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{{short description|45th president of the United States}}
{{Other uses}}
{{pp-move-indef|small=yes}}
{{pp-vand|small=yes}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2020}}
<!-- See ], item 17. -->
{{Infobox officeholder
| image = Donald Trump official portrait.jpg<!-- DO NOT CHANGE the picture without prior consensus; see ], item 1. -->
| alt = Official White House portrait. Head shot of Trump smiling in front of the U.S. flag, wearing a dark blue suit jacket with American flag lapel pin, white shirt, and light blue necktie.
| caption =
| order = 45th<!-- DO NOT ADD A LINK. Please discuss any proposal on the talk page first. Most recent discussion at ] had a weak consensus to keep the status-quo of no link. -->
| office = President of the United States
| vicepresident = ]
| term_start = January 20, 2017
| term_end =
| predecessor = ]
| successor =
| birth_name = Donald John Trump
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1946|6|14}}
| birth_place = ], ]<!-- DO NOT CHANGE (or add to) this location without prior consensus; please see ], item 2. -->
| party = ] (1987–1999, 2009–present)
| otherparty = {{plainlist|
* ] (until 1987, 2001–2009)
* ] (1999–2001)
* ] (2011–2012)
}}
| spouse = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|]|April 7, 1977|March 22, 1992|end=divorced}}
* {{marriage|]|December 20, 1993|June 8, 1999|end=divorced}}
* {{marriage|]|January 22, 2005}}
}}
| children = {{flatlist|
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]<!-- DO NOT CHANGE this link without prior consensus; see ], item 10. -->
}}
| parents = ]<br />]
| relatives = ]
| awards = ]
| residence = {{plainlist|
* ] (official)
* ] (personal)
* ]
}}
| alma_mater = ] (] in ])<!-- DO NOT CHANGE this college or diploma without prior consensus, see ], item 18. -->
| net_worth = US$2.1 billion (April 2020)<!-- Updated annually per ], item 5. Otherwise, DO NOT CHANGE this value without prior consensus. -->{{efn|name=Wealth}}
| signature = Donald Trump Signature.svg
| signature_alt = Donald J Trump stylized autograph, in ink
| website = {{plainlist|
* {{URL|https://donaldjtrump.com|Official website}}
* {{URL|https://whitehouse.gov/administration/president-trump|White House website}}
}}
}}
{{Donald Trump series}}
<!-- NOTE: Changes to the lead are regularly discussed on the talk page. PLEASE DO NOT EDIT WAR. If you make a change that is reverted, please open a discussion or contribute to an existing one, per ]. Consensus items marked "DO NOT CHANGE" require prior discussion. -->

'''Donald John Trump''' (born June 14, 1946) is the ] and current ]. Before entering politics, he ] and ].<!-- DO NOT CHANGE the first paragraph without prior consensus; see ], item 17. -->

Trump was born and raised in ], a borough of New York City, and received a ] in economics from the ]. He took charge of his family's real-estate business in 1971, renamed it ], and expanded its operations from Queens and ] into ]. The company built or renovated skyscrapers, hotels, casinos, and golf courses. Trump later started ], mostly by licensing his name. He bought the ] brand of ]s in 1996, and sold it in 2015. He produced and hosted '']'', a ] series, from 2003 to 2015. {{As of|2020}}, '']'' estimated his net worth to be $2.1&nbsp;billion.{{efn|name=Wealth}}<!-- Updated annually per ], item 5. Otherwise, DO NOT CHANGE this value without prior consensus. -->

] have been described as ], ], and ]. He entered the ] as a ] and was elected in a surprise victory over ] nominee ], although he lost the popular vote.{{efn|name=electoral-college|Presidential elections in the United States are decided by the ], in which each state names a number of electors equal to its representation in ], and all delegates from each state usually vote for the winner of the local state vote (except for ]). Consequently, it is possible for the ] to have received fewer votes from the country's total population (the popular vote). This situation has occurred ].}} He became ] first-term U.S. president,{{efn|] was older upon his second-term inauguration.}} and the first without ]. His election and policies have sparked ].<!-- DO NOT CHANGE this sentence without prior consensus; see ], item 20. --> Trump has made ] during his campaign and presidency. The statements have been documented by ]s, and the media have widely described the phenomenon as unprecedented in American politics.<!-- DO NOT CHANGE this sentence without prior consensus; see ], item 35. --> Many of his ] have been characterized as racially charged or racist.<!-- DO NOT CHANGE this sentence without prior consensus, see ], item 30. -->

During ], Trump ] on citizens from several Muslim-majority countries, citing security concerns; after ], the Supreme Court upheld ].<!-- DO NOT CHANGE this sentence IN ANY WAY without prior consensus; see ], item 23. --> He enacted ] for individuals and businesses, rescinding the ] penalty. He appointed ] and ] to the ]. In foreign policy, Trump has pursued an ] agenda, withdrawing the U.S. from the ] trade negotiations, the ] on climate change, and the ]. He ] which triggered ], ], and ]. Trump met thrice with North Korea's leader ], but talks on ] broke down in 2019.

A ] led by ] found that Trump and ] welcomed and encouraged ] under the belief that it would be politically advantageous, but did not find sufficient evidence to press charges of ] or coordination with Russia.{{efn|name=coordination|"In connection with that analysis, we addressed the factual question whether members of the Trump Campaign 'coordinat'{{snd}}a term that appears in the appointment order{{snd}}with Russian election interference activities. Like collusion, 'coordination' does not have a settled definition in federal criminal law. We understood coordination to require an agreement{{snd}}tacit or express{{snd}}between the Trump Campaign and the Russian government on election interference. That requires more than the two parties taking actions that were informed by or responsive to the other's actions or interests. We applied the term coordination in that sense when stating in the report that the investigation did not establish that the Trump Campaign coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities." , vol. I, p. 2}} Mueller also investigated Trump for ], and ] neither indicted nor exonerated Trump on that offense. After Trump ], the House of Representatives ] in December 2019 for ] and ]. ] of both charges in February 2020.
{{TOC limit|3}}

== Personal life ==
=== Early life ===

]

Trump was born on June 14, 1946, at Jamaica Hospital in the borough of ], New York City.<ref name="Birth Certificate">{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/page?id=13248168 |title=Certificate of Birth |publisher=Department of Health – City of New York – Bureau of Records and Statistics |via=] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512232306/https://abcnews.go.com/US/page?id=13248168 |archivedate=May 12, 2016 |access-date=October 23, 2018}}</ref> His father was ], a Bronx-born real estate developer whose parents were German immigrants. His mother was Scottish-born housewife ]. Trump grew up in the ] neighborhood of Queens and attended the ] from kindergarten through seventh grade.{{sfn|Kranish|Fisher|2017|p=}}<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/23/us/politics/donald-trumps-old-queens-neighborhood-now-a-melting-pot-was-seen-as-a-cloister.html |title=Donald Trump's Old Queens Neighborhood Contrasts With the Diverse Area Around It |first=Jason |last=Horowitz |newspaper=] |date=September 22, 2015 |accessdate=November 7, 2018}}</ref> At age 13, he was enrolled in the ], a private boarding school.{{sfn|Kranish|Fisher|2017|p=}}
In 1964, he enrolled at ]. Two years later he transferred to the ] of the ].<ref name=bostonglobe-20150828>{{cite news |first=Matt |last=Viser |title=Even in college, Donald Trump was brash |newspaper=] |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2015/08/28/donald-trump-was-bombastic-even-wharton-business-school/3FO0j1uS5X6S8156yH3YhL/story.html |date=August 28, 2015 |accessdate=May 28, 2018}}</ref> While at Wharton, he worked at the family business, Elizabeth Trump & Son.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/09/03/if-donald-trump-followed-this-really-basic-advice-hed-be-a-lot-richer |title=The real reason Donald Trump is so rich |newspaper=] |date=September 3, 2015 |accessdate=January 17, 2016 |first=Max |last=Ehrenfreund |url-access=limited}}</ref> He graduated in May 1968 with a ] in economics.<ref name=bostonglobe-20150828 /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.archives.upenn.edu/primdocs/upg/upg7/upg7_1968.pdf |pages=19–21 |title=Two Hundred and Twelfth Commencement for the Conferring of Degrees |publisher=] |date=May 20, 1968 |archivedate=July 19, 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160719213709/https://www.archives.upenn.edu/primdocs/upg/upg7/upg7_1968.pdf}}</ref> Profiles of Trump published in ''The New York Times'' in 1973 and 1976 erroneously reported that he had graduated first in his class at Wharton, but he had never made the school's honor roll.<ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=May 20, 2018 |first=Avi |last=Selk |title=It's the 50th anniversary of the day Trump left college and (briefly) faced the draft |accessdate=March 3, 2019 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/retropolis/wp/2018/05/20/its-the-50th-anniversary-of-the-day-trump-left-college-and-nearly-had-to-go-to-war/}}</ref> In 2015, Trump's lawyer ] threatened Fordham University and the New York Military Academy with legal action if they released Trump's academic records.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ashford |first1=Grace |title=Michael Cohen Says Trump Told Him to Threaten Schools Not to Release Grades |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/27/us/politics/trump-school-grades.html |newspaper=] |accessdate=June 9, 2019 |date=February 27, 2019}}</ref>

==== Military deferment ====

While in college, Trump obtained four student ] deferments.<ref name="defer">{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-avoided-vietnam-with-deferments-records-show |title=Donald Trump avoided Vietnam with deferments, records show |date=April 29, 2011 |website=] |first=Brian |last=Montopoli |accessdate=July 17, 2015}}</ref> In 1966, he was deemed fit for military service based upon a medical examination, and in July 1968 a local draft board classified him as eligible to serve.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.archives.gov/foia/donald-trump-selective-service-draft-card.html |title=Donald John Trump's Selective Service Draft Card and Selective Service Classification Ledger |date=August 15, 2016 |website=] |access-date=September 23, 2019}} – via Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)</ref> In October 1968, he was medically deferred and classified {{nowrap|1-Y}} (unqualified for duty except in the case of a national emergency).<ref name="Whitlock21July">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/questions-linger-about-trumps-draft-deferments-during-vietnam-war/2015/07/21/257677bc-2fdd-11e5-8353-1215475949f4_story.html |title=Questions linger about Trump's draft deferments during Vietnam War |last=Whitlock |first=Craig |authorlink=Craig Whitlock |date=July 21, 2015 |work=] |accessdate=April 2, 2017|url-access=limited}}</ref> In 1972, he was reclassified {{nowrap|4-F}} due to bone spurs, which permanently disqualified him from service.<ref name="SE">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/02/us/politics/donald-trump-draft-record.html |title=Donald Trump's Draft Deferments: Four for College, One for Bad Feet |last1=Eder |first1=Steve |last2=Philipps |first2=Dave |author2link=David Philipps |date=August 1, 2016 |newspaper=] |accessdate=August 2, 2016 |url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name="emery">{{cite news |last=Emery |first=David |url=https://www.snopes.com/news/2016/08/02/donald-trumps-draft-deferments/ |title=Donald Trump's Draft Deferments |website=] |date=August 2, 2016 |accessdate=October 16, 2018}}</ref> Trump said in 2015 the deferment was for a ] in his foot, though he could not remember which foot had been afflicted.<ref name="Whitlock21July"/>

=== Family ===

{{Main|Family of Donald Trump}}
{{Further|Trump family}}
] as president by Chief Justice ] on January 20, 2017. From left: Trump, wife ], and his children ], ], ], ], and ].]]

==== Parents and siblings ====

] started working in real estate with his mother ] when he was 15, after his father ] had died in the ].<ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=April 30, 2020 |first=Susan B. |last=Glasser |authorlink=Susan Glasser |title=History According to Trump: The President and the 1917 Pandemic That Wasn't |url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/letter-from-trumps-washington/trump-and-the-1917-pandemic-that-wasnt}}</ref> Their company, "E. Trump & Son", founded in 1923,<ref name="Blair1">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PmrwtRTQ3fMC&pg=PA120 |title=The Trumps: Three Generations That Built an Empire |isbn=978-0-7432-1079-9 |last=Blair |first=Gwenda |authorlink=Gwenda Blair |publisher=]|location=New York City|date=December 4, 2001 |page=120}}</ref> was active in the ] of ] and ], building and selling thousands of houses, barracks, and apartments.<ref name=dad>{{cite news |last=Blair |first=Gwenda |authorlink=Gwenda Blair |date=August 24, 2015 |title=The Man Who Made Trump Who He Is |url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/08/the-man-who-made-trump-who-he-is-121647 |newspaper=] |accessdate=July 24, 2016}}</ref> Fred claimed to be Swedish amid the ] sparked by World War II;<ref name="CNN Swedish">{{cite news |title=Trump's family denied German heritage for years |first=Jennifer |last=Hansler |date=November 28, 2017 |website=] |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2017/11/28/politics/trump-family-heritage/index.html}}</ref> Donald Trump also claimed Swedish heritage until 1990.<ref>{{Cite news |title=The Ancestral German Home of the Trumps |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-ancestral-german-home-of-the-trumps |date=April 29, 2016 |last=McGrane |first=Sally |website=] |access-date=May 23, 2020}}</ref> Trump's mother Mary Anne MacLeod was born in Scotland.<ref name=Pilon>{{cite news |title=Donald Trump's Immigrant Mother |first=Mary |last=Pilon |authorlink=Mary Pilon |date=June 24, 2016 |work=] |url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/donald-trumps-immigrant-mother |accessdate=April 2, 2017}}</ref> Fred and Mary were married in 1936 and raised their family in Queens.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Ancestral German Home of the Trumps |first=Sally |last=McGrane |date=April 29, 2016 |work=] |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-ancestral-german-home-of-the-trumps |accessdate=April 2, 2017}}</ref> Trump grew up with three elder siblings{{snd}}], Fred Jr., and Elizabeth{{snd}}and younger brother Robert.<ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=April 11, 2019 |first=Ashley |last=Collman |title=Meet Donald Trump's siblings, the oldest of whom just retired as a federal judge |accessdate=November 2, 2019 |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-sibling-bios-judge-sister-alcoholic-brother-retirees-2018-10}}</ref>

==== Wives and children ====

In 1977, Trump married ] model ].{{sfn|Blair|2015|p=300}} They have three children, ] (born 1977), ] (born 1981), and ] (born 1984), and ten grandchildren.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nbcmontana.com/news/nation-world/lara-and-eric-trump-welcome-second-child |title=Lara and Eric Trump welcome second child |work=] |date=August 20, 2019 |access-date=August 21, 2019}}</ref> Ivana became a naturalized United States citizen in 1988.<ref>{{cite news |work=] |agency=] |via=Google News |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1899&dat=19880527&id=LiEgAAAAIBAJ&pg=5053,3823442 |title=Ivana Trump becomes U.S. citizen |date=May 27, 1988 |accessdate=August 21, 2015}}</ref> The couple divorced in 1992, following Trump's affair with actress ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/mar/16/ivana-trump-write-memoir-about-raising-us-presidents-donald-children |title=Ivana Trump to write memoir about raising US president's children |newspaper=] |agency=] |date=March 16, 2017 |accessdate=May 6, 2017}}</ref> Maples and Trump married in 1993<ref>{{cite news |last=Capuzzo |first=Mike |title=Marla Finally Becomes Mrs. Trump It Was 'Paparazzi' Aplenty And Glitz Galore As The Couple Pledged Their Troth. |newspaper=] |date=December 21, 1993 |accessdate=June 20, 2019 |url=http://articles.philly.com/1993-12-21/news/25940050_1_donald-trump-ivana-storybook-wedding |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119050108/http://articles.philly.com/1993-12-21/news/25940050_1_donald-trump-ivana-storybook-wedding |archivedate=January 19, 2016}}</ref> and had one daughter, ] (born 1993).<ref name=Slate07202016>{{cite news |last=Graham |first=Ruth |date=July 20, 2016 |title=Tiffany Trump's Sad, Vague Tribute to Her Distant Father |url=https://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2016/07/20/tiffany_trump_s_sad_vague_rnc_speech.html |newspaper=] |accessdate=July 24, 2016}}</ref> They were divorced in 1999,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20723536,00.html |title=Marla Maples Still Loves Donald Trump |work=] |first=Sheila Cosgrove |last=Baylis |date=August 7, 2013 |accessdate=May 6, 2017}}</ref> and Tiffany was raised by Marla in California.<ref name=NYT-20161002>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/02/fashion/tiffany-the-other-trump.html |title=The Other Trump |newspaper=] |first=Alessandra |last=Stanley |authorlink=Alessandra Stanley |date=October 1, 2016 |accessdate=May 6, 2017}}</ref> In 2005, Trump married ]n model ].<ref name=Post52208>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A40186-2005Jan26.html |title=Donald Trump, Settling Down |work=] |first=Tina |last=Brown |authorlink=Tina Brown |date=January 27, 2005 |accessdate=May 7, 2017}}</ref> They have one son, ] (born 2006).<ref>{{cite news |title=Donald Trump Fast Facts |url=https://www.cnn.com/2013/07/04/us/donald-trump-fast-facts/ |accessdate=March 10, 2015 |website=] |date=March 7, 2014}}</ref> Melania gained U.S. citizenship in 2006.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gunter |first=Joel |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43256318 |title=What is the Einstein visa? And how did Melania Trump get one? |date=March 2, 2018 |access-date=August 2, 2019 |website=]}}</ref>

