Donald Trump, 78 years old, is the oldest candidate to run for the presidency, being born on June 14, 1946. Family in Trump’s Political Leadership Journey
However, it’s important to note that Trump’s family has been crucial to his public persona and political journey. He has five children from three marriages; the first three, Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, and Eric Trump, have all been involved in his business affairs and campaign. Ivanka, who previously worked as a Governor of Florida before his presidency, served as a senior advisor alongside her husband Jared Kushner in helping Trump achieve political office. On the other hand, his other children, Tiffany and Barron Trump, prefer to stay out of the limelight and rarely accompany their father during family events and campaigns.
A Controversial Presidency
In the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump won the Republican candidacy and beat Democratic rival Hillary Clinton to become President-elect. Throughout his presidency, he implemented several controversial policies such as immigration reforms, changes to the tax system, and aggressive trade relations. Additionally, Trump’s presidency saw a significant transformation in the judiciary with the appointment of conservative justices to the Supreme Court.
Despite his achievements, Trump’s presidency was marred by controversy. He faced two impeachments, numerous scandals, and legal battles that followed him until he left office. These challenges have raised doubts about his ability to serve in a political capacity.
Financial Landscape
Trump boasts about $2 billion in assets, with over $2.5 billion tied to property and investments, mainly in diversified real estate. His portfolio includes projects like New York’s Trump Tower, as well as a range of golf courses and hotels. However, Trump, currently a businessman, faced criticism for his business dealings, particularly during his tenure as President of the United States, raising concerns about his character and integrity.
Post-Presidency Political Activity
In January 2021, Donald Trump left the White House but became involved in politics and often hinted at his bid for the presidency in 2024. He has complained about today’s presidency with Joe Biden as the president and firmly believes he can become the president again. He still enjoys supporters’ attendance at his rally (appendix A page 47), consolidating his position within the Republican Party and many GOP candidates in an effort to clinch his endorsement.
Still, Trump’s possible return to national politics remains a topic of public interest and demand and, at the same time, is full of challenges. There are a lot of controversies regarding his participation in the events that happened on January 6th when the Capitol was stormed; investigations related to his business are still in progress. Such problems preoccupy his political prospects but they do not appear to threaten his die-hard electorate base.
The Road Ahead
Trump’s eyeing yet another bid for the presidency means that people continue to chew on his legacy: personal and political. It cannot be put into question that he has immense power over the Republican Party, and the fact that he has not declared his intention to run for the presidency in the 2024 election is creating lots of controversies for both the Republicans and the Democrats.
Even if Trump chooses not to formally run in the Presidential race again, he has had an immeasurable influence on US politics. Discussions around his work, his politics, the controversies that entwine him will determine the political environment as the election cycle towards the 2024 election begins.