Life timeline of Donald Trump
Selected moments from Donald Trump’s education, business career and political life, based on cited public sources. Coverage runs from 1959 to September 2026.
Education
1959 – 1964
Attended New York Military Academy
Donald Trump attended New York Military Academy, a private boarding school in Cornwall, New York, from 1959 to 1964.
1964 – 1966
Studied at Fordham University
Trump studied at Fordham University in New York City from 1964 to 1966 before transferring to the University of Pennsylvania.
1966 – 1968
Studied at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School
Trump attended the Wharton School from 1966 to 1968 and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics.
Career
1968 – 1971
Joined the family real estate business full time
After graduating in 1968, he returned to New York and joined his father Fred Trump’s real estate company full time.
Announced candidacy for President
On June 16, 2015, Donald Trump announced his candidacy for the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
Accepted Republican nomination for President
On July 21, 2016, Trump accepted the Republican presidential nomination in a speech at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio.
Elected 45th President of the United States
Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in the November 8, 2016 presidential election. He took office as the 45th U.S. president on January 20, 2017.
Signs first-term travel restriction executive order
On January 27, 2017, Trump signed Executive Order 13769, restricting entry by nationals of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen and suspending the refugee admissions program. The order prompted legal challenges and was later revised.
Nominates Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court
On January 31, 2017, Trump announced the nomination of federal appeals court judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court seat left vacant by Justice Antonin Scalia’s death.
Fires FBI Director James Comey
On May 9, 2017, Trump dismissed FBI Director James Comey. The dismissal raised concerns about the independence of the FBI and the investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Announces withdrawal from Paris climate agreement
On June 1, 2017, President Trump announced the United States would withdraw from the 2015 Paris climate accord.
Signs Tax Cuts and Jobs Act into law
On December 22, 2017, Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, a major revision of the federal tax code.
House announces impeachment inquiry
On September 24, 2019, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced an official impeachment inquiry into Trump’s conduct involving Ukraine.
Impeached by the House of Representatives
On December 18, 2019, the House impeached Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
Acquitted by the Senate
On February 5, 2020, the U.S. Senate voted largely along party lines to acquit President Trump of the impeachment charges.
Declared COVID-19 national emergency
On March 13, 2020, President Trump declared the COVID-19 outbreak a national emergency to free up government resources for the pandemic response.
Signs CARES Act (COVID relief package)
On March 27, 2020, Trump signed the CARES Act, a $2 trillion relief package responding to the COVID-19 economic crisis.
Administration gives notice of planned WHO withdrawal
On July 6, 2020, the Trump administration notified the United Nations of its planned withdrawal from the World Health Organization, to take effect on July 6, 2021 subject to withdrawal conditions. The UN publicly confirmed the notice on July 7. President Biden retracted the notice on January 20, 2021.
Found liable for sexual abuse and defamation (civil trial)
On May 9, 2023, a federal civil jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll and defaming her, awarding her $5 million in damages. This was a civil liability finding.
Convicted for falsifying business records (New York case)
On May 30, 2024, a Manhattan jury found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in a New York criminal prosecution. He became the first former U.S. president convicted of a felony.
Elected 47th President of the United States
Trump defeated Kamala Harris in the November 5, 2024 presidential election. He began his second term as the 47th U.S. president on January 20, 2025.
Signs 2025 tax-and-spending reconciliation law
On July 4, 2025, Trump signed H.R. 1 into law as Public Law 119-21. The tax-and-spending reconciliation legislation is commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Supreme Court denies reconsideration in Carroll case
On August 17, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court denied Trump’s request to reconsider its earlier refusal to hear his appeal of the $5 million civil judgment for sexual abuse and defamation in E. Jean Carroll’s case. This concerned the $5 million judgment, rather than the separate $83 million verdict.
Predicts a U.S.–Cuba agreement
On September 26, 2026, Trump told reporters at the White House that he expected the United States and Cuba to reach an agreement and did not think military action would be necessary. Reuters reported the remarks amid a U.S.-imposed oil blockade and fuel shortages in Cuba. The statement was a prediction, rather than an announcement of a completed agreement.
Other life moments
1971 – Jan 2017
Trump Organization business era
Trump took over the family real estate business in 1971. The company later became known as the Trump Organization. In January 2017, he transferred formal business leadership to his sons Donald Jr. and Eric while retaining ownership.