=== Religion ===

Trump identifies as ]. He went to ] and was ] in 1959 at the ] in Jamaica, Queens.<ref name="BarronNYT"/><ref name=inactive>{{cite news |last1=Scott |first1=Eugene |title=Church says Donald Trump is not an 'active member' |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2015/08/28/politics/donald-trump-church-member/index.html |accessdate=May 26, 2020 |work=] |date=August 28, 2015}}</ref> In the 1970s, his parents joined the ] in Manhattan, which belongs to the ].<ref name="BarronNYT"/><ref name="WaPo.March.18.17">{{cite news |last=Schwartzman |first=Paul |title=How Trump got religion – and why his legendary minister's son now rejects him |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/how-trump-got-religion--and-why-his-legendary-ministers-son-now-rejects-him/2016/01/21/37bae16e-bb02-11e5-829c-26ffb874a18d_story.html |accessdate=March 18, 2017 |work=] |date=January 21, 2016}}</ref> The pastor at Marble, ],<ref name="BarronNYT">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/06/nyregion/donald-trump-marble-collegiate-church-norman-vincent-peale.html |title=Overlooked Influences on Donald Trump: A Famous Minister and His Church |work=] |first=James |last=Barron |authorlink=James Barron (journalist) |date=September 5, 2016 |accessdate=October 13, 2016}}</ref> ministered to Trump's family until Peale's death in 1993.<ref name="WaPo.March.18.17" /> Trump has described Peale as a mentor.{{sfn|Kranish|Fisher|2017|p=}} In 2015, after Trump said he attends Marble, the church publicly stated he "is not an active member" of the church.<ref name=inactive/> In November 2019, Trump appointed his personal pastor, ] ], to the White House Office of Public Liaison.<ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=October 31, 2019 |first1=Jeremy W. |last1=Peters |author1link=Jeremy W. Peters |first2=Maggie |last2=Haberman |author2link=Maggie Haberman |title=Paula White, Trump's Personal Pastor, Joins the White House |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/31/us/politics/paula-white-trump.html}}</ref>

=== Health and lifestyle ===

Trump ].<ref name="nytimesalc">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/03/us/politics/for-donald-trump-lessons-from-a-brothers-suffering.html |title=For Donald Trump, Lessons From a Brother's Suffering |newspaper=] |last=Horowitz |first=Jason |date=January 2, 2016 |accessdate=July 24, 2016}}</ref> He says he has never smoked cigarettes or ].<ref name="smoke">{{Cite news |last=Hotakainen |first=Rob |url=https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/election/article94034152.html |title=Clinton, Trump both say they've never smoked pot |date=August 8, 2016 |access-date=July 5, 2020 |work=]}}</ref> He likes ] and French cuisine.<ref>{{cite news |last=Parker |first=Ashley |authorlink=Ashley Parker |title=Donald Trump's Diet: He'll Have Fries With That |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/09/us/politics/donald-trump-diet.html |website=] |accessdate=June 10, 2019 |date=August 8, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/02/07/politics/trump-health/index.html |title=Ahead of annual physical, Trump has not followed doctor's orders |website=] |first1=Jeremy |last1=Diamond |author1link=Jeremy Diamond |first2=Kevin |last2=Liptak |date=February 7, 2019 |quote=Nearly a dozen White House officials and sources close to Trump said they don't believe he's set foot in the fitness room in the White House residence, maintaining his view that exercise would be a waste of the energy he has always touted as one of his best attributes.}}</ref> He has said he prefers three to four hours of sleep per night.<ref>{{cite news |title=Donald Trump is the poster child of sleep deprivation: Arianna Huffington |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/01/17/donald-trump-is-poster-child-of-sleep-deprivation-arianna-huffington.html |website=] |accessdate=June 10, 2019 |date=January 17, 2017 |first1=Sam |last1=Meredith |first2=Tania |last2=Bryer |author2link=Tania Bryer}}</ref> He has called golfing his "primary form of exercise", although he usually does not walk the course.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://thegolfnewsnet.com/golfnewsnetteam/2018/07/14/donald-trump-exercise-golf-cart-turnberry-110166/ |title=Donald Trump says he gets most of his exercise from golf, then uses cart at Turnberry |work=Golf News Net |date=July 14, 2018 |access-date=July 4, 2019}}</ref> He considers exercise a waste of energy, because he believes the body is "like a battery, with a finite amount of energy" which is depleted by exercise.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/trump-thinks-that-exercising-too-much-uses-up-the-bodys-finite-energy/2017/05/12/bb0b9bda-365d-11e7-b4ee-434b6d506b37_story.html |title=Trump thinks that exercising too much uses up the body's finite energy |newspaper=] |date=May 12, 2017 |quote=Trump mostly gave up athletics after college because he 'believed the human body was like a battery, with a finite amount of energy, which exercise only depleted'.}}</ref>

In December 2015, ], who had been Trump's personal physician since 1980, wrote that Trump would "be the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency" in a letter released by the Trump campaign.<ref name="dictation">{{cite news |first1=Alex |last1=Marquardt |first2=Lawrence III |last2=Crook |title=Bornstein claims Trump dictated the glowing health letter |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/01/politics/harold-bornstein-trump-letter/index.html |website=] |date=May 1, 2018 |accessdate=May 20, 2018}}</ref> In May 2018, Bornstein said Trump had dictated the contents of the letter and that three agents of Trump had removed his medical records in February 2017 without due authorization.<ref name="dictation"/><ref name="Schechter">{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-doc-says-trump-bodyguard-lawyer-raided-his-office-took-n870351 |title=Trump doctor Harold Bornstein says bodyguard, lawyer 'raided' his office, took medical files |last=Schecter |first=Anna |date=May 1, 2018 |work=] |accessdate=June 6, 2019}}</ref>

In January 2018, White House physician ] said Trump was in excellent health and that his cardiac assessment revealed no issues.<ref name=time-20180117>{{cite news |url=https://time.com/5105096/donald-trump-physical-exam-transcript/ |first=Jamie |last=Ducharme |title=The White House Doctor Called President Trump's Health 'Excellent'. Here's the Full Summary of His Physical Exam |work=] |date=January 17, 2018 |accessdate=January 18, 2018}}</ref> Several outside cardiologists commented that Trump's 2018 ] level of 143 did not indicate excellent health.<ref name=nyt-20180117>{{cite news |first1=Michael D. |last1=Shear |author1link=Michael D. Shear |first2=Gina |last2=Kolata |author2link=Gina Kolata |title=Trump's Physical Revealed Serious Heart Concerns, Outside Experts Say |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/17/us/politics/trump-physical-heart-health-cholesterol.html |newspaper=] |date=January 17, 2018 |accessdate=June 3, 2018}}</ref> In February 2019, after a new examination, White House physician ] said Trump was in "very good health overall", although he was clinically ].<ref name="obese">{{cite news |last1=Howard |first1=Jacqueline |last2=Liptak |first2=Kevin |title=Trump in 'very good health overall' but obese, according to physical exam results |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/14/health/trump-physical-results-2019-bn/index.html |website=] |accessdate=February 15, 2019 |date=February 14, 2019}}</ref> His 2019 ] score indicates he suffers from a form of ] common for white men of his age.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gupta |first=Sanjay |authorlink=Sanjay Gupta |title=President Trump has a common form of heart disease |date=February 1, 2018 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/01/17/health/trump-heart-disease-gupta/index.html |website=] |accessdate=June 10, 2019}}</ref>

In June 2020, Conley released a memorandum saying "the data indicates that the President remains healthy."<ref name="summary">{{Cite news |last1=Rogers |first1=Katie |last2=Altman |first2=Lawrence K. |date=June 3, 2020 |title=Trump 'Remains Healthy' After Taking Hydroxychloroquine, His Doctor Says |work=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/03/us/politics/trump-physical-hydroxychloroquine.html |access-date=June 20, 2020}}</ref><ref name="memo">{{Cite news |last=Conley |first=Sean P. |authorlink=Sean Conley |date=June 3, 2020 |title=President Donald J. Trump's Periodic Physical Exam |url=https://media.arkansasonline.com/news/documents/2020/06/03/Trump_Physical_Exam.pdf |access-date=June 19, 2020 |publisher=Physician to the President |via=]}}</ref> The memorandum was not the usual report issued after the annual physical exam. It summarized medical appointments that had taken place between November 2019 and 2020. It also said Trump had completed two-weeks of taking ] with zinc and vitamin D "safely and without side effects" as a preventive measure against contracting ].<ref name="summary"/>

=== Wealth ===

{{Main|Wealth of Donald Trump}}
{{See also|Tax returns of Donald Trump}}
] in 1985,<ref>{{cite news |first1=Kastor |last1=Elizabeth |last2=Radcliffe |first2=Donnie |title=Trump lied to me about his wealth to get onto the Forbes 400. Here are the tapes. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1985/02/12/fahds-night-fanfare-fit-for-a-king/670e92d3-f181-48b9-9ffa-abe2a30ddedf/ |newspaper=] |date=February 12, 1985 |access-date=May 28, 2020}}</ref> with U.S. president ] and First Lady ]]]

In 1982, Trump was listed on the initial '']'' list of wealthy individuals as having a share of his family's estimated $200&nbsp;million net worth. His financial losses in the 1980s caused him to be dropped from the list between 1990 and 1995.<ref name=OBrien2005Oct>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/23/business/yourmoney/whats-he-really-worth.html |title=What's He Really Worth? |first=Timothy L. |last=O'Brien |authorlink=Timothy L. O'Brien |accessdate=February 25, 2016 |date=October 23, 2005 |work=]}}</ref> In its 2020 ]s ranking, ''Forbes'' estimated Trump's net worth at $2.1&nbsp;billion<!-- Updated annually per ], item 5. Otherwise, DO NOT CHANGE this value without prior consensus. -->{{efn|name=Wealth|This estimate is by ''Forbes'' in their annual ranking. ] listed Trump's net worth as $2.97&nbsp;billion in June 2019,<ref name="BBI">{{cite news |title=Bloomberg Billionaires Index–Donald Trump |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/profiles/donald-j-trump/ |website=] |access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref> and Wealth-X listed it as at least $3.2&nbsp;billion in April 2019.<ref name="WX">{{cite web |title=Donald John Trump–Wealth-X Dossier |url=https://www.wealthx.com/dossier/donald-john-trump/ |website=Wealth-X |access-date=May 9, 2019 |archivedate=April 18, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418084832/https://www.wealthx.com/dossier/donald-john-trump/}}</ref>}} (1,001st in the world, 275th in the U.S.)<ref name="forbes-billionaires">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/donald-trump/?list=billionaires |title=#1001 Donald Trump |magazine=] |year=2020 |accessdate=April 13, 2020}}</ref> making him one of the ] and the first billionaire American president.<ref name="forbes-billionaires"/> During the three years since Trump announced his presidential run in 2015, Forbes estimated his net worth declined 31% and his ranking fell 138 spots.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-forbes-wealthiest-people-in-the-us-list-2018-10 |title=Trump has fallen 138 spots on Forbes' wealthiest-Americans list, his net worth down over $1 billion, since he announced his presidential bid in 2015 |work=] |date=October 3, 2018 |first=John |last=Walsh |accessdate=October 3, 2018}}</ref> When he filed mandatory financial disclosure forms with the ] (FEC) in July 2015, Trump claimed a net worth of about $10&nbsp;billion;<ref name="financial-pr">{{cite web |url=https://www.donaldjtrump.com/images/uploads/DJT_PFD_Statement_(1).pdf |title=Donald J. Trump Files Personal Financial Disclosure Statement With Federal Election Commission |first1=Corey R. |last1=Lewandowski |author1link=Corey Lewandowski |first2=Hope |last2=Hicks |author2link=Hope Hicks |date=July 15, 2015 |accessdate=March 8, 2016 |archive-date=March 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309043101/https://www.donaldjtrump.com/images/uploads/DJT_PFD_Statement_%281%29.pdf}}</ref> however, FEC figures cannot corroborate this estimate because they only show each of his largest buildings as being worth over $50&nbsp;million, yielding total assets worth more than $1.4&nbsp;billion and debt over $265&nbsp;million.<ref name="Yahoo News FEC"/> Trump said in a 2007 deposition, "My net worth fluctuates, and it goes up and down with markets and with attitudes and with feelings, even my own feelings."<ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=August 10, 2016 |first1=David A. |last1=Fahrenthold |author1link=David Fahrenthold |first2=Robert Jr. |last2=O'Harrow |title=Trump: A True Story |accessdate=October 14, 2018 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/politics/2016-election/trump-lies/}}</ref>

Journalist Jonathan Greenberg reported in April 2018 that Trump, using the pseudonym "]" and claiming to be a Trump Organization official, called him in 1984 to falsely assert that he owned "in excess of ninety percent" of the Trump family's business, in an effort to secure a higher ranking on the ] list of wealthy Americans. Greenberg also wrote that ''Forbes'' had vastly overestimated Trump's wealth and wrongly included him on the Forbes 400 rankings of 1982, 1983, and 1984.<ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=April 20, 2018 |first=Jonathan |last=Greenberg |title=Trump lied to me about his wealth to get onto the Forbes 400. Here are the tapes. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/trump-lied-to-me-about-his-wealth-to-get-onto-the-forbes-400-here-are-the-tapes/2018/04/20/ac762b08-4287-11e8-8569-26fda6b404c7_story.html}}</ref>

Trump has often said he began his career with "a small loan of one million dollars" from his father, and that he had to pay it back with interest.<ref name="small-loan">{{cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2015/10/26/donald-trump-my-dad-gave-me-a-small-loan-of-1-million-to-get-started.html |title=Donald Trump: My dad gave me 'a small loan' of $1 million to get started |website=] |first=Scott |last=Stump |date=October 26, 2015 |accessdate=November 13, 2016}}</ref> In October 2018, ''The New York Times'' reported that Trump "was a millionaire by age 8", borrowed at least $60&nbsp;million from his father, largely failed to reimburse him, and had received $413&nbsp;million (adjusted for inflation) from his father's business empire over his lifetime.<ref name="takeaways">{{cite news |last1=Barstow |first1=David |author1link=David Barstow |last2=Craig |first2=Susanne |author2link=Susanne Craig |last3=Buettner |first3=Russ |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/02/us/politics/donald-trump-wealth-fred-trump.html |title=11 Takeaways From The Times's Investigation Into Trump's Wealth |newspaper=] |date=October 2, 2018 |accessdate=October 3, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Tax_Schemes">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/10/02/us/politics/donald-trump-tax-schemes-fred-trump.html |title=Trump Engaged in Suspect Tax Schemes as He Reaped Riches From His Father |work=] |last1=Barstow |first1=David |author1link=David Barstow |last2=Craig |first2=Susanne |author2link=Susanne Craig |last3=Buettner |first3=Russ |date=October 2, 2018 |accessdate=October 2, 2018}}</ref> According to the report, Trump and his family committed tax fraud, which a lawyer for Trump denied. The tax department of New York said it is "vigorously pursuing all appropriate avenues of investigation" into it.<ref>{{cite news |work=] |first1=Jon |last1=Campbell |first2=Joseph |last2=Spector |title=New York could levy hefty penalties if Trump tax fraud is proven |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/10/03/new-york-trump-tax-fraud/1512265002/ |date=October 3, 2018 |accessdate=October 5, 2018}}</ref><ref name="AP2018-12-16"/> Analyses by '']'' and ''The Washington Post'' have concluded that Trump's investments underperformed the stock market.<ref name="econ_From">{{cite news |title=From the Tower to the White House |work=] |date=February 20, 2016 |accessdate=February 29, 2016 |url=https://www.economist.com/news/united-states/21693230-enigma-presidential-candidates-business-affairs-tower-white |quote=Mr Trump's performance has been mediocre compared with the stockmarket and property in New York.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Ana |last=Swanson |title=The myth and the reality of Donald Trump's business empire |date=February 29, 2016 |website=] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/02/29/the-myth-and-the-reality-of-donald-trumps-business-empire/}}</ref> Forbes estimated in October 2018 that the value of Trump's personal brand licensing business had declined by 88% since 2015, to $3&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/02/trump-forbes-400-spot-tumbles-as-net-worth-declines.html |title=Trump tumbles down the Forbes 400 as his net worth takes major hit |first=Kevin |last=Breuninger |date=October 2, 2018 |website=] |accessdate=January 4, 2019}}</ref>

Trump's tax returns from 1985 to 1994 show net losses totaling $1.17&nbsp;billion over the ten-year period, in contrast to his claims about his financial health and business abilities. ''The New York Times'' reported that "year after year, Mr. Trump appears to have lost more money than nearly any other individual American taxpayer," and Trump's "core business losses in 1990 and 1991{{snd}}more than $250&nbsp;million each year{{snd}}were more than double those of the nearest taxpayers in the I.R.S. information for those years". In 1995 his reported losses were $915.7&nbsp;million.<ref name=Buettner-190508>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/05/07/us/politics/donald-trump-taxes.html |title=Decade in the Red: Trump Tax Figures Show Over $1 Billion in Business Losses |work=] |date=May 8, 2019 |accessdate=May 8, 2019 |first=Russ |last=Buettner |first2=Susanne |last2=Craig |author2link=Susanne Craig}}</ref><ref name=Friedersdorf-190508>{{cite news |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/05/trump-taxes/588967/ |title=The Secret That Was Hiding in Trump's Taxes |work=] |date=May 8, 2019 |accessdate=May 8, 2019 |first=Conor |last=Friedersdorf |authorlink=Conor Friedersdorf}}</ref>

== Business career ==

{{Main|Business career of Donald Trump}}
{{Further|Business projects of Donald Trump in Russia}}

