Trump’s been in the headlines since the late 70s, and regardless of how you feel about him, he led an extraordinary life. From losses, intriguing family ties, and political ambitions to some severe and highly unflattering allegations, Trump’s colorful life will leave you speechless.
Thousands of lawsuits
Trump and his business were involved in around 4000 lawsuits between the 70s and 2016. Among them are over 1800 filings related to casinos, over 200 contract disputes, and more. The 45th president was the plaintiff and defendant, and though the filings followed Trump all the time, there were increases in the 90s and 2010s.
Razzie winner
Before entering politics, Trump had his stunts in the entertainment industry. Trump won Worst Supporting Actor for his role in Ghost Can’t Do It, a 1989 movie. He appeared in Home Alone 2, but many years later, the director Chris Columbus accused, “He did bully his way into the movie.” Trump denied these accusations.
The richest president
Trump is, so far, the first president who came to the White House as a billionaire. In 2023, Forbes estimated Trump’s wealth at $2.6 billion, though other reports claim he surpassed $3 billion. Either way, he’s a multi-billionaire, which comes in handy when you have four indictments in four states, including RICO charges in Georgia and the case of alleged mishandling of classified documents.
Trump flirted with all political affiliations
Trump was a Democrat, a Republican, an Independent, and a member of the Reform Party. In 1987, many believed Trump was to run for Office, following a letter he wrote to the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Boston Globe. Regardless, “Trump: The Art of the Deal” hit the shelves that year and quickly became a hit.
No experience, no problems
Besides being the first billionaire, Trump was the first president without military or political experience. Trump received military draft deferments five times. While it could be argued he had health issues, it should be noted that during the Vietnam years, many young men tried to avoid serving in the military. He did go to Military school.
Naughty boy
Trump’s father sent him to New York New York Military School when he was 13. Trump never hid that he was a naughty child, but it also came with accusations of bullying. Trump biographer Marc Fisher, co-author of “Trump Revealed,” said, “Donald Trump yelled at his classmates,” adding, “He pushed them around. … He ruled dormitory life with an iron fist.”
German and Scottish immigrants
Trump’s father, Fred, was the son of German immigrants, while his mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, was a Scottish immigrant. Trump’s grandfather, Friedrich Trump, was a 16-year-old German barber when he bought a one-way ticket to the USA. Trump’s father, Fred, did not speak German.
Trump and Obama have something in common
Despite being opposites, both former presidents share international origins, which is unusual for American presidents. Among the past 10, only Trump and Obama had a parent born outside the US.
Bill, Hilary, and Donald
The Clintons and the Trumps were on friendly terms, and the two ex-presidents even golfed together for many years. In 2008, Trump praised the Clintons on NY1’s “Inside City Hall.” Trump said about Bill Clinton, “The economy was doing great. Look at what happened during the Clinton years. We had no war, the economy was doing great, and everybody was happy. A lot of people hated him because they were jealous as hell.” Trump said about Hillary Clinton: “I think she is going to go down at a minimum as a great senator.”
Trump wanted to be president in 2000
Before Apprentice and marriage to Melania Trump, the 45th president started a campaign for president. He withdrew in March 2000, ironically conceding to far-right candidate Pat Buchanan. Trump was seeking the nomination of the party created in 1992 and argued that Republican contenders were” a bunch of stiffs.” Trump’s political director in 2000 was Roger Stone. That name must ring a bell.
Trump, the billionaire
On January 23, 2006, Trump filed a $5 billion lawsuit against Timothy O’Brien, an author. The reason? In his 2005 book “TrumpNation: The Art of Being The Donald,” O’Brien wrote Trump was worth $150 million to $250 million. Trump said his worth was $5 billion and $6. The lawsuit was dismissed but not forgotten, especially in the wake of civil trial against the Trump Organization.
Speaking of millions and millions
Trump’s reality show, The Apprentice, was a big hit, earning him (allegedly) $200 million. The New York Times revealed that Trump gathered 230 million more due to fame from the show.
Trump’s grandfather died during the Spanish flu
The Trump who got to the States died when his son, Trump’s father, was 15. With his mother, Trump’s grandmother, Fred Trump continued the family business and became a millionaire.
Family ties
Trump’s family is related to the Heinz family. John G. Trump was Trump’s uncle, who worked for the FBI and was one of few allowed to examine Nikola Tesla’s work after his death.
The alleged assaults
In 1991, during a deposition, Trump’s first wife, Ivana, claimed that her soon-to-be ex-husband assaulted her. But, she backtracked, “That was all just the lawyers’ talk,” Ivana Trump said, adding she did not accuse him in “a literal or criminal sense.” However, Trump was found liable for assaulting E. Jean Carroll in the 90s.
Dubious behavior
Trump bought the Miss Universe pageant family in the 90s, and to this day, many stories about his alleged behavior are floating around. Trump bragged to Howard Stern about entering the dressing room while the women were changing, but there were more serious allegations. However, the Trump campaign denied them all, claiming, “Mr. Trump has a fantastic record of empowering women throughout his career.”
Grab them
Trump said about being a famous man: “I don’t even wait. And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. … Grab ’em by the pu..y.” The leaked Access Hollywood tape from 2005 was a big deal during Trump’s 2016 campaign. In another video, he defended his statement, “Historically, that’s true with stars.”
The property king
Trump owned over 14,000 apartments by the age of 27. The ex-president became involved with the family business in his 20s. Forbes awarded him 5/10 stars on the self-made scale, claiming he “inherited a small or medium-sized business and made it into a ten-digit fortune.”
Tragedies in the Trump family
Fred Trump Jr., Trump’s older brother, was in his 40s when he died, presumably due to alcohol abuse. Trump candidly spoke about his brother, telling The Post, “I do regret having put pressure on him.” He added, “I think the mistake that we made was we assumed that everybody would like it.”
That’s why Trump never drinks
Talking to The Post, Trump, known for refusing to indulge in alcohol, explained his stance on drinking, “I saw what alcohol did to him even physically …. and that had an impact on me, too.” Sadly, this is one of the things Biden and Trump experienced in their families since one of Biden’s uncles also suffered Freddy Trump’s faith. Hunter, Biden’s son, also struggled with addictions following his brother’s death from cancer.
Biden’s statement echoed Trump’s
It does not matter who said it first, but when Biden said, “There are enough alcoholics in my family,” it became clear that the two presidents share a tragic family history despite their successes.
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