as special government employee

On February 3, 2025, the White House announced that Elon Musk was a special government employee and that Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was granted access to many federal government agencies.

2025: Executive actions mirroring Project 2025

In 2025, Time Magazine reported that nearly two-thirds of Trump's executive actions "mirror or partially mirror" proposals from Project 2025 within the first few days of his second term.