=== Real estate ===

] in ]]]

Trump began his career in 1968 at his father Fred's real estate development company, E. Trump & Son, which owned middle-class rental housing in New York City's outer boroughs.{{sfn|Trump|Schwartz|2009|p=46}}<ref name=Mahler /> In 1971, he became president of the company and renamed it ].{{sfn|Blair|2015b|p=}}

==== Manhattan developments ====

Trump attracted public attention in 1978 with the launch of his family's first Manhattan venture, the renovation of the derelict ], adjacent to ]. The financing was facilitated by a $400&nbsp;million city property tax abatement arranged by Fred Trump,<ref>{{cite news |first=Frank |last=Rich |authorlink=Frank Rich |title=The Original Donald Trump |url=https://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/04/frank-rich-roy-cohn-the-original-donald-trump.html |work=] |date=April 29, 2018 |accessdate=May 8, 2018}}</ref> who also joined Hyatt in guaranteeing $70&nbsp;million in bank construction financing.<ref name="Kessler160303">{{cite news |first=Glenn |last=Kessler |authorlink=Glenn Kessler (journalist) |title=Trump's false claim he built his empire with a 'small loan' from his father |date=March 3, 2016 |newspaper=] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2016/03/03/trumps-false-claim-he-built-his-empire-with-a-small-loan-from-his-father}}</ref>{{sfn|Kranish|Fisher|2017|p=}} The hotel reopened in 1980 as the ],{{sfn|Wooten|2009|pp=32–35}} and that same year, Trump obtained rights to develop ], a ] skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Expanding Empire of Donald Trump |date=April 8, 1984 |first=William |last=Geist |authorlink=Bill Geist |newspaper=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/08/magazine/the-expanding-empire-of-donald-trump.html}}</ref> The building houses the headquarters of the Trump Organization and was Trump's primary residence until 2019.<ref name="TrumpTowerResidence1">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/09/nyregion/donald-trump-new-york-protests.html |title=Donald Trump Loves New York. But It Doesn't Love Him Back. |first=Alexander |last=Burns |authorlink=Alex Burns (journalist) |newspaper=] |date=December 9, 2016 |accessdate=December 9, 2016}}</ref><ref name=moved>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/31/us/politics/trump-new-york-florida-primary-residence.html |title=Trump, Lifelong New Yorker, Declares Himself a Resident of Florida |newspaper=] |last=Haberman |first=Maggie |authorlink=Maggie Haberman |date=October 31, 2019 |accessdate=January 24, 2020}}</ref>

In 1988, Trump acquired the ] in Manhattan with a loan of $425&nbsp;million from a consortium of banks. Two years later, the hotel filed for bankruptcy protection, and a reorganization plan was approved in 1992.<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump's Plaza Hotel bankruptcy plan approved |newspaper=] |date=December 12, 1992 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/12/12/business/company-news-trump-s-plaza-hotel-bankruptcy-plan-approved.html |agency=] |accessdate=July 18, 2019}}</ref> In 1995, Trump lost the hotel to Citibank and investors from Singapore and Saudi Arabia, who assumed $300&nbsp;million of the debt.<ref name="NYT-19950412">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/12/business/trump-is-selling-plaza-hotel-to-saudi-and-asian-investors.html |title=Trump Is Selling Plaza Hotel To Saudi and Asian Investors |newspaper=] |first1=David |last1=Stout |author1link=David Stout |first2=Kenneth |last2=Gilpin |date=April 12, 1995 |accessdate=July 18, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Satow |first=Julie |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2019-05-23/that-time-trump-sold-the-plaza-hotel-at-an-83-million-loss |title=That Time Trump Sold the Plaza Hotel at an $83 Million Loss |website=Bloomberg |date=May 23, 2019 |accessdate=July 18, 2019}}</ref>

In 1996, Trump acquired a vacant 71-story skyscraper at ]. After an extensive renovation, the high-rise was renamed the Trump Building.{{sfn|Wooten|2009|pp=81–82}} In the early 1990s, Trump won the right to develop a {{convert|70|acre|ha|adj=on}} tract in the ] neighborhood near the ]. Struggling with debt from other ventures in 1994, Trump sold most of his interest in the project to Asian investors who were able to finance completion of the project, ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/01/nyregion/trump-group-selling-west-side-parcel-for-1.8-billion.html |title=Trump Group Selling West Side Parcel for $1.8 billion |last=Bagli |first=Charles V. |newspaper=] |date=June 1, 2005 |accessdate=May 17, 2016}}</ref>

==== Palm Beach estate ====

{{Main|Mar-a-Lago}}
]

In 1985, Trump acquired the ] estate in ].<ref name="CP-W">{{cite news |last=Peterson-Withorn |first=Chase |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/chasewithorn/2018/04/23/donald-trump-has-gained-more-than-100-million-on-mar-a-lago/#2fbdf3da5adc |title=Donald Trump Has Gained More Than $100 Million On Mar-a-Lago |work=] |date=April 23, 2018 |accessdate=July 4, 2018}}</ref> Trump used a wing of the estate as a home, while converting the remainder into a private club with an initiation fee and annual dues.<ref name="town&countryprice">{{cite web |url=https://www.townandcountrymag.com/style/home-decor/a7144/mar-a-lago-history/ |title=A History of Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump's American Castle |last=Dangremond |first=Sam |date=December 22, 2017 |website=] |accessdate=July 3, 2018}}</ref> The initiation fee was $100,000 until 2016; it was doubled to $200,000 in January 2017.<ref name="samD10-9-17">{{cite web |last=Dangremond |first=Sam |url=https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/money-and-power/a9606/mar-a-lago-facts/ |title=Here's What We Know About the Membership of Mar-a-Lago |website=] |date=October 9, 2017 |accessdate=July 4, 2018}}</ref> On September 27, 2019, Trump declared Mar-a-Lago his primary residence.<ref name = moved/>

==== Atlantic City casinos ====

] in ]]]

In 1984, Trump opened ] hotel and casino in ] with financing from the ], who also managed the operation. Gambling had been legalized there in 1977 in an effort to revitalize the once-popular seaside destination.{{sfn|Wooten|2009|pp=57–58}} Soon after it opened the casino was renamed "Trump Plaza", but the property's poor financial results worsened tensions between Holiday and Trump, who paid Holiday $70&nbsp;million in May 1986 to take sole control of the property.{{sfn|Kranish|Fisher|2017|p=}} Earlier, Trump had also acquired a partially completed building in Atlantic City from the ] for $320&nbsp;million. Upon its completion in 1985, that hotel and casino was called ]. Trump's then-wife ] managed it until 1988.{{sfn|Wooten|2009|pp=59–60}}{{sfn|Kranish|Fisher|2017|p=}}

Trump acquired a third casino in Atlantic City, the ], in 1988 in a highly leveraged transaction.<ref>{{cite news |title=Seven Acquisitive Executives Who Made Business News in 1988: Donald Trump–Trump Organization; The Artist of the Deal Turns Sour into Sweet |last=Cuff |first=Daniel |date=December 18, 1988 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/12/27/business/seven-acquisitive-executives-who-made-business-1988-donald-trump-trump.html |accessdate=May 27, 2011 |work=]}}</ref> It was financed with $675&nbsp;million in ] and completed at a cost of $1.1&nbsp;billion, opening in April 1990.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/08/business/trump-s-taj-open-at-last-with-a-scary-appetite.html |title=Trump's Taj – Open at Last, With a Scary Appetite |date=April 8, 1990 |last=Glynn |first=Lenny |work=] |accessdate=August 14, 2016}}</ref><ref name=UPI9April>{{cite news |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/04/09/Trump-reaches-agreement-with-bondholders-on-Taj-Mahal/7261671169600/ |title=Trump reaches agreement with bondholders on Taj Mahal |website=] |date=April 9, 1991 |accessdate=March 21, 2016}}</ref>{{sfn|Kranish|Fisher|2017|p=}} The project went bankrupt the following year,<ref name = UPI9April/> and the reorganization left Trump with only half his initial ownership stake and required him to pledge personal guarantees of future performance.<ref name="NYTimes">{{cite news |work=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/05/business/company-news-taj-mahal-is-out-of-bankruptcy.html |title=Taj Mahal is out of Bankruptcy |accessdate=May 22, 2008 |date=October 5, 1991}}</ref> Facing "enormous debt", he gave up control of his money-losing airline, ], and sold his {{convert|282|ft|m|adj=mid}} mega yacht, the '']'', which had been indefinitely docked in Atlantic City while leased to his casinos for use by wealthy gamblers.<ref name=Hylton>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/11/business/trump-is-reportedly-selling-yacht.html |title=Trump Is Reportedly Selling Yacht |website=] |date=May 11, 1990 |accessdate=July 3, 2018 |last=Hylton |first=Richard}}</ref>{{sfn|Kranish|Fisher|2017|pp=}}

In 1995, Trump founded ] (THCR), which assumed ownership of Trump Plaza, Trump Castle, and the ] in ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump Plaza casino stock trades today on Big Board |newspaper=] |first=Floyd |last=Norris |authorlink=Floyd Norris |date=June 7, 1995 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/07/business/trump-plaza-casino-stock-trades-today-on-big-board.html |accessdate=December 14, 2014}}</ref> THCR purchased the Taj Mahal in 1996 and underwent successive bankruptcies in 2004, 2009, and 2014, leaving Trump with only ten percent ownership.<ref name=McQuade16Aug>{{cite news |url=https://www.phillymag.com/news/2015/08/16/donald-trump-atlantic-city-empire/ |title=The Truth About the Rise and Fall of Donald Trump's Atlantic City Empire |work=] |date=August 16, 2015 |accessdate=March 21, 2016 |first=Dan |last=McQuade}}</ref> He remained chairman of THCR until 2009.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://fortune.com/2016/03/10/trump-hotel-casinos-pay-failure/ |title=How Donald Trump Made Millions Off His Biggest Business Failure |last=Tully |first=Shawn |date=March 10, 2016 |work=] |accessdate=May 6, 2018}}</ref>

==== Golf courses ====

{{Main|Donald Trump and golf}}

The Trump Organization began acquiring and constructing golf courses in 1999.<ref name=CNNMoney>{{cite news |last=Garcia |first=Ahiza |title=Trump's 17 golf courses teed up: Everything you need to know |url=https://money.cnn.com/2016/12/29/news/donald-trump-golf-courses/index.html |accessdate=January 21, 2018 |website=] |date=December 29, 2016}}</ref> It owned 16 golf courses and resorts worldwide and operated another two {{as of|lc=y|December 2016}}. According to Trump's FEC personal financial disclosure, his 2015 golf and resort revenue amounted to $382&nbsp;million.<ref name="cnn-20160519">{{cite news |url=https://money.cnn.com/2016/05/18/news/trump-finances/ |title=A peek at Donald Trump's finances |first1=Cristina |last1=Alesci |author1link=Cristina Alesci |first2=Laurie |last2=Frankel |first3=Jeanne |last3=Sahadi |website=] |date=May 19, 2016 |accessdate=May 20, 2016}}</ref>

From his inauguration until the end of 2019, Trump spent around one out of every five days at one of his golf clubs.<ref>{{cite news |first=Betsy |last=Klein |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/12/31/politics/trump-golfing-vacation/index.html|title=Trump spent 1 of every 5 days in 2019 at a golf club|website=] |date=December 31, 2019|access-date=February 22, 2020}}</ref>

=== Branding and licensing ===

{{See also|List of things named after Donald Trump}}
] in Chicago]]

After the Trump Organization's financial losses in the early 1990s, it refocused its business on branding and licensing the Trump name for projects owned and operated by other people and companies.<ref name="NYer Branding">{{cite web |last1=Cassidy |first1=John |title=Donald Trump's Business Failures Were Very Real |url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/donald-trumps-business-failures-were-very-real |newspaper=] |date=May 10, 2019|accessdate=November 9, 2019 |ref=May 20, 2019}}</ref> In the late 2000s and early 2010s, it expanded this branding and management business to ] located around the world, including ]; ]; ]; ]; ]; and ]. There were also Trump-branded buildings in Dubai, ], ], Manila, Mumbai, and Indonesia.<ref name="Forbes-20170320">{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenniferwang/2017/03/20/these-foreign-businessmen-are-paying-donald-trump-the-most-money/ |title=From Manila to Hawaii, Meet The Licensing Partners Who Paid Trump The Most |work=] |first=Jennifer |last=Wang |date=March 20, 2017 |accessdate=May 6, 2017}}</ref>

The Trump name has also been licensed for various consumer products and services, including foodstuffs, apparel, adult learning courses, and home furnishings.<ref name="overseas">{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Michelle Ye Hee |title=How many Trump products were made overseas? Here's the complete list. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2016/08/26/how-many-trump-products-were-made-overseas-heres-the-complete-list/ |newspaper=] |date=August 26, 2016 |access-date=May 17, 2019}}</ref><ref name="neckties">{{cite news |work=] |date=April 13, 2018 |first1=Zane |last1=Anthony |first2=Kathryn |last2=Sanders |first3=David A. |last3=Fahrenthold |author3link=David Fahrenthold |title=Whatever happened to Trump neckties? They're over. So is most of Trump's merchandising empire. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/whatever-happened-to-trump-ties-theyre-over-so-is-most-of-trumps-merchandising-empire/2018/04/13/2c32378a-369c-11e8-acd5-35eac230e514_story.html}}</ref> According to an analysis by ''The Washington Post'', there are more than fifty licensing or management deals involving Trump's name, which have generated at least $59&nbsp;million in yearly revenue for his companies.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Aaron |last1=Williams |first2=Anu |last2=Narayanswamy |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/world/trump-worldwide-licensing/ |title=How Trump has made millions by selling his name |newspaper=] |date=January 25, 2017 |accessdate=December 12, 2017}}</ref> By 2018 only two consumer goods companies continued to license his name.<ref name="neckties"/>

=== Legal affairs and bankruptcies ===

{{Main|Legal affairs of Donald Trump|List of lawsuits involving Donald Trump}}

] ] served as Trump's lawyer and mentor in the 1970s and 1980s, with a 13-year relationship.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hornaday |first1=Ann |title=A portrait of an infamous fixer – and his most famous pupil – in 'Where's My Roy Cohn?' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/a-portrait-of-an-infamous-fixer--and-his-most-famous-pupil--in-wheres-my-roy-cohn/2019/09/24/73013ed0-dca5-11e9-bfb1-849887369476_story.html |accessdate=May 26, 2020 |work=] |date=September 24, 2019}}</ref><ref name=Mahler2>{{cite news |last1=Mahler |first1=Jonathan |last2=Flegenheimer |first2=Matt |title=What Donald Trump Learned From Joseph McCarthy's Right-Hand Man |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/21/us/politics/donald-trump-roy-cohn.html |accessdate=May 26, 2020 |work=] |date=June 20, 2016}}</ref> According to Trump, they were so close that Cohn sometimes waived fees due to their friendship.<ref name=Mahler/> In 1973, Cohn helped Trump counter-sue the United States government for $100&nbsp;million over its charges that Trump's properties had racial discriminatory practices; in 1975 an agreement was struck for Trump's properties to change their practices.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dunlap |first1=David |title=1973|url=https://www.nytimes.com/times-insider/2015/07/30/1973-meet-donald-trump/ |accessdate=May 26, 2020 |date=July 30, 2015}}</ref> It was Cohn who introduced political consultant Roger Stone to Trump, who enlisted Stone's services to deal with the federal government.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brenner |first1=Julie |title=How Donald Trump and Roy Cohn's Ruthless Symbiosis Changed America |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/06/donald-trump-roy-cohn-relationship |accessdate=May 26, 2020 |work=] |date=June 28, 2017}}</ref>

{{As of|April 2018}}, Trump and his businesses had been involved in more than 4,000 state and federal legal actions, according to a running tally by '']''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dive into Donald Trump's thousands of lawsuits |url=https://www.usatoday.com/pages/interactives/trump-lawsuits/ |accessdate=April 17, 2018 |work=]}}</ref> {{As of|2016}}, he or one of his companies had been the plaintiff in 1,900 cases and the defendant in 1,450.<ref name="USATodayAnalysis">{{cite news |title=Exclusive: Trump's 3,500 lawsuits unprecedented for a presidential nominee |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/06/01/donald-trump-lawsuits-legal-battles/84995854/ |accessdate=June 2, 2016 |newspaper=] |date=June 2, 2016 |first1=Nick |last1=Penzenstadler |first2=Susan |last2=Page |author2link=Susan Page |quote=About 100 additional disputes centered on other issues at the casinos. Trump and his enterprises have been named in almost 700 personal-injury claims and about 165 court disputes with government agencies&nbsp;... Due to his branding value, Trump is determined to defend his name and reputation.}}</ref>

While Trump has not filed for ], his over-leveraged hotel and casino businesses in Atlantic City and New York filed for ] protection six times between 1991 and 2009.<ref name="CO">{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2011/04/29/fourth-times-a-charm-how-donald-trump-made-bankruptcy-work-for-him/ |first=Clare |last=O'Connor |title=Fourth Time's A Charm: How Donald Trump Made Bankruptcy Work For Him |work=] |date=April 29, 2011 |accessdate=February 19, 2015}}</ref><ref name="TW">{{cite news |last=Winter |first=Tom |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/trump-bankruptcy-math-doesn-t-add-n598376 |title=4Trump Bankruptcy Math Doesn't Add Up |work=] |date=June 24, 2016 |accessdate=February 26, 2020}}</ref> They continued to operate while the banks restructured debt and reduced Trump's shares in the properties.<ref name="CO"/><ref name="TW"/>

