Trump's presidential run faces historical scrutiny and legal woes
Donald Trump, a billionaire and celebrity who has become a defining figure of his era, is once again running for the presidency. He positions himself as the candidate for the "forgotten people," aiming to reclaim the United States from what he describes as leftist elites. The election's outcome will determine how history will remember him.
Donald John Trump was born in 1946 in New York to a wealthy family of German descent. His father, Fred Trump, was a ruthless developer from Queens, and his mother, Mary Anne, was a Scottish immigrant who raised him with a focus on success. "If you want to know why the President is so fixated on winning, look to the man – his father, Fred Trump – who taught him that Trumps were supposed to win at everything. 'You are a killer, you are a king,'" states Trump's biographer, Michael D'Antonio.
In his youth, Trump dreamed of a career in baseball or film; however, his father enrolled him in a military high school where he learnt discipline. He studied economics at Fordham University and the prestigious University of Pennsylvania, falsely claiming he was the top student in his class. He avoided military service in Vietnam and was ultimately exempted due to alleged bone spurs.
After college, he joined the family real estate business, expanding its operations to Manhattan, dominated by the New York elite. He gained fame by building the Trump Tower and appearing in glossy magazines, but elites viewed him as nouveau riche. He navigated the worlds of business, show business, and politics with the help of his mentor, the infamous lawyer Roy Cohn, known for his unscrupulous tactics and mafia connections.
The 1980s and 1990s saw Trump venture into unsuccessful investments in the USFL football league, airlines, and casinos in Atlantic City, leading him to the brink of bankruptcy (he declared bankruptcy of his companies six times). His fortunes improved in the early 21st century with the reality show "The Apprentice," where he evaluated participants competing for a position in his company. After the Atlantic City setbacks, he focused on promoting his brand, earning primarily from licensing his name.
Donald Trump's political ambitions
Trump's political ambitions were hinted at as early as the 1980s, with him switching between parties and contemplating a run as an independent candidate. His plans to run in the 2000 and 2012 elections were not taken seriously, so he did not proceed.
This changed in 2015. His populist agenda, anti-immigration stance, and anti-establishment rhetoric, combined with his charismatic showmanship, struck a chord with the right. Trump dominated the Republican primaries and in 2016, despite accusations of sexual misconduct, defeated Hillary Clinton in the presidential election.
Trump's presidency, characterised by chaos and scandals, overturned many norms of American politics. Despite internal conflicts in the White House and unfulfilled campaign promises, a favourable economic climate buoyed him until the pandemic. Thanks to his charisma and loyal following, he consolidated the power of the Republican Party despite initial internal opposition and ostracism following the Capitol riots.
During his term, he withdrew the US from the Paris climate agreement and the Iran nuclear deal, reduced troop numbers in the Middle East, and renegotiated the NAFTA agreement (renamed USMCA). He waged trade wars with China and urged NATO countries, especially Germany, to increase defence spending. In Helsinki in 2018, he met with Vladimir Putin, suggesting he trusted the Russian leader more than U.S. intelligence services.
Donald Trump's legal troubles
Trump has frequently been at the centre of legal disputes and subject to prosecutorial investigations. According to former prosecutor Jim Zirin, he was involved in 3,500 lawsuits, including for not paying contractors and discrimination. His "university" was sued for fraud and had to pay $25 million, and a charity foundation was dissolved for using donations for political purposes.
After his presidency, Donald Trump faced criminal charges: attempts to hide payment for silence to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, illegal attempts to overturn election results, and illegal retention of classified documents. He was found guilty in the first case and is awaiting sentencing after the election in November. A judge appointed by Trump dismissed the document case, but the prosecution has appealed. The other two cases are ongoing.
Trump is the first candidate for president in history to be found guilty of a crime and the first to undergo impeachment twice – for attempting to coerce Ukraine into investigating Joe Biden and inciting the attack on the Capitol. So far, he has avoided the consequences of his actions and emerged unscathed from trouble.
The ongoing elections may determine whether he will avoid legal troubles. As president, he could direct the federal prosecutor to drop charges. Although this does not apply to state cases in New York and Georgia, he would be protected by immunity while in office as head of state.
