Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American businessman, real estate developer, television and media personality, and Republican politician who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021 and is the 47th president, having taken office in 2025 following his election in the 2024 presidential race. He is a prominent far-right conservative figure and a central leader in Republican politics and modern conservatism, exerting significant influence over the GOP and the conservative base as the leader of the MAGA movement, with notable sway in evangelical circles.

Trump’s presidency and political career are marked by a populist conservative and nationalist agenda, epitomized by his "America First" foreign policy, which diverged from traditional neoconservative approaches and led to contentious global relationships. His administration prioritized immigration restriction and national security through policies such as advocating for a border wall, implementing a travel ban on several Muslim-majority countries, and maintaining a hardline stance against terrorism. His foreign policy included strong pro-Israel measures like moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, officially recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, brokering the Abraham Accords, aligning closely with Israeli leadership, and maintaining a pro-Saudi stance that involved arms deals and defending Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Domestically, Trump appointed conservative judges and loyalists, including Nikki Haley as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and Zalmay Khalilzad as Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation. He withdrew from the Paris Agreement on climate change, advanced school choice in education policy, and installed deregulatory figures in environmental agencies. His administration was notable for controversial uses of executive powers, including presidential pardons, and maintained a contentious relationship with the press. Trump also established the Department of Justice’s Religious Liberty Commission.

Before his presidency, Trump founded the Trump Organization and built an extensive business empire in real estate development. He gained fame as a reality television personality and maintained ties to sports, including a history with the NFL. During his 2016 presidential campaign, he garnered support from some Muslim reform advocates and public endorsements from friends, though he also faced criticism from others who later altered their stance.

Trump was socially associated with Jeffrey Epstein during the 1990s and early 2000s, though their relationship later soured; Epstein often boasted of his connections to Trump, who reportedly dined at Epstein’s Palm Beach residence. He was also acquainted with Ghislaine Maxwell, who sought clemency from his administration. He is a longtime ally and client of political consultant Roger Stone.

A central figure in multiple legal and political controversies, Trump is known for his anti-immigrant rhetoric, controversial positions on immigration and Islam, populist protectionist trade policies, and national security stances that contributed to intensified political polarization in the United States. He has faced numerous sexual misconduct allegations from multiple women. His campaigns received substantial funding from major Republican donors such as the Adelson family, with Miriam Adelson contributing $106 million to his 2024 re-election campaign. Trump enjoyed consistent favorable coverage from certain media outlets, including One America News Network (OAN), which was a primary media vehicle during his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. One of his largest donors successfully lobbied for the Jerusalem embassy relocation. He maintained longstanding personal friendships that supported him financially, including a $1 million donation to his 2017 inaugural committee.

Trump is the father of Donald Trump Jr., his eldest son, who serves as a real estate executive, prominent conservative media figure, executive vice president of the Trump Organization, and influential commentator and podcaster.

Critics such as Levitsky have described Trump’s administration and actions as authoritarian, warning about the collapse of democratic norms under his leadership. Journalist Bret Stephens has extensively covered Trump, including a 2022 Atlantic article examining potential legal consequences of Trump’s actions and a 2016 Slate article about Trump that was later debunked.