During the 1980s, more than 70 banks had lent Trump $4&nbsp;billion,<ref name="ArtOfTheSpin">{{cite news |work=] |date=July 17, 2016 |first=Emily |last=Flitter |title=Art of the spin: Trump bankers question his portrayal of financial comeback |accessdate=October 14, 2018 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-trump-bankruptcies-insig/art-of-the-spin-trump-bankers-question-his-portrayal-of-financial-comeback-idUSKCN0ZX0GP}}</ref> but in the aftermath of his corporate bankruptcies of the early 1990s, most major banks declined to lend to him, with only ] still willing to lend money.<ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=December 8, 2017 |first=Allan |last=Smith |title=Trump's long and winding history with Deutsche Bank could now be at the center of Robert Mueller's investigation |accessdate=October 14, 2018 |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-deutsche-bank-mueller-2017-12}}</ref>

In April 2019, the ] issued ]s seeking financial details from Trump's banks, Deutsche Bank and ], and his accounting firm, ]. In response, Trump sued the banks, Mazars, and committee chairman ] to prevent the disclosures.<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump sues Deutsche Bank and Capital One over Democrat subpoenas |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-48102647 |work=] |date=April 30, 2019 |accessdate=May 1, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=April 22, 2019 |last1=Fahrenthold |first1=David |author1link=David Fahrenthold |last2=Bade |first2=Rachael |last3=Wagner |first3=John |title=Trump sues in bid to block congressional subpoena of financial records |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-sues-in-bid-to-block-congressional-subpoena-of-financial-records/2019/04/22/a98de3d0-6500-11e9-82ba-fcfeff232e8f_story.html |work=] |accessdate=May 1, 2019}}</ref> In May, ] judge ] ruled that Mazars must comply with the subpoena,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/20/us/politics/trump-financial-records.html |title=Accountants Must Turn Over Trump's Financial Records, Lower-Court Judge Rules |first=Charlie |last=Savage |authorlink=Charlie Savage |date=May 20, 2019 |work=]}}</ref> and judge ] of the ] ruled that the banks must also comply.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/judge-rejects-trumps-request-to-halt-congressional-subpoenas-for-his-banking-records/2019/05/22/28f9b93a-7ccd-11e9-8bb7-0fc796cf2ec0_story.html |title=Judge rejects Trump's request to halt congressional subpoenas for his banking records |website=] |date=May 22, 2019 |first1=Renae |last1=Merle |first2=Michael |last2=Kranish |author2link=Michael Kranish |first3=Felicia |last3=Sonmez}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/22/business/deutsche-bank-trump-subpoena.html |title=Deutsche Bank Can Release Trump Records to Congress, Judge Rules |first=Emily |last=Flitter |date=May 22, 2019 |work=]}}</ref> Trump's attorneys appealed the rulings,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.newsweek.com/trump-subpoena-appeal-merrick-garland-court-1431543 |title=Trump's appeal to keep finances away from Democrats goes to court headed by Merrick Garland |date=May 21, 2019 |website=] |first=Alexandra |last=Hutzler}}</ref> arguing that Congress was attempting to usurp the "exercise of law-enforcement authority that the Constitution reserves to the executive branch".<ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=June 10, 2019 |first=Mikhaila |last=Vogel |title=Trump Legal Team Files Brief in Mazars Appeal |accessdate=June 12, 2019 |url=https://www.lawfareblog.com/trump-legal-team-files-brief-mazars-appeal}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=May 28, 2019 |first=Renae |last=Merle |title=House subpoenas for Trump's bank records put on hold while President appeals |accessdate=May 28, 2019 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/05/29/house-subpoenas-trumps-bank-records-put-hold-while-president-appeals/}}</ref>

=== Side ventures ===

After taking over control of the Trump Organization in 1971, Trump expanded its real estate operations and ventured into other business activities. The company eventually became the umbrella organization for several hundred individual business ventures and partnerships.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-33644498 |title=Five take-aways from Donald Trump's financial disclosure |work=] |date=July 23, 2015 |accessdate=January 17, 2016 |first=Anthony |last=Zurcher}}</ref>

In September 1983, Trump purchased the ], a team in the ]. After the 1985 season, the league folded largely due to Trump's strategy of moving games to a fall schedule where they competed with the ] for audience, and trying to force a merger with the NFL by bringing an ] against the organization.<ref name=Markazi>{{cite news |first=Arash |last=Markazi |authorlink=Arash Markazi |title=5 things to know about Donald Trump's foray into doomed USFL |date=July 14, 2015 |website=] |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/13255737/five-things-know-donald-trump-usfl-experience}}</ref><ref name=Morris>{{cite news |url=https://fortune.com/2017/09/24/donald-trump-nfl-usfl/ |title=Donald Trump Fought the NFL Once Before. He Got Crushed |website=] |date=September 24, 2017 |accessdate=June 22, 2018 |last=Morris |first=David}}</ref>

Trump's businesses have hosted several boxing matches at the ] adjacent to and promoted as taking place at the Trump Plaza in Atlantic City, including ] against ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/02/25/sports/trump-gets-tyson-fight.html |title=Trump Gets Tyson Fight |accessdate=February 11, 2011 |date=February 25, 1988 |work=]}}</ref>{{sfn|O'Donnell|Rutherford|1991|p=137}} In 1989 and 1990, Trump lent his name to the ] cycling stage race, which was an attempt to create an American equivalent of European races such as the ] or the ].<ref name=Hogan>{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/04/donald-trump-2016-tour-de-trump-bike-race-213801 |title=The Strange Tale of Donald Trump's 1989 Biking Extravaganza |first=Kevin |last=Hogan |work=] |date=April 10, 2016 |accessdate=April 12, 2016}}</ref>

In the late 1980s, Trump mimicked the actions of Wall Street's so-called ]s, whose tactics had attracted wide public attention. Trump began to purchase significant blocks of shares in various public companies, leading some observers to think he was engaged in the practice called ], or feigning the intent to acquire the companies and then pressuring management to repurchase the buyer's stake at a premium. ''The New York Times'' found that Trump initially made millions of dollars in such stock transactions, but later "lost most, if not all, of those gains after investors stopped taking his takeover talk seriously".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/05/07/us/politics/donald-trump-taxes.html |title=Decade in the Red: Trump Tax Figures Show Over $1 Billion in Business Losses |first1=Russ |last1=Buettner |first2=Susanne |last2=Craig |date=May 8, 2019 |work=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/06/business/american-air-gets-trump-bid-of-7.5-billion.html |title=American Air Gets Trump Bid Of $7.5 Billion |first=Agis |last=Salpukas |date=October 6, 1989 |work=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/02/23/nyregion/trump-ends-his-struggle-to-gain-control-of-bally.html |title=Trump Ends His Struggle to Gain Control of Bally |first=Donald |last=Janson |date=February 23, 1987 |work=]}}</ref>
]]]

In 1988, Trump purchased the defunct ] shuttle, with 21 planes and landing rights in New York City, Boston, and Washington, D.C. He financed the purchase with $380&nbsp;million from 22 banks, rebranded the operation the ], and operated it until 1992. Trump failed to earn a profit with the airline and sold it to ].<ref name="plane_rumour">{{cite news |last=Kessler |first=Glenn |authorlink=Glenn Kessler (journalist) |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2016/08/11/too-good-to-check-sean-hannitys-tale-of-a-trump-rescue/ |title=Too good to check: Sean Hannity's tale of a Trump rescue |newspaper=] |date=August 11, 2016 |accessdate=March 14, 2019}}</ref>

From 1996 to 2015, Trump owned all or part of the ] pageants, including ] and ].<ref name="pageantsaleWME">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/15/business/media/trump-sells-miss-universe-organization-to-wme-img-talent-agency.html |title=Trump Sells Miss Universe Organization to WME-IMG Talent Agency |date=September 15, 2015 |work=] |accessdate=January 9, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-sells-miss-universe-img-2015-9 |title=Donald Trump just sold off the entire Miss Universe Organization |date=September 14, 2015 |work=] |accessdate=May 6, 2016}}</ref> Due to disagreements with ] about scheduling, he took both pageants to ] in 2002.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/22/business/three-beauty-pageants-leaving-cbs-for-nbc.html |title=Three Beauty Pageants Leaving CBS for NBC |date=June 22, 2002 |first=Jim |last=Rutenberg |authorlink=Jim Rutenberg |accessdate=August 14, 2016 |work=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2002/06/22/there-she-goes-pageants-move-to-nbc/2ba81b9a-bf67-4f3e-b8d6-1c2cc881ed19/ |title=There She Goes: Pageants Move to NBC |date=June 22, 2002 |first=Lisa |last=De Moraes |authorlink=Lisa de Moraes |work=] |accessdate=August 14, 2016}}</ref> In 2007, Trump received a star on the ] for his work as producer of Miss Universe.<ref name="cz160129">{{cite news |last=Zara |first=Christopher |authorlink=Christopher Zara |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/4023036/why-the-heck-does-donald-trump-have-a-walk-of-fame-star-anyway-its-not-the-reason-you-think |title=Why the heck does Donald Trump have a Walk of Fame star, anyway? It's not the reason you think |work=] |date=October 29, 2016 |accessdate=June 16, 2018}}</ref> After ] and ] dropped the pageants from their broadcasting lineups in June 2015,<ref name="mp">{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2015/06/29/nbc-dumps-trump/29471971/ |title=NBC to Donald Trump: You're fired |newspaper=] |first=Maria |last=Puente |date=July 1, 2015 |access-date=July 28, 2015}}</ref> Trump bought NBC's share of the Miss Universe Organization and sold the entire company to ].<ref>{{cite news |first=Jethro |last=Nededog |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/15/business/media/trump-sells-miss-universe-organization-to-wme-img-talent-agency.html |title=Trump Sells Miss Universe Organization to WME-IMG Talent Agency |date=September 15, 2015 |work=] |accessdate=February 5, 2016}}</ref>

==== Trump University ====

{{Main|Trump University}}

In 2004, Trump co-founded a company called ] which sold real estate training courses priced from $1,500 to $35,000.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gitell |first=Seth |date=March 8, 2016 |title=I Survived Trump University |url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/03/i-survived-trump-university-213710 |newspaper=] |accessdate=March 18, 2016}}</ref><ref name=vf>{{cite news |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2014/01/trump-university-fraud-scandal |title=Big Hair on Campus: Did Donald Trump Defraud Thousands of Real Estate Students? |last=Cohan |first=William D. |authorlink=William D. Cohan |website=] |accessdate=March 6, 2016}}</ref> After New York State authorities notified the company that its use of the word "university" violated state law, its name was changed to Trump Entrepreneur Initiative in 2010.<ref name=nyt511>{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Barbaro |authorlink=Michael Barbaro |title=New York Attorney General Is Investigating Trump's For-Profit School |date=May 19, 2011 |newspaper=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/20/nyregion/trumps-for-profit-school-said-to-be-under-investigation.html}}</ref>

In 2013, the State of New York filed a $40&nbsp;million civil suit against Trump University; the suit alleged that the company made false statements and defrauded consumers.<ref name="AppealsCourt2016">{{cite news |first=David |last=Halperin |title=NY Court Refuses to Dismiss Trump University Case, Describes Fraud Allegations |date=March 1, 2016 |website=] |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/davidhalperin/ny-court-refuses-to-dismi_b_9358360.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2016/02/27/donald-trumps-misleading-claim-that-hes-won-most-of-lawsuits-over-trump-university/ |first=Michelle Ye Hee |last=Lee |title=Donald Trump's misleading claim that he's 'won most of' lawsuits over Trump University |newspaper=] |date=February 27, 2016 |accessdate=February 27, 2016}}</ref> In addition, two ]s were filed in federal court; they named Trump personally as well as his companies. Internal documents revealed that employees were instructed to use a hard-sell approach, and former employees said in depositions that Trump University had defrauded or lied to its students.<ref name=twofront>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/08/26/trump-entrepreneur-initiative-case/2700811/ |title=Trump faces two-front legal fight over 'university' |work=] |first=Kevin |last=McCoy |date=August 26, 2013}}</ref><ref name=ronald_tu>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/01/us/politics/donald-trump-university.html |title=Former Trump University Workers Call the School a 'Lie' and a 'Scheme' in Testimony |last1=Barbaro |first1=Michael |author1link=Michael Barbaro |last2=Eder |first2=Steve |date=May 31, 2016 |website=] |accessdate=March 24, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2016/06/01/480279246/hard-sell-the-potential-political-consequences-of-the-trump-university-documents |title=Hard Sell: The Potential Political Consequences of the Trump University Documents |last=Montenaro |first=Domenico |date=June 1, 2016 |publisher=] |accessdate=June 2, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=May 30, 2016 |accessdate=June 2, 2016 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/31/us/judge-orders-documents-unsealed-in-trump-university-lawsuit.html |work=] |title=Judge Orders Documents Unsealed in Trump University Lawsuit |agency=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Hamburger |first=Tom |authorlink=Tom Hamburger |title=Judge bashed by Trump orders release of company records |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/judge-orders-release-of-internal-trump-university-documents/2016/05/28/2e960e5e-24f9-11e6-8690-f14ca9de2972_story.html |accessdate=June 3, 2016 |work=] |date=May 28, 2016}}</ref> Shortly after he won the presidency, Trump agreed to pay a total of $25&nbsp;million to settle the three cases.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/19/us/politics/trump-university.html |title=Donald Trump Agrees to Pay $25 Million in Trump University Settlement |last=Eder |first=Steve |date=November 18, 2016 |work=] |accessdate=November 18, 2016}}</ref>

=== Foundation ===

{{Main|Donald J. Trump Foundation}}

The Donald J. Trump Foundation was a U.S.-based private foundation established in 1988 for the initial purpose of giving away proceeds from the book ''Trump: The Art of the Deal''.<ref name=":0b">{{cite news |url=https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133404773 |title=Nonprofit Explorer – ProPublica |website=] |first1=Mike |last1=Tigas |first2=Sisi |last2=Wei |accessdate=September 9, 2016}}</ref><ref name=":1b">{{Cite news |first=David A. |last=Fahrenthold |authorlink=David Fahrenthold |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/09/01/trump-pays-irs-a-penalty-for-his-foundation-violating-rules-with-gift-to-florida-attorney-general/ |title=Trump pays IRS a penalty for his foundation violating rules with gift to aid Florida attorney general |website=] |date=September 1, 2016}}</ref> In the foundation's final years its funds mostly came from donors other than Trump, who did not donate any personal funds to the charity from 2009 until 2014.<ref name="WaPoMissing">{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/a-portrait-of-trump-the-donor-free-rounds-of-golf-but-no-personal-cash/2016/04/10/373b9b92-fb40-11e5-9140-e61d062438bb_story.html |title=Missing from Trump's list of charitable giving: His own personal cash |date=April 10, 2016 |first1=David A. |last1=Fahrenthold |author1link=David Fahrenthold |last2=Helderman |first2=Rosalind S. |author2link=Rosalind Helderman |newspaper=]}}</ref> The foundation gave to health care and sports-related charities, as well as conservative groups.<ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=September 15, 2016 |first=Claude |last=Solnik |title=Taking a peek at Trump's (foundation) tax returns |url=https://libn.com/2016/09/15/taking-a-peek-at-trumps-foundation-tax-returns/}}</ref>

In 2016, ''The Washington Post'' reported that the charity had committed several potential legal and ethical violations, including alleged self-dealing and possible tax evasion.<ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=September 15, 2016 |first1=Chris |last1=Cillizza |author1link=Chris Cillizza |first2=David A. |last2=Fahrenthold |author2link=David Fahrenthold |title=Meet the reporter who's giving Donald Trump fits |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/news/the-fix/wp/2016/09/15/how-the-reporter-behind-the-trump-foundation-stories-does-it/}}</ref> Also in 2016, the New York State Attorney General's office said the foundation appeared to be in violation of New York laws regarding charities and ordered it to immediately cease its fundraising activities in New York.<ref name="hit">{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/09/13/politics/eric-schneiderman-donald-trump-foundation/ |title=NY attorney general is investigating Trump Foundation practices |date=September 14, 2016 |website=] |accessdate=September 25, 2016 |last1=Bradner |first1=Eric |last2=Frehse |first2=Rob}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=October 3, 2016 |first=David A. |last=Fahrenthold |authorlink=David Fahrenthold |title=Trump Foundation ordered to stop fundraising by N.Y. attorney general's office |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-foundation-ordered-to-stop-fundraising-by-ny-attorney-generals-office/2016/10/03/1d4d295a-8987-11e6-bff0-d53f592f176e_story.html}}</ref> Trump's team announced in late December 2016 that the Foundation would be dissolved to remove "even the appearance of any conflict with role as President".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/dec/24/trump-university-shut-down-conflict-of-interest |title=Donald Trump to dissolve his charitable foundation after mounting complaints |last=Jacobs |first=Ben |authorlink=Ben Jacobs (journalist) |date=December 24, 2016 |newspaper=] |accessdate=December 25, 2016}}</ref>

In June 2018 the New York attorney general's office filed a civil suit against the foundation, Trump himself, and his adult children, asking for $2.8&nbsp;million in restitution and additional penalties.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/06/14/politics/new-york-lawsuit-trump-foundation/index.html |title=New York attorney general sues Trump Foundation |website=] |first1=Chris |last1=Isidore |first2=Melanie |last2=Schuman |date=June 14, 2018 |accessdate=June 15, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/392392-five-things-to-know-about-the-lawsuit-against-the-trump-foundation |title=Five things to know about the lawsuit against the Trump Foundation |last=Thomsen |first=Jacqueline |date=June 14, 2018 |work=] |accessdate=June 15, 2018}}</ref> In December 2018, the foundation ceased operation and disbursed all its assets to other charities.<ref name=Goldmacher-181218>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/18/nyregion/ny-ag-underwood-trump-foundation.html |title=Trump Foundation Will Dissolve, Accused of 'Shocking Pattern of Illegality' |work=] |date=December 18, 2018 |accessdate=May 9, 2019 |first=Shane |last=Goldmacher}}</ref> The following November, a New York state judge ordered Trump to pay $2&nbsp;million to a group of charities for misusing the foundation's funds, in part to finance his presidential campaign.<ref name=Katersky-191107>{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/trump-foundation-ordered-pay-2m-collection-nonprofits-part/story?id=66827235 |title=President Donald Trump ordered to pay $2M to collection of nonprofits as part of civil lawsuit |work=] |date=November 7, 2019 |accessdate=November 7, 2019 |first=Aaron |last=Katersky}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50338231 |title=Judge orders Trump to pay $2m for misusing Trump Foundation funds |date=November 8, 2019 |work=] |accessdate=March 5, 2020}}</ref>

=== Conflicts of interest ===

], then the prime minister of Turkey, attended the opening of ] AVM in 2012.]]

