New York's best-known developer and reality television personality, 70-year-old Trump was often synonymous with controversy during his bitterly-fought presidential campaign against Democrat rival Hillary Clinton.
The real estate mogul turned to politics announcing his candidacy for president on the Republican ticket in 2015, joining a crowded field of more than a dozen major candidates.
Once considered a long shot, Trump won a majority of the primaries and caucuses by defeating sixteen well-known politicians of his party. Trump, 70, became the official Republican Party candidate for president on July 19, 2016.
Most prominent was a video that resurfaced after 5 years, in which Trump is heard boasting about being able to sexually assault women and get away with it for being "a star".
Trump had teased the idea of running for the presidency since 1987, but many feel the final straw for him was the 2011 White House Correspondents' dinner when he was made the unwitting target of President Barack Obama's pointed jokes.
The annual dinner happened just a couple of days before the US Navy Seals raid that killed al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in May 2011 in Pakistan. The killing of the man who masterminded the 9/11 terror attacks unified the nation and Trump faced a backlash for questioning the nationality of the President who took the world's most wanted man out.
Four years later, the tycoon entered the crowded field of the Republican Party's presidential campaign, but his candidature was instantly dismissed as a reality stunt by many, including his own party members as well as Obama.
Trump was also criticised by his party for insulting the parents of a decorated Muslim-American soldier who died in the line of duty in Iraq.
Such was his rhetoric in the campaign that top leaders of his own party, including House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senator Ted Cruz, did not endorse him till close to the end of the election cycle.
Trump's rhetoric, however, resonated with the American working class, who were fed up with the establishment and the Washington elite and were also angry at losing their jobs to immigrants or to companies shipping work abroad.
Trump made several controversial appointments including nomination of his son-in-law Jared Kushner as his senior advisor, a move that could be challenged under the 50-year-old anti-nepotism law.
The Trump team includes former CEO of energy giant ExxonMobil Rex Tillerson as secretary of state; retired Marine General and critic of the Obama administration James Mattis as Secretary of Defence; as well as Steve Bannon as Chief Strategist and Senior Adviser. Bannon is seen as an extremist with ties to white supremacist "alt-right" movement.
With millionaires and billionaires in the team, the Trump administration might be the wealthiest in modern US history.
Trump, who came to power focusing on 'Make America Great Again', promises to strengthen the American economy and build a wall on the border of Mexico to keep out illegal immigrants.
Trump, who calls himself a greatest jobs producer that God ever created, last week said he will announce "big news" over the next couple of weeks.
Trump responded angrily by dismissing the allegations as a "witch hunt" and likened it to as "living in Nazi Germany", inviting criticisms from the Jewish groups which slammed him and sought his apology for invoking Nazi Germany.
Trump was born in Queens, the fourth child of New York real estate tycoon Fred Trump. He attended the Wharton School and got into real estate with a "small" USD 1 million loan from his father before joining the company.
Considered a ruthless businessman, Trump transformed his family's business from residential units in Brooklyn and Queens to high-class Manhattan projects.
Today his signature towers are among the most expensive and sought-after addresses in New York City.
Behind this veneer of success, however, are a series of failed ventures -- Trump has filed for bankruptcies and has been accused of not paying his contractors and selling small businesses that work for him short.
He married thrice and is currently husband to Melania Trump. His children are Donald Trump Jr, Ivanka, Eric, Tiffany and Barron.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors


Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share


Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor


Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements


Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
