Arshad Mahmood Awan

Donald Trump was born on June 14, 1946, in the borough of Queens in New York City. He spent most of his life in New York and in the fall of 2020, he officially changed his residency to Florida. Trump was the fourth of five children born to Mary Anne MacLeod Trump and Fred Trump, a successful real estate developer. Growing up, Donald Trump eventually took over his father’s real estate business and expanded it into various ventures such as hotels, casinos, golf courses, beauty pageants, and branded products around the world.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Trump gained international recognition for his successful business ventures and the ‘Trump’ brand. He authored several how-to books and later became the star of the reality TV show ‘The Apprentice,’ where he portrayed himself as a highly successful and wealthy businessperson. Despite facing financial challenges and a series of bankruptcies within some of his traditional businesses, Trump effectively maintained a strong association between the ‘Trump’ brand name and business success.

Donald Trump’s entry into politics was a significant shift, having never served in public office or military leadership before becoming the 45th President of the United States. He secured victory in the 2016 presidential election, defeating his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, in the Electoral College despite losing the popular vote. His presidency was marked by intense controversy, investigations, and partisan division, with his supporters and critics frequently using the word ‘unprecedented’ to describe his time in office.

One significant aspect of Trump’s presidency was his impeachment. He became the first U.S. president to be impeached twice. The first impeachment, in December 2019, was on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress due to his actions involving Ukraine. The second impeachment, in January 2021, was related to his refusal to concede the 2020 presidential election and his efforts to undermine the certification of the votes, culminating in the violent storming of the U.S. Capitol by his supporters.

In addition to his impeachment trials, Trump faced legal challenges, including being convicted of a felony. In May 2024, a New York City jury found him guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, stemming from a case involving hush money paid to a porn star to silence her about an alleged sexual liaison with Trump in 2006.

Throughout his personal life, Trump was married three times and had five children. His third wife, Melania Trump, served as the First Lady during his presidency, while his daughter, Ivanka Trump, and her husband, Jared Kushner, became senior White House advisors. Despite the controversies and challenges, Donald Trump’s personal life remained a significant part of his public image, making him a polarizing figure throughout his time in office.

Political Career:

Donald Trump’s election on November 8, 2016, came as a surprise upset victory. His inauguration as the 45th President of the United States on January 20, 2017, marked the beginning of a presidency defined by scandal, investigation, and intense partisan division, often described by both supporters and critics as “unprecedented.” Notably, at the age of 70, Trump became the oldest person to assume the presidency, breaking the record previously held by Ronald Reagan. This was significant as it highlighted the trend of older candidates running for the highest office in the country. Furthermore, he was the first president with no prior experience in public office or military leadership. In the 2016 election, he secured victory in the Electoral College but lost the popular vote, making him the fifth person in history to do so.

Trump’s presidency was also marked by his unique distinction of being impeached twice. The first impeachment in December 2019 was on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, stemming from his actions involving Ukraine. He was later acquitted in the Senate.

The second impeachment in January 2021 was due to his refusal to concede the 2020 presidential election and his efforts to undermine the certification of the votes, which culminated in the violent storming of the U.S. Capitol by his supporters. Trump also faced legal challenges and was convicted of a felony in May 2024, found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records in a case involving hush money paid to a porn star. Moreover, Trump’s personal life was marked by three marriages and five children, with his third wife Melania serving as the First Lady and his daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner as senior White House advisors. Throughout his presidency, Donald Trump remained a polarizing figure despite the controversies and challenges he faced.

In 2024, former President Donald Trump announced his bid for re-election, aiming to secure a second term in office. His campaign emphasized a continuation of his previous policies and highlighted his achievements during his first term as President. Trump’s re-election campaign focused on rallying his base of supporters and portraying himself as a strong leader capable of tackling the country’s challenges.

Trump’s campaign highlighted key issues such as immigration reform, national security, economic growth, and America’s standing in global affairs. He continued to advocate for stricter border control and emphasized his commitment to job creation and economic prosperity. Additionally, Trump positioned himself as a staunch defender of conservative values and policies, aiming to mobilize support from Republican voters.

The 2024 presidential election campaign was marked by intense media coverage and public scrutiny, with Trump’s candidacy drawing both fervent supporters and vocal critics. His re-election bid sparked debate and discussion about the direction of the country, with his opponents emphasizing the need for change and a shift in leadership.

Ultimately, the 2024 election campaign was characterized by the return of familiar themes and controversies from Trump’s previous presidential campaigns, as well as a strong focus on addressing the evolving issues and concerns facing the nation.

Then, former US President Donald Trump narrowly avoided an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Shots were fired, striking Trump in the ear and causing chaos among rally attendees. The shooter, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, and a rally attendee were killed, while two others were injured.

The incident, classified as an assassination attempt, prompted swift responses from political figures. President Joe Biden reached out to Trump after the attack. Trump, 78, shared details of the attack on his Truth Social platform, stating, “I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. Much bleeding took place.”

The motive behind the attack remained unclear, and both Republicans and Democrats condemned the violence. The shooting, occurring just months before the presidential election, raised concerns over security at campaign events, especially as initial reports indicated that the assailant may have been situated outside the secured perimeter.

After the incident, questions arose about security protocols surrounding Trump’s campaign events and how the apparent security lapses allowed the attack to occur. As a former president and the Republican presidential candidate, Trump is primarily safeguarded by the Secret Service. However, the details of how the shooter managed to breach the security perimeter are yet to be fully understood.

The attack sparked political tensions, with some Republicans attributing blame to Biden, while right-wing conspiracy theories flooded social media. Despite the harrowing experience, Trump remained resolute, intending to attend the Republican National Convention following a precautionary hospital checkup. The incident underscores the heightened political tensions in the US and emphasizes the critical need for robust security measures surrounding political events.