Before being inaugurated as president, Trump moved his businesses into a ] run by his eldest sons and a business associate.<ref name="NPR012018">{{cite news |first=Marilyn |last=Geewax |title=Trump Has Revealed Assumptions About Handling Presidential Wealth, Businesses |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/01/20/576871315/trump-has-revealed-assumptions-about-handling-presidential-wealth-businesses |website=] |date=January 20, 2018}}</ref><ref name="BBC041817">{{cite news |title=A list of Trump's potential conflicts |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38069298 |work=] |date=April 18, 2017}}</ref> According to ethics experts, measures taken by Trump do not help avoid conflicts of interest as long as he continues to profit from his businesses.<ref name="Venook">{{cite news |last=Venook |first=Jeremy |title=Trump's Interests vs. America's, Dubai Edition |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2017/08/donald-trump-conflicts-of-interests/508382/ |work=] |date=August 9, 2017}}</ref> Because Trump would have knowledge of how his administration's policies affect his businesses, ethics experts recommend selling the businesses.<ref name="BBC041817" /> Though Trump said he would eschew "new foreign deals", the Trump Organization has since pursued expansions of its operations in Dubai, Scotland, and the Dominican Republic.<ref name="Venook"/>

Multiple lawsuits have been filed alleging that Trump is violating the ] of the ], which forbids presidents from taking money from foreign governments, due to his business interests; they argue that these interests allow foreign governments to influence him.<ref name="Venook" /><ref name="LaFraniere">{{cite news |last=LaFraniere |first=Sharon |authorlink=Sharon LaFraniere |title=Lawsuit on Trump Emoluments Violations Gains Traction in Court |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/25/us/politics/trump-emoluments-lawsuit.html |date=January 25, 2018 |work=] |accessdate=January 25, 2018}}</ref> Previous presidents in the modern era have either divested their holdings or put them in blind trusts,<ref name="NPR012018" /> and he is the first president to be sued over the emoluments clause.<ref name="LaFraniere" /> According to ''The Guardian'', "NBC News recently calculated that representatives of at least 22 foreign governments{{snd}}including some facing charges of corruption or human rights abuses such as Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Turkey and the Philippines{{snd}}seem to have spent funds at Trump properties while he has been president."<ref>{{cite news |title=How Trump's businesses are booming with lobbyists, donors and governments |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/19/donald-trump-businesses-hotels-conflict-of-interest |work=] |date=July 19, 2019 |first=Peter |last=Stone}}</ref> On October 21, 2019, Trump mocked the Emoluments Clause as "phony".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/10/21/donald-trump-mocks-constitution-emoluments-clause-phony/4055162002/ |title='Phony'. Donald Trump mocks 'emoluments' clause of U.S. Constitution that bans foreign gifts |last=Subramanian |first=Courtney |last2=Collins |first2=Michael |last3=Jackson |first3=David |date=October 21, 2019 |newspaper=] |access-date=December 8, 2019}}</ref>

In 2015, Trump said he "makes a lot of money with" the ] and that "they pay me millions and hundreds of millions."<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump stands by Saudi prince despite journalist Khashoggi's murder |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-khashoggi-trump/trump-stands-by-saudi-prince-despite-journalist-khashoggis-murder-idUSKCN1NP26Y |work=] |date=November 20, 2018}}</ref> And at a political rally, Trump said about Saudi Arabia: "They buy apartments from me. They spend $40&nbsp;million, $50&nbsp;million. Am I supposed to dislike them? I like them very much."<ref>{{cite news |title=President Trump has a massive conflict of interest on Saudi Arabia |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2018/10/18/president-trump-has-massive-conflict-interest-saudi-arabia/ |work=] |date=October 18, 2018}}</ref>

In December 2015, Trump said in a radio interview that he had a "conflict of interest" in dealing with ] and Turkish president ] because of his ], saying "I have a little conflict of interest because I have a major, major building in Istanbul and it's a tremendously successful job{{nbsp}}... It's called Trump Towers{{snd}}two towers instead of one{{nbsp}}... I've gotten to know Turkey very well."<ref>{{cite news |first=Philip|last=Bump|title=Trump's decision on Syria crystallizes questions about his business – and his presidency |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/10/07/trumps-decision-syria-crystallizes-questions-about-his-business-his-presidency/? |work=] |date=October 7, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Donald Trump's longtime business connections in Turkey back in the spotlight |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/donald-trump-s-longtime-business-connections-turkey-back-spotlight-n1064011 |work=] |date=October 9, 2019 |first1=Heidi |last1=Przybyla |first2=Anna |last2=Schecter}}</ref>

== Media career ==

{{Main|Media career of Donald Trump}}

=== Books ===

{{Main|Bibliography of Donald Trump}}

Trump's first book, '']'' (1987), was on the ] for 48 weeks. According to '']'', "The book expanded Trump's renown far beyond New York City, promoting an image of himself as a successful dealmaker and tycoon." Trump was credited as the book's co-author with ]. Schwartz later said he had done all the writing, and this was confirmed by ], who at the time the book appeared was head of its publisher, ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/07/25/donald-trumps-ghostwriter-tells-all |title=Donald Trump's Ghostwriter Tells All |magazine=] |first=Jane |last=Mayer |authorlink=Jane Mayer |date=July 18, 2016 |accessdate=June 19, 2017}}</ref> Trump has called ''The Art of the Deal'' his second favorite book, after the Bible.<ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Neil |first=Luke |date=June 2, 2020 |title=What do we know about Trump's love for the Bible? |work=] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jun/02/what-do-we-know-about-trumps-love-for-the-bible |access-date=June 11, 2020}}</ref>

Two lesser memoirs were published in 1990 and 1997.

=== WWE ===

Trump has had a sporadic relationship with the ] promotion ] (World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment) since the late 1980s.<ref name="myth">{{cite news |last=Lelinwalla |first=Mark |url=https://www.techtimes.com/articles/138117/20160304/donald-trumps-history-wwe.htm |title=Looking Back At Donald Trump's WWE Career |website=Tech Times |date=March 4, 2016|access-date=July 6, 2019}}</ref><ref name=wwebio>{{cite web |url=https://www.wwe.com/superstars/donald-trump |title=Donald Trump bio |website=] |accessdate=March 14, 2015}}</ref> He headlined the record-breaking ] in 2007 and was inducted into the celebrity wing of the ].<ref name="chief heel">{{cite news |last1=Kelly |first1=Chris |last2=Wetherbee |first2=Brandon |url=https://slate.com/culture/2016/12/donald-trump-learned-his-political-moves-from-wwe.html |title=Heel in Chief |work=] |date=December 9, 2016 |access-date=March 5, 2019}}</ref> WWE co-founder and former CEO ] later worked in his administration and election campaigns.<ref name="chief heel"/>

=== ''The Apprentice'' ===

{{Main|The Apprentice (American TV series)}}

In 2003, Trump became the co-producer and host of ''The Apprentice'', a ] in which Trump played the role of a powerful ] and contestants competed for a year of employment at the Trump Organization. Trump winnowed out contestants with his famous ] "You're fired".<ref name="born_7-17-16">{{cite news |last1=Grynbaum |first1=Michael M. |last2=Parker |first2=Ashley |author2link=Ashley Parker |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/17/business/media/donald-trump-apprentice.html |title=Donald Trump the Political Showman, Born on 'The Apprentice' |work=] |date=July 16, 2016 |accessdate=July 8, 2018}}</ref> He later co-hosted '']'', in which celebrities competed to win money for charities.<ref name="born_7-17-16" />

=== Acting ===

{{Main|Donald Trump filmography}}

Trump has made ] in eight films and television shows<ref name=Atlantic>{{cite news |first=Adrienne |last=LaFrance |title=Three Decades of Donald Trump Film and TV Cameos |date=December 21, 2015 |website=] |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/12/three-decades-of-donald-trump-film-and-tv-cameos/421257/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Lockett |first=Dee |url=https://www.vulture.com/2016/06/donald-trump-was-in-the-little-rascals.html |title=Yes, Donald Trump Did Actually Play a Spoiled Rich Kid's Dad in The Little Rascals |work=Vulture |date=June 21, 2016 |accessdate=July 14, 2018}}</ref> and performed a song as a '']'' character with ] at the ] in 2005.<ref>{{cite news |last=Shanley |first=Patrick |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/megan-mullally-donald-trump-emmys-stephen-colbert-2016-12 |title=Emmys Flashback: When Trump Sang the 'Green Acres' Theme in Overalls |work=] |date=September 15, 2016 |accessdate=July 14, 2018}}</ref>

=== Talk shows ===

Starting in the 1990s, Trump was a guest about 24 times on the nationally syndicated '']''.{{sfn|Kranish|Fisher|2017|p=}} He also had his own short-form talk radio program called '']'' (one to two minutes on weekdays) from 2004 to 2008.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.people.com/people/article/0,,632500,00.html |title=The Donald to Get New Wife, Radio Show |work=] |date=April 29, 2004 |accessdate=November 19, 2013 |first=Stephen M. |last=Silverman |authorlink=Stephen M. Silverman}}</ref><!-- Only sources I find are from 2004 like this: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20040607005748/en/Trumped!-Donald-Trump-Biggest-Launch-Radio-History --><ref>{{cite news |first=Bob |last=Tedeschi |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/06/technology/now-for-sale-online-the-art-of-the-vacation.html |title=Now for Sale Online, the Art of the Vacation |work=] |date=February 6, 2006 |accessdate=October 21, 2018}}</ref> In 2011, he was given a weekly unpaid guest commentator spot on '']'' which continued until he started his presidential candidacy in 2015.<ref>{{cite news |last=Montopoli |first=Brian |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-gets-regular-fox-news-spot/ |title=Donald Trump gets regular Fox News spot |website=] |date=April 1, 2011 |accessdate=July 7, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Grossman |first1=Matt |last2=Hopkins |first2=David A. |title=How the conservative media is taking over the Republican Party |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/09/09/how-the-conservative-media-is-taking-over-the-republican-party/ |accessdate=October 19, 2018 |work=] |date=September 9, 2016}}</ref>

== Political career ==

{{Main|Political career of Donald Trump}}

=== Political activities up to 2015 ===

] in June 2000]]

Trump's political party affiliation changed numerous times. He registered as a Republican in Manhattan in 1987, switched to the Reform Party in 1999, the Democratic Party in 2001, and back to the Republican Party in 2009.<ref name="PolitiFact.24.Aug.15">{{cite news |last=Gillin |first=Joshua |title=Bush says Trump was a Democrat longer than a Republican 'in the last decade' |url=https://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2015/aug/24/jeb-bush/bush-says-trump-was-democrat-longer-republican-las/ |accessdate=March 18, 2017 |website=] |date=August 24, 2015}}</ref>

In 1987, Trump placed full-page advertisements in three major newspapers,<ref name="hint">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/02/nyregion/trump-gives-a-vague-hint-of-candidacy.html |title=Trump Gives a Vague Hint of Candidacy |newspaper=] |first=Michael |last=Oreskes |authorlink=Michael Oreskes |date=September 2, 1987 |accessdate=February 17, 2016}}</ref> advocating peace in Central America, accelerated nuclear disarmament talks with the Soviet Union, and reduction of the federal budget deficit by making American allies pay "their fair share" for military defense.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/11/18/us/trump-urged-to-head-gala-of-democrats.html |title=Trump Urged To Head Gala Of Democrats |newspaper=] |date=November 18, 1987 |first=Fox |last=Butterfield}}</ref> He ruled out running for local office but not for the presidency.<ref name="hint"/>

==== 2000 presidential campaign ====

{{Main|Donald Trump 2000 presidential campaign}}

In 1999, Trump filed an ] to seek the nomination of the ] for the 2000 presidential election.<ref name=NYTimes.Revolution>{{cite news |first=Donald J. |last=Trump |title=What I Saw at the Revolution |date=February 19, 2000 |website=] |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/19/opinion/what-i-saw-at-the-revolution.html}}</ref><ref name=Winger-111225>{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Winger |authorlink=Richard Winger |title=Donald Trump Ran For President in 2000 in Several Reform Party Presidential Primaries |date=December 25, 2011 |website=] |url=https://ballot-access.org/2011/12/25/donald-trump-ran-for-president-in-2000-in-several-reform-party-presidential-primaries/}}</ref> A July 1999 poll matching him against likely Republican nominee ] and likely Democratic nominee ] showed Trump with seven percent support.<ref>{{cite news |title=Donald Trump eyeing a run at the White House |last=Johnson |first=Glen |work=Standard-Speaker |location=Hazelton, Pennsylvania}}</ref> Trump dropped out of the race in February 2000.<ref>{{cite news |last=Clift |first=Eleanor |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-last-time-trump-wrecked-a-party |title=The Last Time Trump Wrecked a Party |newspaper=] |date=April 13, 2017 |accessdate=February 25, 2020}}</ref>

==== 2012 presidential speculation ====

]

Trump speculated about running for president in ], making his first speaking appearance at the ] (CPAC) in February 2011 and giving speeches in early primary states.<ref name="McA">{{cite news |last=MacAskill |first=Ewen |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/may/16/donald-trump-us-presidential-race |title=Donald Trump bows out of 2012 US presidential election race |work=] |date=May 16, 2011 |access-date=February 28, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bobic |first1=Igor |last2=Stein |first2=Sam |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/donald-trump-cpac_n_58adc0f4e4b03d80af7141cf |title=How CPAC Helped Launch Donald Trump's Political Career |work=] |date=February 22, 2017 |access-date=February 28, 2020}}</ref> In May 2011 he announced he would not run.<ref name="McA"/>

Trump's presidential ambitions were generally not taken seriously at the time.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/11/donald-trump-cpac-president-act_n_821923.html |title=Donald Trump Brings His 'Pretend To Run For President' Act To CPAC |work=] |accessdate=April 21, 2011 |first=Jason |last=Linkins |date=February 11, 2011}}</ref> Before the 2016 election, ''The New York Times'' speculated that Trump "accelerated his ferocious efforts to gain stature within the political world" after Obama lampooned him at the ] Dinner in April 2011.<ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=March 12, 2016 |first1=Maggie |last1=Haberman |author1link=Maggie Haberman |first2=Alexander |last2=Burns |author2link=Alex Burns (journalist) |title=Donald Trump's Presidential Run Began in an Effort to Gain Stature |accessdate=April 13, 2018 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/13/us/politics/donald-trump-campaign.html}}</ref>

In 2011, the superintendent of the New York Military Academy at the time, Jeffrey Coverdale, ordered the headmaster of the school, Evan Jones, to give him Trump's academic records so he could keep them secret, according to Jones. Coverdale confirmed that he had been asked to hand the records over to members of the school's board of trustees who were Trump's friends, but he refused to and instead sealed them on campus. The incident reportedly happened days after Trump demanded the release of President Barack Obama's academic records.<ref>{{cite news |date=March 5, 2019 |last1=Fisher |first1=Marc |authorlink=Marc Fisher |title='Grab that record': How Trump's high school transcript was hidden |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/grab-that-record-how-trumps-high-school-transcript-was-hidden/2019/03/05/8815b7b8-3c61-11e9-aaae-69364b2ed137_story.html |website=] |accessdate=June 9, 2019}}</ref>

==== 2013–2015 ====

In 2013, Trump spoke at CPAC again;<ref name="CPAC1">{{cite news |title=Donald Trump to address CPAC |url=https://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/donald-trump-address-cpac-205409450--politics.html |website=] |date=March 5, 2013 |first=Chris |last=Moody |accessdate=March 6, 2013}}</ref> he railed against illegal immigration, bemoaned Obama's "unprecedented media protection", advised against harming Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, and suggested the government "take" Iraq's oil and use the proceeds to pay a million dollars each to families of dead soldiers.<ref>{{cite news |first=Lucy |last=Madison |title=Trump: Immigration reform a "suicide mission" for GOP |date=March 15, 2013 |website=] |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-immigration-reform-a-suicide-mission-for-gop/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Dan |last=Amira |title=Photos of Donald Trump Delivering His Self-Aggrandizing CPAC Speech to a Half-Empty Ballroom |date=March 15, 2013 |website=] (magazine) |url=https://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/03/donald-trump-cpac-speech-empty-seat-photos.html}}</ref> He spent over $1&nbsp;million that year to research a possible 2016 candidacy.<ref name="NYPost2016">{{cite news |title=Trump researching 2016 run |date=May 27, 2013 |website=] |url=https://pagesix.com/2013/05/27/trump-researching-2016-run/}}</ref>

