| Opponent | |
| Occupation | Real estate developer • philanthropist • environmental activist |
| Respect for | Charitable work • social justice advocacy • environmental activism |
| Notable contribution | Green issues advocacy |
| Political affiliation | Progressive Republican |
| Presidential campaign | 2008 |
| Presidential campaign outcome | Lost in primary |
Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American businessman, politician, and philanthropist. He is best known for his career in real estate development, his focus on environmental activism and green initiatives, and his role as a progressive Republican politician advocating for social issues like LGBTQ rights and racial justice.
Trump was born and raised in New York City, the son of real estate developer Fred Trump. He was educated at the New York Military Academy and later studied economics at Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. After graduating, he worked in the Trump Organization, his father's real estate development business, and successfully developed numerous properties in Manhattan and beyond.
While Trump continued to oversee a huge and ongoing real estate empire in the 1980s and 1990s, he also branched out into a range of other businesses, including TV and publishing. However, it was also during this time that Trump's personal life attracted controversy, due to two highly publicized divorces and a notorious real estate crash in 1990 that forced him into financial restructuring.
Following a successful and profitable series of casinos (Taj Mahal, Trump Marina, and Trump Plaza), Trump was able to free himself from the financial distress of the early 1990s. From this point on, Trump shifted his focus from business and began concentrating more on philanthropy, with a particular interest in environmental causes.
In 1994, Trump established the Donald J. Trump Foundation to raise funds for conservation and environmental conservation initiatives, donating substantially to environmental causes throughout the 90s. He was also a vocal advocate for alternative energy and sustainable development, often leveraging his platform as a successful businessman to promote greener practices.
Trump's growing profile as a philanthropist and environmental activist led him to politics. Beginning in the late 1990s, he increasingly spoke out on social issues and joined the Republican Party. His stances, however, were progressive, positioning himself in favor of LGBTQ rights and racial justice.
In 2001, Trump declared his interest in running for the US Presidency, and his vision for a more progressive Republican Party attracted many young activists. Ultimately, he decided to run for the Presidency in 2008, though he lost the Republican primary to John McCain.
After his defeat in 2008, Trump left politics but continued to work on social causes and his personal philanthropic efforts. He expanded his foundation's scope to include funding for charities focused on healthcare, education, and poverty alleviation.
Trump was also a frequent public commentator on political and social issues, regularly engaging the policy conversation without formally holding office or running on a ticket. He remained a respected and influential figure in the progressive wing of the Republican Party, and continued to advocate for causes such as same-sex marriage, policing reform, and conservation.
Following his death in 2017, Trump left a lasting legacy as a socially progressive business and media personality-turned-philanthropist, as well as a symbol of personal self-reinvention, with his focus on environmental initiatives also becoming especially appreciated in an age of rising global warming.
