Early Life and Education of Donald Trump: A Complete Timeline

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

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

June 14, 1946: Donald Trump's birth

On June 14, 1946, Donald John Trump was born at Jamaica Hospital in Queens, New York City, to Fred Trump and Mary Anne MacLeod Trump.

1964: Enrolled at Fordham University

In 1964, Donald Trump enrolled at Fordham University.

May 1968: Graduation from Wharton School

In May 1968, Donald Trump graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in economics.

1968: Graduation from the University of Pennsylvania

In 1968, Donald Trump graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor's degree in economics.

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.

1970: Broadway Investment Loss

In 1970, Donald Trump invested $70,000 in a Broadway comedy and lost the money.

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.

1973: Countersuit against the U.S. government

In 1973, Roy Cohn helped Donald Trump countersue the U.S. government for $100 million over charges of discrimination at Trump's properties.

1977: Marriage to Ivana Zelníčková and Birth of Donald Jr.

In 1977, Trump married Ivana Zelníčková, and they had their first child, Donald Jr.

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.

1979: Introduced to Roger Stone

In 1979, Roy Cohn introduced Donald Trump to political consultant Roger Stone.

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.

1981: Birth of Ivanka Trump

In 1981, Trump and Ivana Zelníčková had their second child, Ivanka.

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.

1984: Birth of Eric Trump

In 1984, Trump and Ivana Zelníčková had their third child, Eric.

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.

1985: USFL Folded

In 1985, the United States Football League folded after Donald Trump's attempt to move to a fall schedule.

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 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: Bought Trump Taj Mahal

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

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: Divorce from Ivana Zelníčková

In 1990, Trump and Ivana Zelníčková divorced, following his affair with Marla Maples.

1991: Bankruptcy Protection Filing

In 1991, Donald Trump filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the Trump Taj Mahal.

1991: Trump Taj Mahal files for bankruptcy

In 1991, Trump Taj Mahal filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

1992: Formation of Shell Company

In 1992, Donald Trump formed a shell company with relatives to inflate rents and transfer assets from Fred Trump.

1992: Bankruptcy for Trump Plaza and Trump's Castle

In 1992, both Trump Plaza and Trump's Castle casinos filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

1992: Plaza Hotel Files for Bankruptcy

In 1992, the Plaza Hotel filed for bankruptcy protection, and a reorganization plan was approved with the banks taking control of the property.

1993: Marriage to Marla Maples and Birth of Tiffany Trump

In 1993, Trump married Marla Maples, and they had their daughter Tiffany.

1994: Formation of Shell Company

In 1994, Donald Trump formed a shell company with relatives to inflate rents and transfer assets from Fred Trump.

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

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

1995: Default on bank loans

In 1995, Donald Trump defaulted on over $3 billion of bank loans, and the lenders seized the Plaza Hotel and other properties.

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: 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.

1999: Divorce from Marla Maples

In 1999, Trump and Marla Maples divorced.

2001: Trump became a Democrat

In 2001, Donald Trump became a Democrat.

2004: Hosting The Apprentice

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

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2004: Bankruptcy for THCR

In 2004, Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts (THCR) went bankrupt.

2005: Marriage to Melania Knauss

In 2005, Trump married Slovenian model Melania Knauss.

2006: Birth of Barron Trump

In 2006, Trump and Melania Knauss had their son, Barron.

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: Trump became a Republican again

In 2009, Donald Trump became a Republican again.

2009: Bankruptcy Protection Filing

In 2009, Donald Trump filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts company.

2009: Bankruptcy for THCR

In 2009, Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts (THCR) went bankrupt, leaving Donald Trump with 10 percent ownership. He also remained chairman until 2009.

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.

2015: End of The Apprentice

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

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2015: Trump's Leadership Style

Since 2015, Donald Trump's leadership style and political agenda have reshaped the Republican Party's identity.

2016: Golf Course Ownership

By 2016, Donald Trump owned 17 golf courses.

2016: Won 2016 presidential election

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

2016: Declaration as Presbyterian and Protestant

In 2016, Trump called himself a Presbyterian and a Protestant.

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.

2018: Lawsuits

By 2018, Donald Trump had been involved in more than 4,000 lawsuits, liens, and other filings.

2018: Consumer Goods Licensing

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

2019: Primary Residence at Mar-a-Lago

In 2019, Donald Trump declared Mar-a-Lago club his primary residence.

2019: Impeachment

In 2019, Donald Trump was impeached for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress; he was later acquitted by the Senate.

2020: 2020 presidential election overturning attempts

In 2020, Donald Trump attempted to overturn the results of the presidential election.

2020: 2020 presidential election

In 2020, Donald Trump lost the presidential election to Joe Biden.

2020: Declaration as Nondenominational Christian

In 2020, Trump said he was a nondenominational Christian.

2020: COVID-19 Pandemic response

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Donald Trump downplayed its severity, contradicted health officials, and signed the CARES Act.

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: January 6 Capitol attack

In 2021, the January 6 Capitol attack happened after Donald Trump attempted to overturn the 2020 presidential election result.

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.

2023: Liable in Civil Cases

In 2023, Donald Trump was found liable in civil cases for sexual abuse and defamation and for business fraud.

July 13, 2024: Assassination attempt at rally

On July 13, 2024, Donald Trump was shot in the ear in an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler Township, Pennsylvania.

2024: $100 million in 1973 equivalent to $708 million in 2024

In 1973, Roy Cohn helped Trump countersue the U.S. government for $100 million, equivalent to $708 million in 2024.

2024: Guilty Verdict

In 2024, Donald Trump was found guilty in 34 counts of falsifying business records, making him the first U.S. president convicted of a felony. After winning the 2024 presidential election against Vice President Kamala Harris, he was sentenced to a discharge, and two federal felony indictments against him for retention of classified documents and obstruction of the 2020 election were dismissed without prejudice.

2024: Fred Trump paid his children each about $265,000 a year in 2024

In 2024, Fred Trump paid his children each about $20,000 a year, equivalent to $265,000 a year.

2024: IRS Investigation

In 2024, The New York Times and ProPublica reported that the Internal Revenue Service was investigating whether Donald Trump had twice written off losses incurred through construction cost overruns and lagging sales of residential units in the Trump International Hotel and Tower.

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.