In October 2013, New York Republicans circulated a memo suggesting Trump should run for governor of the state in 2014 against ]. Trump responded that while New York had problems and its taxes were too high, he was not interested in the governorship.<ref>{{cite news |last=Spector |first=Joseph |title=N.Y. Republicans want Donald Trump to run for governor |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/10/14/trump-new-york-governor/2979589/ |work=] |date=October 14, 2013 |accessdate=October 31, 2013}}</ref> A February 2014 Quinnipiac poll had shown Trump losing to the more popular Cuomo by 37 points in a hypothetical election.<ref>{{cite news |last=Miller |first=Jake |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-trumped-by-andrew-cuomo-in-new-york-governor-race-poll-finds/ |title=Trump trumped by Cuomo in N.Y. governor race, poll finds |date=February 13, 2014 |website=] |accessdate=February 9, 2017}}</ref>

According to Trump's attorney ], in May 2015 he sent letters to the New York Military Academy and to Fordham, threatening legal action if the schools ever released Trump's grades or SAT scores; Fordham confirmed receipt of the letter as well as a phone call from a member of the Trump team.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.vox.com/2019/2/27/18243099/michael-cohen-trump-fordham-grades |title=Michael Cohen: I threatened Fordham to keep quiet about Trump's SAT scores and grades |last=Coaston |first=Jane |date=February 27, 2019 |work=] |accessdate=March 3, 2020}}</ref>

=== 2016 presidential campaign ===

{{Main|Donald Trump 2016 presidential campaign}}

==== Republican primaries ====

{{See also|2016 Republican Party presidential primaries}}
], July 2015]]

On June 16, 2015, Trump announced his candidacy for President of the United States in a "bizarre spectacle" at Trump Tower in Manhattan.<ref name="spectacle">{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/donald-trump-2016-announcement-10-best-lines-119066 |first=Adam B. |last=Lerner |title=The 10 best lines from Donald Trump's announcement speech |work=] |date=June 16, 2015 |accessdate=June 7, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/05/trumps-self-funding-lie/482691/ |title=The Lie of Trump's 'Self-Funding' Campaign |work=] |first=David A. |last=Graham |date=May 13, 2016 |accessdate=June 7, 2018}}</ref>

Trump's campaign was initially not taken seriously by political analysts, but he quickly rose to the top of opinion polls.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://newrepublic.com/article/123228/how-donald-trump-evolved-joke-almost-serious-candidate |date=October 27, 2015 |first=Elspeth |last=Reeve |title=How Donald Trump Evolved From a Joke to an Almost Serious Candidate |work=] |accessdate=July 23, 2018}}</ref>

On ], Trump received the most votes, and he remained the front-runner throughout the primaries. By March 2016, Trump was poised to win the Republican nomination.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/03/23/why-donald-trump-is-poised-to-win-the-nomination-and-lose-the-general-election-in-one-poll/ |title=Why Donald Trump is poised to win the nomination and lose the general election, in one poll |last=Bump |first=Philip |date=March 23, 2016 |work=]}}</ref> After a landslide win in ] on May 3, 2016{{snd}}which prompted the remaining candidates Cruz and ] to suspend their presidential campaigns{{snd}}] chairman ] declared Trump the presumptive Republican nominee.<ref name="politico_priebus">{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/blogs/2016-gop-primary-live-updates-and-results/2016/05/reince-priebus-donald-trump-is-nominee-222767 |title=RNC Chairman: Trump is our nominee |last=Nussbaum |first=Matthew |date=May 3, 2016 |accessdate=May 4, 2016 |work=]}}</ref>

==== General election campaign ====

After becoming the presumptive Republican nominee, Trump shifted his focus to the ]. Trump began campaigning against Hillary Clinton, who became the presumptive Democratic nominee on June 6, 2016.

Clinton had established a significant lead over Trump in ] throughout most of 2016. In early July, Clinton's lead narrowed in national polling averages following the FBI's re-opening the investigation into her ongoing ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/amp/poll-clinton-trump-now-tied-gop-convention-kicks-n611936 |title=Poll: Clinton and Trump Now Tied as GOP Convention Kicks Off |last1=Hartig |first1=Hannah |last2=Lapinski |first2=John |last3=Psyllos |first3=Stephanie |date=July 19, 2016 |website=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://elections.huffingtonpost.com/pollster/2016-general-election-trump-vs-clinton |title=2016 General Election: Trump vs. Clinton |accessdate=October 3, 2016 |website=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/us/general_election_trump_vs_clinton-5491.html |title=General Election: Trump vs. Clinton |accessdate=October 3, 2016 |website=RealClearPolitics}}</ref>
] at the ], July 2016]]

On July 15, 2016, Trump announced his selection of Indiana governor ] as his running mate.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/07/15/donald-trump-officially-names-mike-pence-as-his-vp.html |title=Donald Trump officially names Mike Pence for VP |last=Levingston |first=Ivan |date=July 15, 2016 |website=]}}</ref> Four days later, the two were officially nominated by the Republican Party at the Republican National Convention.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/07/19/republicans-start-process-to-nominate-trump-for-president.html |title=Trump closes the deal, becomes Republican nominee for president |date=July 19, 2016 |website=]}}</ref> The list of convention speakers and attendees included former presidential nominee ], but the other prior nominees did not attend.<ref name="missing">{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/2016-conventions/9-elephants-room-rnc-what-s-missing-speakers-list-n609471 |title=9 Elephants in the Room at RNC: Who's Missing From the Speakers List |last=Timm |first=Jane C. |date=July 17, 2016 |accessdate=August 16, 2016 |website=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/05/05/politics/john-mccain-jeff-flake-donald-trump/ |title=Flake, McCain split over backing Trump |last=Raju |first=Manu |authorlink=Manu Raju |date=May 5, 2016 |accessdate=May 7, 2016 |website=]}}</ref>

On September 26, 2016, Trump and Clinton faced off in ], which was held at ] in ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uspresidentialelectionnews.com/2016-debate-schedule/2016-presidential-debate-schedule/ |title=2016 Presidential Debate Schedule |date=September 23, 2015 |accessdate=September 30, 2016}}</ref> The ] was held at ], Missouri. The ] was held on October 19 at the ]. Trump's refusal to say whether he would accept the result of the election, regardless of the outcome, drew particular attention, with some saying it undermined democracy.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-us-2016-37706499 |title=US presidential debate: Trump won't commit to accept election result |date=October 20, 2016 |accessdate=October 27, 2016 |work=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-20/how-the-us-media-viewed-the-third-presidential-debate/7950418 |title=How US media reacted to the third presidential debate |date=October 20, 2016 |accessdate=October 27, 2016 |website=]}}</ref>

==== Political positions ====

{{Main|Political positions of Donald Trump}}

Trump's campaign platform emphasized renegotiating ] and free trade agreements such as ] and the ], strongly enforcing immigration laws, and building ] along the U.S.–Mexico border. His other campaign positions included pursuing ] while opposing climate change regulations such as the ] and the ], modernizing and expediting ], repealing and replacing the ], abolishing ] education standards, ], simplifying the ] while reducing taxes for all economic classes, and imposing ]s on imports by companies that offshore jobs. During the campaign, he also advocated a largely ] approach to foreign policy while increasing military spending, extreme vetting or banning immigrants from Muslim-majority countries<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-37982000 |title=Trump's promises before and after election |date=September 19, 2017 |work=]}}</ref> to pre-empt domestic Islamic terrorism, and aggressive military action against the ]. During the campaign Trump repeatedly called ] "obsolete".<ref>{{Cite news |first=Jenna |last=Johnson |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/04/12/trump-on-nato-i-said-it-was-obsolete-its-no-longer-obsolete/ |title=Trump on NATO: 'I said it was obsolete. It's no longer obsolete.' |newspaper=] |date=April 12, 2017 |accessdate=November 26, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |issn=0146-3373 |year=2018 |doi=10.1080/01463373.2018.1438485 |title=Make America Great Again: Donald Trump and Redefining the U.S. Role in the World |quote=On the campaign trail, Trump repeatedly called North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) 'obsolete'. |journal=] |volume=66 |issue=2<!-- |pages=176–195 --> |page=176 |first=Jason A. |last=Edwards}}</ref>

His political positions have been described as ],<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |title=What Is Populism? |last=Muller |first=Jan-Werner |publisher=] |year=2016 |isbn=978-0-8122-9378-4 |page=101}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/27/magazine/how-can-donald-trump-and-bernie-sanders-both-be-populist.html |title=How Can Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders Both Be 'Populist'? |last=Kazin |first=Michael |authorlink=Michael Kazin |date=March 22, 2016 |work=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/02/donald-trump-working-class-voters-219231 |title=Trump's 6 populist positions |last=Becker |first=Bernie |date=February 13, 2016 |website=]}}</ref> and some of his views cross party lines. For example, his economic campaign plan calls for deregulation and large reductions in income taxes, consistent with Republican Party policies,<ref name="Donaldjtrump.com">{{cite web |url=https://www.donaldjtrump.com/positions/tax-reform |title=Tax Reform |website=Donald J. Trump for president website |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104052211/https://www.donaldjtrump.com/positions/tax-reform |archivedate=January 4, 2016 |accessdate=January 6, 2016}}</ref> along with significant infrastructure investment, usually considered a Democratic Party policy.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-democrats-support-infrastructure-overhaul-pledge-1-trillion-rebuild-president-elect-a7488396.html |title=Democrats can finally agree with Donald Trump on something |last=Sharman |first=Jon |date=December 21, 2016 |accessdate=December 21, 2016 |website=]}}</ref> Trump has supported or leaned toward varying political positions over time.<ref name="davida.fahrenthold">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/08/17/20-times-donald-trump-has-changed-his-mind-since-june/ |title=20 times Donald Trump has changed his mind since June |last=Fahrenthold |first=David A. |authorlink=David Fahrenthold |date=August 17, 2015 |work=]}}</ref><ref name="thehillFLIP">{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/247643-meet-the-press-tracks-trumps-flip-flops |title='Meet the Press' tracks Trump's flip-flops |last=Hensch |first=Mark |date=July 12, 2015 |work=]}}</ref> '']'' has described his positions as "eclectic, improvisational and often contradictory",<ref name="real Donald">{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/will-the-real-donald-trump-please-stand-up-120607 |title=Will the real Donald Trump please stand up? |last=Noah |first=Timothy |authorlink=Timothy Noah |date=July 26, 2015 |newspaper=]}}</ref> while NBC News counted "141 distinct shifts on 23 major issues" during his campaign.<ref name="nbcnews.com">{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/full-list-donald-trump-s-rapidly-changing-policy-positions-n547801 |title=A Full List of Donald Trump's Rapidly Changing Policy Positions |last=Timm |first=Jane C. |accessdate=July 12, 2016 |website=]}}</ref>

==== Campaign rhetoric ====

In his campaign, Trump said he disdained ]; he also said the media had intentionally misinterpreted his words, and he made other claims of adverse ].<ref name=Walsh-160724>{{cite news |first=Kenneth T. |last=Walsh |authorlink=Kenneth T. Walsh |title=Trump: Media Is 'Dishonest and Corrupt' |date=August 15, 2016 |website=] |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-08-15/trump-media-is-dishonest-and-corrupt |quote='If the disgusting and corrupt media covered me honestly and didn't put false meaning into the words I say, I would be beating Hillary by twenty percent,' Trump also tweeted Sunday.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Ted |last=Koppel |authorlink=Ted Koppel |title=Trump: "I feel I'm an honest person" |date=July 24, 2016 |website=] |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-i-feel-im-an-honest-person/ |quote=Well, I think that I'm an honest person{{nbsp}}... I feel I'm an honest person. And I don't mind being criticized at all by the media, but I do wanna{{snd}}you know, I do want them to be straight about it.}}</ref><ref name=Blake-150706>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/07/06/donald-trumps-failing-war-on-political-correctness/ |title=Donald Trump is waging war on political correctness. And he's losing. |first=Aaron |last=Blake |date=July 6, 2015 |work=]}}</ref> In part due to his fame, and due to his willingness to say things other candidates would not, and because a candidate who is gaining ground automatically provides a compelling news story, Trump received an unprecedented amount of ] during his run for the presidency, which elevated his standing in the Republican primaries.<ref name=Cillizza-160614>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/06/14/this-harvard-study-is-a-powerful-indictment-of-the-medias-role-in-donald-trumps-rise/ |title=This Harvard study is a powerful indictment of the media's role in Donald Trump's rise |first=Chris |last=Cillizza |authorlink=Chris Cillizza |date=June 14, 2016 |work=]}}</ref>

Fact-checking organizations have denounced Trump for making a record number of false statements compared to other candidates.<ref name="whoppers">{{cite news |url=https://www.factcheck.org/2015/12/the-king-of-whoppers-donald-trump/ |title=The 'King of Whoppers': Donald Trump |website=] |date=December 21, 2015}}</ref><ref name="year">{{cite news |url=https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2015/dec/21/2015-lie-year-donald-trump-campaign-misstatements/ |title=2015 Lie of the Year: the campaign misstatements of Donald Trump |website=] |date=December 21, 2015 |first1=Angie Drobnic |last1=Holan |author1link=Angie Drobnic Holan |first2=Linda |last2=Qiu}}</ref><ref name="wapo-false">{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Farhi |title=Think Trump's wrong? Fact checkers can tell you how often. (Hint: A lot.) |date=February 26, 2016 |website=] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/the-existential-crisis-of-professional-factcheckers-in-the-year-of-trump/2016/02/25/e994f210-db3e-11e5-81ae-7491b9b9e7df_story.html}}</ref> At least four major publications{{snd}}''Politico'', ''The Washington Post'', ''The New York Times'', and the '']''{{snd}}have pointed out lies or falsehoods in his campaign statements, with the ''Los Angeles Times'' saying, "Never in modern presidential politics has a major candidate made false statements as routinely as Trump has."<ref>{{cite news |website=] |url=https://money.cnn.com/2016/09/25/media/newspapers-donald-trump-hillary-clinton-lies/index.html |title=The weekend America's newspapers called Donald Trump a liar |first=Brian |last=Stelter |authorlink=Brian Stelter |date=September 26, 2016}}</ref> ] said Trump's campaign statements were often opaque or suggestive.<ref>{{cite news |last=McCammon |first=Sarah |title=Donald Trump's controversial speech often walks the line |website=] |date=August 10, 2016 |quote=Many of Trump's opaque statements seem to rely on suggestion and innuendo.}}</ref>

Trump's penchant for ] is believed to have roots in the New York real estate scene, where Trump established his wealth and where puffery abounds.<ref name="reuters-20150828" /> Trump adopted his ] phrase "truthful hyperbole" to describe his public speaking style.<ref name="reuters-20150828">{{cite news |first1=Emily |last1=Flitter |first2=James |last2=Oliphant |title=Best president ever! How Trump's love of hyperbole could backfire |date=August 28, 2015 |work=] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-trump-hyperbole-insight-idUSKCN0QX11X20150828}}</ref><ref name=Konnikova />

==== Support from the far right ====

{{anchor|White supremacist support}}

According to ], the Trump campaign was remarkable for bringing fringe ideas, beliefs, and organizations into the mainstream.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Barkun |first=Michael |authorlink=Michael Barkun |year=2017<!-- |issn=0954-6553 (print) --> |title=President Trump and the ''Fringe'' |journal=] |volume=29<!-- |pages=437–443 --> |issue=3 |page=437 |doi=10.1080/09546553.2017.1313649 |issn=1556-1836}}</ref> During his presidential campaign, Trump was accused of pandering to white supremacists.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lopez |first=German |title=We need to stop acting like Trump isn't pandering to white supremacists |url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/8/13/16140504/trump-charlottesville-white-supremacists |accessdate=January 2, 2018 |work=] |date=August 14, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Blow |first=Charles M. |authorlink=Charles M. Blow |title=Is Trump a White Supremacist? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/18/opinion/trump-white-supremacist.html |work=] |date=September 18, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kharakh |first1=Ben |last2=Primack |first2=Dan |title=Donald Trump's Social Media Ties to White Supremacists |url=https://fortune.com/donald-trump-white-supremacist-genocide/ |work=] |date=March 22, 2016}}</ref> He retweeted open racists,<ref>{{cite news |last=White |first=Daniel |title=Trump Criticized for Retweeting Racist Account |url=https://time.com/4190482/donald-trump-twitter-racist-retweet/ |work=] |date=January 26, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=White Nationalists and the Alt-Right Celebrate Trump's Victory |date=November 9, 2016 |url=https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2016/11/09/white-nationalists-and-alt-right-celebrate-trump%E2%80%99s-victory |website=] |accessdate=November 10, 2016}}</ref> and repeatedly refused to condemn ], the ] or white supremacists, in an interview on CNN's '']'', saying he would first need to "do research" because he knew nothing about Duke or white supremacists.<ref>{{cite news |title=Donald Trump Refuses to Condemn KKK, Disavow David Duke Endorsement |url=https://time.com/4240268/donald-trump-kkk-david-duke/ |accessdate=January 20, 2018 |work=] |date=February 28, 2016 |first=Melissa |last=Chan}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Lozada |first=Carlos |title=Donald Trump and the alt-right: A marriage of convenience |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/book-party/wp/2016/12/30/donald-trump-and-the-alt-right-a-marriage-of-convenience/ |accessdate=March 18, 2017 |work=] |date=December 30, 2016}}</ref> Duke himself enthusiastically supported Trump throughout the 2016 primary and election, and has said he and like-minded people voted for Trump because of his promises to "take our country back".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.vox.com/2017/8/12/16138358/charlottesville-protests-david-duke-kkk |title="Why we voted for Donald Trump": David Duke explains the white supremacist Charlottesville protests |last=Nelson |first=Libby |date=August 12, 2017 |work=] |accessdate=August 18, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2017/08/15/david-duke-reaction-trump-news-conference/570517001/ |title=Former KKK leader David Duke praises Trump for his 'courage' |last=Cummings |first=William |date=August 15, 2017 |work=] |accessdate=August 18, 2018}}</ref>

After repeated questioning by reporters, Trump said he disavowed David Duke and the KKK.<ref name="cnnduke">{{cite news |website=] |date=March 3, 2016 |first=Eugene |last=Scott |title=Trump denounces David Duke, KKK |url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/03/03/politics/donald-trump-disavows-david-duke-kkk/index.html}}</ref> Trump said on ]'s '']'': "I disavowed him. I disavowed the KKK. Do you want me to do it again for the 12th time? I disavowed him in the past, I disavow him now."<ref name="cnnduke"/>

The ] movement coalesced around Trump's candidacy,<ref name="WPechoes">{{cite news |last=Ohlheiser |first=Abby |title=Anti-Semitic Trump supporters made a giant list of people to target with a racist meme |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2016/06/03/anti-semitic-trump-supporters-made-a-giant-list-of-people-to-target-with-a-racist-meme/ |newspaper=] |date=June 3, 2016}}</ref> due in part to its ] and ].<ref>{{cite news |last=Weigel |first=David |authorlink=David Weigel |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/racial-realists-are-cheered-by-trumps-latest-strategy/2016/08/20/cd71e858-6636-11e6-96c0-37533479f3f5_story.html |title='Racialists' are cheered by Trump's latest strategy |work=] |date=August 20, 2016 |accessdate=June 23, 2018}}</ref><ref name="CNNexplained">{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/08/25/politics/alt-right-explained-hillary-clinton-donald-trump/ |title=Clinton is attacking the 'Alt-Right' – What is it? |first=Gregory |last=Krieg |accessdate=August 25, 2016 |date=August 25, 2016 |website=]}}</ref><ref name="ft">{{cite news |url=https://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e148d930-6cdb-11e6-9ac1-1055824ca907.html |title='Alt-right' movement makes mark on US presidential election |first=Demetri |last=Sevastopulo |work=]}}</ref>
Members of the alt-right enthusiastically supported Trump's campaign.<ref>{{cite book |last=Hawley |first=George |title=Making Sense of the Alt-Right |date=2017 |publisher=] |isbn=978-0-231-54600-3}}</ref>
In August 2016, he appointed ]{{snd}}the executive chairman of ]{{snd}}as his campaign CEO; Bannon described Breitbart News as "the platform for the alt-right".<ref>{{cite news |title=Clickbait scoops and an engaged alt-right: everything to know about Breitbart News |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/nov/15/breitbart-news-alt-right-stephen-bannon-trump-administration |accessdate=November 18, 2016 |work=] |date=November 15, 2016 |first=Jason |last=Wilson}}</ref> In an interview days after the election, Trump condemned supporters who celebrated his victory with Nazi salutes.<ref name=BBC.Disavows>{{cite news |title=Trump disavows 'alt-right' supporters |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38069469 |work=] |date=November 23, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=November 23, 2016 |title=Donald Trump's New York Times Interview: Full Transcript |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/23/us/politics/trump-new-york-times-interview-transcript.html}}</ref>

==== Financial disclosures ====

As a presidential candidate, Trump disclosed details of his companies, assets, and revenue sources to the extent required by the FEC. His 2015 report listed assets above $1.4&nbsp;billion and outstanding debts of at least $265&nbsp;million.<ref name="Yahoo News FEC">{{cite news |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/donald-trump-wealth-details-released-federal-regulators-165854286--finance.html/ |website=] |title=Donald Trump wealth details released by federal regulators |date=July 22, 2015 |accessdate=August 9, 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801033902/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/donald-trump-wealth-details-released-federal-regulators-165854286--finance.html |archivedate=August 1, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=] |via=] |date=July 15, 2015 |title=Executive Branch Personnel Public Financial Disclosure Report (U.S. OGE Form 278e) |url=https://images.businessweek.com/cms/2015-07-22/7-22-15-Report.pdf |archivedate=July 23, 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723053945/https://images.businessweek.com/cms/2015-07-22/7-22-15-Report.pdf}}</ref> The 2016 form showed little change.<ref name="cnn-20160519" />

Trump has not released ], contrary to the practice of every major candidate since 1976 and his promises in 2014 and 2015 to do so if he ran for office.<ref name="Rappeport">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/05/11/donald-trump-breaks-with-recent-history-by-not-releasing-tax-returns/ |title=Donald Trump Breaks With Recent History by Not Releasing Tax Returns |last=Rappeport |first=Alan |authorlink=Alan Rappeport |date=May 11, 2016 |work=] |accessdate=July 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Qiu |first1=Linda |title=Pence's False claim that Trump 'hasn't broken' tax return promise |url=https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2016/oct/05/mike-pence/pences-false-claim-trump-hasnt-broken-tax-return-p/ |work=] |access-date=April 29, 2020}}</ref> He said his tax returns were being audited (in actuality, audits do not prevent release of tax returns), and his lawyers had advised him against releasing them.<ref name="CNNtax26Feb">{{cite news |url=https://money.cnn.com/2016/02/26/pf/taxes/trump-tax-returns-audit/ |title=Trump says he can't release tax returns because of audits |last1=Isidore |first1=Chris |last2=Sahadi |first2=Jeanne |date=February 26, 2016 |accessdate=February 26, 2016 |website=]}}</ref> Trump has told the press his tax rate is none of their business, and that he tries to pay "as little tax as possible".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/05/13/politics/donald-trump-tax-rate-none-of-your-business/ |title=Trump on his tax rate: 'None of your business' |last=Kopan |first=Tal |authorlink=Tal Kopan |date=May 13, 2016 |website=]}}</ref>

In October 2016, portions of Trump's state filings for 1995 were leaked to a reporter from ''The New York Times''. They show that Trump had declared a loss of $916&nbsp;million that year, which could have let him avoid taxes for up to 18 years. During the second presidential debate, Trump acknowledged using the deduction, but declined to provide details such as the specific years it was applied.<ref name="nyt-20161010">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/10/us/politics/donald-trump-taxes.html |title=Donald Trump Acknowledges Not Paying Federal Income Taxes for Years |last1=Eder |first1=Steve |last2=Twohey |first2=Megan |author2link=Megan Twohey |date=October 10, 2016 |newspaper=]}}</ref>

On March 14, 2017, the first two pages of Trump's 2005 federal income tax returns were leaked to ]. The document states that Trump had a gross adjusted income of $150&nbsp;million and paid $38&nbsp;million in federal taxes. The White House confirmed the authenticity of the documents.<ref name="nyt-taxes">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/14/us/politics/donald-trump-taxes.html |title=Trump Wrote Off $100 Million in Business Losses in 2005 |last1=Baker |first1=Peter |author1link=Peter Baker (journalist) |last2=Drucker |first2=Jesse |last3=Craig |first3=Susanne |author3link=Susanne Craig |last4=Barstow |first4=David |author4link=David Barstow |date=March 15, 2017 |newspaper=] |accessdate=March 15, 2017}}</ref><ref name="hill-taxes">{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/324016-wh-releases-trump-tax-info-ahead-of-msnbc-report-made-150m-in-2005 |title=WH releases Trump tax info ahead of MSNBC report: He paid $38M in federal taxes in '05 |last=Jagoda |first=Naomi |accessdate=March 15, 2017 |website=]}}</ref>

In April 2019, the House ] made a formal request to the Internal Revenue Service for Trump's personal and business tax returns from 2013 to 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://apnews.com/79e6935010f94b399bb5e967ad6c1ec2 |title=House chairman asks IRS for 6 years of Trump's tax returns |first=Marcy |last=Gordon |date=April 4, 2019 |website=]}}</ref> Two deadlines to provide the returns were missed, then Treasury secretary ] in May 2019 ultimately denied the request.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/treasury-says-it-will-miss-democrats-deadline-for-turning-over-trump-tax-returns/2019/04/10/14319f9c-5bce-11e9-842d-7d3ed7eb3957_story.html |title=Treasury says it will miss Democrats' deadline for turning over Trump tax returns, casts skepticism over request |website=] |date=April 10, 2019 |first1=Jeff |last1=Stein |first2=Damian |last2=Paletta |author2link=Damian Paletta}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/04/23/donald-trump-tax-returns-deadline-1288760 |title=IRS blows deadline to hand over Trump tax returns |first=Aaron |last=Lorenzo |website=] |date=April 23, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/06/us/politics/trump-tax-returns-mnuchin.html |title=Steven Mnuchin Refuses to Release Trump's Tax Documents to Congress |first=Alan |last=Rappeport |authorlink=Alan Rappeport |date=May 6, 2019 |work=]}}</ref> Committee chairman ] then subpoenaed the Treasury Department and the IRS for the returns.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/10/us/politics/democrats-trump-tax-returns.html |title=House Ways and Means Chairman Subpoenas Trump Tax Records |first=Nicholas |last=Fandos |authorlink=Nicholas Fandos |date=May 10, 2019 |work=]}}</ref> These subpoenas were also defied in May 2019.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/mnuchin-defies-subpoena-for-president-trumps-tax-returns-11558123367 |title=Mnuchin Defies Subpoena for President Trump's Tax Returns |first=Richard |last=Rubin |date=May 17, 2019 |work=]}}</ref> A fall 2018 draft IRS legal memo asserted that tax returns must be provided to Congress upon request, unless a president invokes executive privilege. Congress need not justify the request, the memo stated, contradicting the administration's justification that a legislative purpose is needed to produce the tax returns.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/confidential-draft-irs-memo-says-tax-returns-must-be-given-to-congress-unless-president-invokes-executive-privilege/2019/05/21/8ed41834-7b1c-11e9-8bb7-0fc796cf2ec0_story.html |title=Confidential draft IRS memo says tax returns must be given to Congress unless president invokes executive privilege |website=] |date=May 21, 2019 |first1=Jeff |last1=Stein |first2=Josh |last2=Dawsey |author2link=Josh Dawsey}}</ref> Mnuchin asserted the memo actually addressed a different matter.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/05/22/steven-mnuchin-irs-trump-tax-returns-1339270 |title=Mnuchin dismisses IRS memo saying Congress must be given Trump's tax returns |first=Toby |last=Eckert |website=] |date=May 22, 2019}}</ref>

=== Election to the presidency ===

{{Main|2016 United States presidential election}}
]

On November 8, 2016, Trump received 306 pledged ] versus 232 for Clinton. The official counts were 304 and 227 respectively, after ].<ref>{{cite news |first1=Kiersten |last1=Schmidt |first2=Wilson |last2=Andrews |title=A Historic Number of Electors Defected, and Most Were Supposed to Vote for Clinton |date=December 19, 2016 |accessdate=January 31, 2017 |website=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/12/19/us/elections/electoral-college-results.html}}</ref> Trump received nearly 2.9&nbsp;million fewer popular votes than Clinton, which made him the fifth person to be elected president ].<ref>{{cite web |last=Desilver |first=Drew |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/12/20/why-electoral-college-landslides-are-easier-to-win-than-popular-vote-ones/ |title=Trump's victory another example of how Electoral College wins are bigger than popular vote ones |website=] |date=December 20, 2017}}</ref>{{efn|Records on this matter date from the year 1824. The number "five" includes the elections of ], ], ], ], and ]. Despite their similarities, some of these five elections had peculiar results; e.g. ] trailed in ''both'' the national popular vote and the electoral college in 1824 (since no one had a majority in the electoral college, Adams was chosen by the House of Representatives), and ] in 1876 remains the only losing candidate to win an actual majority of the popular vote (rather than just a ]).<ref>{{cite book |last=Thomas |first=G. Scott |title=Counting the Votes: A New Way to Analyze America's Presidential Elections |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XvxPCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA125 |page=125 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |date=2015 |isbn=978-1-4408-3883-5}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Cheney |first=Kyle |authorlink=Kyle Cheney (journalist) |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/12/donald-trump-electoral-college-232665 |title=Trump lawyer cites 1876 crisis to rebuke Electoral College suit |website=] |date=December 14, 2016}}</ref>}} Clinton was ahead nationwide, with 65,853,514 votes ({{percentage|<!-- CLINTON: --> 65,853,514|<!-- TOTAL: --> 136,669,276|2|pad=yes}}) compared to Trump's 62,984,828 votes ({{percentage|<!-- TRUMP: --> 62,984,828|<!-- TOTAL: --> 136,669,276|2|pad=yes}}).<ref>{{cite web |title=Official 2016 Presidential General Election Results |url=https://transition.fec.gov/pubrec/fe2016/federalelections2016.pdf |website=] |date=December 2017 |accessdate=February 12, 2018}}</ref>

Trump's victory was considered a stunning political upset by most observers, as polls had consistently showed Hillary Clinton with a nationwide{{snd}}though diminishing{{snd}}lead, as well as a favorable advantage in most of the competitive states. Trump's support had been modestly underestimated throughout his campaign,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/election-results-2016-clinton-trump-231070 |title=Trump pulls off biggest upset in U.S. history |work=] |date=November 9, 2016 |first=Maxwell |last=Tani |accessdate=November 9, 2016}}</ref> and many observers blamed errors in polls, partially attributed to pollsters overestimating Clinton's support among well-educated and nonwhite voters, while underestimating Trump's support among white working-class voters.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/10/upshot/why-trump-won-working-class-whites.html |title=Why Trump Won: Working-Class Whites |work=] |date=November 9, 2016 |first=Nate |last=Cohn |accessdate=November 9, 2016}}</ref> The polls were relatively accurate,<ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=January 17, 2017 |first=Nate |last=Silver |authorlink=Nate Silver |title=Can You Trust Trump's Approval Rating Polls? |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/can-you-trust-polling-in-the-age-of-trump/}}</ref> but media outlets and pundits alike showed overconfidence in a Clinton victory despite a large number of undecided voters and a favorable concentration of Trump's core constituencies in competitive states.<ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=September 21, 2017 |first=Nate |last=Silver |authorlink=Nate Silver |title=The Media Has A Probability Problem |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-media-has-a-probability-problem/}}</ref>
] and president-elect Trump on November 10, 2016]]

Trump won 30 states, including ], ], and ], which had been considered a ] of Democratic strongholds since the 1990s. Clinton won 20&nbsp;states and the ]. Trump's victory marked the return of a Republican White House combined with ] both chambers of ].<ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=November 9, 2016 |first=Amber |last=Phillips |title=Republicans are poised to grasp the holy grail of governance |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/11/09/republicans-are-about-to-reach-the-holy-grail-of-governance/}}</ref>

Trump is ], even after ] for ],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-richest-us-president-in-history-2017-1 |title=Donald Trump is officially the richest US president in history |last=Martin |first=Emmie |date=January 23, 2017 |work=] |accessdate=September 9, 2017}}</ref> and the oldest person to take office as president.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2016/06/14/481991965/its-trumps-birthday-if-he-wins-hed-be-the-oldest-president-ever-to-take-office |title=It's Trump's Birthday. If He Wins, He'd Be The Oldest President Ever To Take Office |last=Kurtzlebel |first=Danielle |date=June 14, 2016 |website=] |accessdate=May 3, 2019}}</ref> He is also ] who did not serve in the military or hold elective or appointed government office prior to being elected.<ref>{{cite news |first=Peter |last=Weber |title=Donald Trump will be the first U.S. president with no government or military experience |date=November 9, 2016 |website=] |url=https://theweek.com/speedreads/660840/donald-trump-first-president-no-government-military-experience}}</ref><ref name="voxexp">{{cite news |url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2016/11/11/13587532/donald-trump-no-experience |title=Donald Trump will be the only US president ever with no political or military experience |last=Crockett |first=Zachary |date=November 11, 2016 |work=] |accessdate=January 3, 2017}}</ref> Of the 43{{efn|] was the ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Will Trump Be The 44th Or 45th President? Yes And Yes |url=http://ethics.npr.org/memos-from-memmott/will-trump-be-the-44th-or-45th-president-yes-and-yes/ |website=] |date=November 10, 2016 |accessdate=June 4, 2017 |archivedate=February 7, 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207004548/http://ethics.npr.org/memos-from-memmott/will-trump-be-the-44th-or-45th-president-yes-and-yes/}}</ref>}} previous presidents, 38 had held prior elective office, two had not held elective office but had served in the Cabinet, and three had never held public office but had been commanding generals.<ref name="voxexp" />

=== Protests ===

{{Main|Protests against Donald Trump}}
] in Washington on January 21, 2017, a day after Trump's inauguration]]

Some rallies during the primary season were accompanied by protests or violence, including attacks on Trump supporters and vice versa both inside and outside the venues.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/03/10/trump-protester-sucker-punched-at-north-carolina-rally-videos-show/ |title=Trump supporter charged after sucker-punching protester at North Carolina rally |last=Moyer |first=Justin Wm. |date=March 11, 2016 |work=] |accessdate=August 31, 2016 |last2=Starrs |first2=Jenny |last3=Larimer |first3=Sarah}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/06/03/ugly-bloody-scenes-in-san-jose-as-protesters-attack-trump-supporters-outside-rally/ |title=Ugly, bloody scenes in San Jose as protesters attack Trump supporters outside rally |last=Sullivan |first=Sean |date=June 3, 2016 |work=] |accessdate=August 31, 2016 |last2=Miller |first2=Michael E.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/05/27/politics/donald-trump-san-diego-protesters/ |title=Pro-Trump, anti-Trump groups clash in San Diego |last=Diamond |first=Jeremy |authorlink=Jeremy Diamond (journalist) |date=May 28, 2016 |accessdate=August 31, 2016 |website=]}}</ref> Trump's election victory sparked protests across the United States, in opposition to his policies and his inflammatory statements. Trump initially tweeted that these were "professional protesters, incited by the media" and "unfair", but later "Love the fact that the small groups of protesters last night have passion for our great country."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2016/11/10/trump-tweet-professional-protesters-media/93624612/ |title=Trump calls protests 'unfair' in first controversial tweet as president-elect |last=Cummings |first=William |date=November 11, 2016 |work=] |accessdate=November 27, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://uk.businessinsider.com/trump-tweets-that-protesters-have-passion-for-our-great-country-2016-11 |title=Trump says protesters have 'passion for our great country' after calling demonstrations 'very unfair' |last=Colson |first=Thomas |date=November 11, 2016 |newspaper=] |accessdate=November 14, 2016}}</ref>

In the weeks following Trump's inauguration, massive anti-Trump demonstrations took place, such as the ], which gathered 2,600,000 people worldwide,<ref name="USAToday01a">{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/01/21/womens-march-aims-start-movement-trump-inauguration/96864158/ |title=At 2.6 million strong, Women's Marches crush expectations |last1=Przybyla |first1=Heidi M. |last2=Schouten |first2=Fredreka |date=January 22, 2017 |work=] |accessdate=January 22, 2017 |edition=online}}</ref> including 500,000 in Washington alone.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/womens-march-on-washington-pink-pussy-hat-500000-donald-trump-resist-latest-a7540396.html |title=We asked ten people why they felt empowered wearing a pink 'pussy' hat |last=Buncombe |first=Andrew |date=January 22, 2017 |work=] |accessdate=January 15, 2017}}</ref> Marches against his ] began across the country on January 29, 2017, just nine days after his inauguration.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://thinkprogress.org/muslim-ban-protests-344f6e66022e/ |title=Here's your list of all the protests happening against the Muslim Ban |work=] |date=January 28, 2017 |first=Adrienne Mahsa |last=Varkiani |accessdate=September 18, 2018}}{{better source|date=February 2020}}</ref>

=== 2020 presidential campaign ===

{{Main|Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign}}

Trump signaled his intention to run for a second term by filing with the FEC within a few hours of assuming the presidency.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/trump-hints-at-re-election-bid-vowing-eight-years-of-great-things/article/2612632 |title=Trump hints at re-election bid, vowing 'eight years' of 'great things' |last=Westwood |first=Sarah |work=] |date=January 22, 2017 |accessdate=February 19, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Taylor |first=Jessica |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/06/18/733505037/trump-set-to-officially-launch-reelection-but-hasnt-he-been-running-all-along?t=1594367350966 |title=Trump Set To Officially Launch Reelection Bid, But Hasn't He Been Running All Along? |date=June 18, 2019 |access-date=July 9, 2020 |work=]}}</ref> This transformed his 2016 election committee into a 2020 reelection one.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.azfamily.com/story/34380443/trump-breaks-precedent-files-on-first-day-as-candidate-for-re-election |title=Trump breaks precedent, files as candidate for re-election on first day |publisher=] |location=Phoenix, Arizona |first=Lee |last=Morehouse |date=January 31, 2017 |accessdate=February 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202210255/http://www.azfamily.com/story/34380443/trump-breaks-precedent-files-on-first-day-as-candidate-for-re-election |archive-date=February 2, 2017}}</ref> Trump marked the official start of the campaign with a rally in ], on February 18, 2017, less than a month after taking office.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/02/trump-kicks-off-his-2020-reelection-campaign-on-saturday/516909/ |title=Trump Kicks Off His 2020 Reelection Campaign on Saturday |last=Graham |first=David A. |work=] |date=February 15, 2017 |accessdate=February 19, 2017}}</ref> By January 2018, Trump's reelection committee had $22&nbsp;million in hand,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-31/trump-s-2020-re-election-committee-has-22-1-million-in-bank |title=Trump's 2020 Re-Election Committee Has $22.1 Million in the Bank |last1=McCormick |first1=John |last2=Jacobs |first2=Jennifer |date=January 31, 2018 |website=] |accessdate=March 24, 2018}}</ref> and it had raised a total amount exceeding $67&nbsp;million by December 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00580100/?tab=summary |title=Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. / Presidential – Principal campaign committee / Financial summary |website=] |date=December 31, 2018 |access-date=February 5, 2019}}</ref> Trump became the ] on March 17, 2020, after securing a majority of pledged delegates.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-wins-enough-delegates-to-become-gops-presumptive-nominee |title=Trump wins enough delegates to become GOP's presumptive nominee |date=March 17, 2020 |website=] |access-date=April 8, 2020}}</ref> Trump's re-election campaign saw declining poll numbers by mid-2020, reflecting dissatisfaction with his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread racial justice protests following the ].<ref name=Shepard-200709>{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/07/06/trump-senate-politico-forecast-349529 |title=POLITICO's Election Forecast: Trump, Senate GOP in trouble |work=] |date=July 9, 2020 |accessdate=July 7, 2020 |first=Steven |last=Shepard}}</ref><ref name=Todd-200709>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/meet-the-press/trump-isn-t-leading-biggest-issues-it-s-showing-polls-n1232955 |title=Trump isn't leading on the biggest issues, and it's showing in the polls |work=] |date=July 9, 2020 |accessdate=July 6, 2020 |first1=Chuck |last1=Todd |author1link=Chuck Todd |first2=Mark |last2=Murray |first3=Carrie |last3=Dann |first4=Melissa |last4=Holzberg}}</ref> In what ''The New York Times'' called an "extraordinary breach of presidential decorum", Trump raised the idea of delaying the election asserting unfounded concerns about inaccuracy and fraud.<ref name=200730>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/30/us/elections/biden-vs-trump.html |title=2020 Election Live Updates: Republicans Rebuke Trump for Floating Delaying Election, Something He Cannot Do |work=] |date=July 30, 2020 |accessdate=July 30, 2020}}</ref> Campaign advertisements in July focused on crime, claiming that cities would descend into lawlessness if Biden won the presidency.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/21/us/politics/trump-portland-federal-agents.html |title=As Trump Pushes Into Portland, His Campaign Ads Turn Darker |date=July 21, 2020 |work=] |first1=Maggie |last1=Haberman |author1link=Maggie Haberman |first2=Nick |last2=Corasaniti |first3=Annie |last3=Karni |author3link=Annie Karni |accessdate=July 25, 2020}}</ref> Several sources described his campaign message as shifting to "racist rhetoric" in an attempt to reclaim voters lost from his base.<ref name=Allen-200709>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/desperate-trump-bets-racism-2020-election-n1233116 |title=A desperate Trump bets on racism in 2020 election |work=] |date=July 9, 2020 |accessdate=July 8, 2020 |first=Jonathan |last=Allen}}</ref><ref name=Costa -200709>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-racism-white-nationalism-republicans/2020/07/04/2b0aebe6-bbaf-11ea-80b9-40ece9a701dc_story.html |title=Trump's push to amplify racism unnerves Republicans who have long enabled him |work=] |date=July 9, 2020 |accessdate=July 4, 2020 |first1=Robert |last1=Costa |author1link=Robert Costa (journalist) |first2=Philip |last2=Rucker |author2link=Philip Rucker}}</ref>

== Presidency ==

{{Main|Presidency of Donald Trump}}
{{for timeline|Timeline of the Donald Trump presidency}}

=== Early actions ===

{{See also|Presidential transition of Donald Trump|First 100 days of Donald Trump's presidency}}
], ], ].]]

] as the 45th president of the United States on January 20, 2017. During his first week in office, he signed ]: interim procedures in anticipation of repealing the ] (Obamacare), withdrawal from the ] negotiations, reinstatement of the ], unlocking the ] and ] construction projects, reinforcing border security, and beginning the planning and design process to construct a ].<ref name=exec-summary>{{cite news |last=Quigley |first=Aidan |title=All of Trump's executive actions so far |url=https://www.politico.com/agenda/story/2017/01/all-trump-executive-actions-000288 |accessdate=January 28, 2017 |work=] |date=January 25, 2017}}</ref>

Upon inauguration, Trump delegated the management of his real estate business to his sons Eric and Don Jr.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/12/us/politics/eric-trump-donald-trump-jr.html |title=Trump Sons Forge Ahead Without Father, Expanding and Navigating Conflicts |first1=Eric |last1=Lipton |author1link=Eric Lipton |first2=Susanne |last2=Craig |author2link=Susanne Craig |date=February 12, 2017 |newspaper=] |accessdate=May 7, 2017}}</ref> His daughter Ivanka resigned from the Trump Organization and moved to Washington, D.C., with her husband ]. She serves as an assistant to the President,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2017/03/family-affair |author=V.v.B |title=Ivanka Trump's new job |date=March 31, 2017 |accessdate=April 3, 2017 |newspaper=]}}</ref> and he is a ] in the White House.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Michael S. |last1=Schmidt |author1link=Michael S. Schmidt |first2=Eric |last2=Lipton |author2link=Eric Lipton |first3=Charlie |last3=Savage |author3link=Charlie Savage |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/21/us/politics/donald-trump-jared-kushner-justice-department.html |title=Jared Kushner, Trump's Son-in-Law, Is Cleared to Serve as Adviser |newspaper=] |date=January 21, 2017 |accessdate=May 7, 2017}}</ref>

On January 31, ] U.S. Appeals Court judge ] to fill the seat on the ] previously held by Justice ] until his death on February 13, 2016.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-picks-colo-appeals-court-judge-neil-gorsuch-for-supreme-court/2017/01/31/2b08a226-e55e-11e6-a547-5fb9411d332c_story.html |title=Trump picks Colo. appeals court judge Neil Gorsuch for Supreme Court |last=Barnes |first=Robert |date=January 31, 2017 |work=] |accessdate=February 1, 2017}}</ref>

=== Domestic policy ===
==== Economy and trade ====

{{Main|Economic policy of Donald Trump}}
{{See also|Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017|Trump tariffs}}
] in January 2017]]

The economic expansion that began in June 2009 continued through Trump's first three years in office.<ref name=greatesteconomy>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/09/07/president-trumps-repeated-claim-greatest-economy-history-our-country/ |title=President Trump's repeated claim: 'The greatest economy in the history of our country' |last=Kessler |first=Glenn |work=] |date=September 7, 2018 |accessdate=May 27, 2019 |authorlink=Glenn Kessler (journalist)}}</ref><ref name=recession>{{cite news |last1=Smialek |first1=Jeanna |title=The U.S. Entered a Recession in February |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/08/business/economy/us-economy-recession-2020.html |accessdate=June 10, 2020 |work=] |date=June 8, 2020}}</ref> This ended in February 2020, when ].<ref name=recession/> Throughout his presidency, Trump has repeatedly and falsely characterized the economy as the best in American history (at least four U.S. presidents have presided over better economies).<ref name=greatesteconomy/>

In December 2017, Trump signed the ], which permanently cut the corporate tax rate to 21 percent, temporarily lowered personal tax brackets until 2025, increased child tax credit, doubled the ] exemption to $11.2&nbsp;million, and limited the state and local tax deduction to $10,000.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/12/15/us/politics/final-republican-tax-bill-cuts.html |title=What's in the Final Republican Tax Bill |newspaper=] |first1=Wilson |last1=Andrews |first2=Alicia |last2=Parlapiano |date=December 15, 2017 |accessdate=December 22, 2017}}</ref>
]

Trump is a skeptic of multilateral trade deals, as he believes they indirectly incentivize unfair trade practices that then tend to go unpoliced. He favors bilateral trade deals, as they allow one party to pull out if the other party is believed to be behaving unfairly. Trump favors neutral or positive balances of trade over negative balances of trade, also known as a "trade deficit". Trump adopted his current skeptical views toward trade liberalization in the 1980s, and he sharply criticized ] during the Republican primary campaign in 2015.<ref>{{cite news |last=Schlesinger |first=Jacob M. |title=Trump Forged His Ideas on Trade in the 1980s – And Never Deviated |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-forged-his-ideas-on-trade-in-the-1980sand-never-deviated-1542304508 |date=November 15, 2018 |work=] |accessdate=November 15, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-lays-out-protectionist-views-in-trade-speech-1467145538 |title=Donald Trump Lays Out Protectionist Views in Trade Speech |last=Epstein |first=Reid J. |date=June 28, 2016 |last2=Nelson |first2=Colleen McCain |work=] {{subscription required}} |accessdate=July 22, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-calls-nafta-a-disaster/ |title=Trump calls NAFTA a "disaster" |date=September 25, 2015 |website=]}}</ref> He withdrew the U.S. from the ] (TPP) negotiations,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/01/23/politics/trump-tpp-things-to-know/index.html |title=Trump's TPP withdrawal: 5 things to know |last=Bradner |first=Eric |date=January 23, 2017 |website=] |accessdate=March 12, 2018}}</ref> imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports,<ref name=Inman>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/mar/10/war-over-steel-trump-tips-global-trade-turmoil-tariffs |title=The war over steel: Trump tips global trade into new turmoil |work=] |date=March 10, 2018 |accessdate=March 15, 2018 |last=Inman |first=Phillip}}</ref> and launched a ] with China by sharply increasing tariffs on 818 categories (worth $50&nbsp;billion) of Chinese goods imported into the U.S.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/01/07/donald-trump-says-he-favors-big-tariffs-on-chinese-exports/ |title=Donald Trump Says He Favors Big Tariffs on Chinese Exports |last=Haberman |first=Maggie |authorlink=Maggie Haberman |date=January 7, 2016 |website=] |accessdate=July 22, 2016}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-china-ministry/trump-sets-tariffs-on-50-billion-in-chinese-goods-beijing-strikes-back-idUSKBN1JB0KC |title=Trump sets tariffs on $50 billion in Chinese goods; Beijing strikes |date=June 16, 2018 |work=] |first1=David |last1=Lawder |first2=Ben |last2=Blanchard}}</ref> On several occasions, Trump has said incorrectly that these import tariffs are paid by China into the ].<ref name="Newburger-190512">{{cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/12/kudlow-says-us-will-pay-for-china-tariffs-contradicting-trump.html |title=Kudlow acknowledges US will pay for China tariffs, contradicting Trump |website=] |date=May 12, 2019 |accessdate=May 20, 2019 |first=Emma |last=Newburger}}</ref>

Despite a campaign promise to eliminate the national debt in eight years, Trump as president has approved large increases in government spending, as well as the 2017 tax cut. As a result, the American government's budget deficit has increased by almost 50%, to nearly $1{{nbsp}}trillion in 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Long |first1=Heather |last2=Stein |first2=Jeff |title=The U.S. deficit hit $984 billion in 2019, soaring during Trump era |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/10/25/us-deficit-hit-billion-marking-nearly-percent-increase-during-trump-era/ |accessdate=June 10, 2020 |work=] |date=October 26, 2019}}</ref> In 2016, the year before Trump took office, the ] was around $19{{nbsp}}trillion; by mid-2020, it had increased to $26{{nbsp}}trillion under the Trump administration.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Blake |first1=Aaron |title=The GOP's decision to keep its 2016 platform is, well, a little awkward for Trump |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/06/11/gops-decision-keep-its-2016-platform-is-well-little-awkward-trump/ |accessdate=July 12, 2020 |work=] |date=June 12, 2020}}</ref>

In April 2020, the official unemployment rate shot up to 14.7% due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was an underestimation of the actual unemployment rate, but still was the highest level of unemployment since 1939.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rugaber |first1=Christopher |title=US unemployment surges to a Depression-era level of 14.7% |url=https://apnews.com/908d7a004c316baceb916112c0a35ed0 |accessdate=June 10, 2020 |work=] |date=May 9, 2020}}</ref>

==== Energy and climate ====

{{Main|Environmental policy of the Donald Trump administration}}

Trump rejects the ].<ref name="ParkerDavenport">{{cite news |first1=Ashley |last1=Parker |author1link=Ashley Parker |first2=Coral |last2=Davenport |title=Donald Trump's Energy Plan: More Fossil Fuels and Fewer Rules |date=May 26, 2016 |newspaper=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/27/us/politics/donald-trump-global-warming-energy-policy.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Jason |last=Samenow |authorlink=Jason Samenow |title=Donald Trump's unsettling nonsense on weather and climate |date=March 22, 2016 |website=] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2016/03/22/donald-trumps-unsettling-nonsense-on-weather-and-climate}}</ref> Since his election Trump has made large budget cuts to programs that research renewable energy and has rolled back Obama-era policies directed at curbing climate change.<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump proposes cuts to climate and clean-energy programs |url=https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/03/how-trump-is-changing-science-environment |date=February 12, 2018 |website=] |accessdate=May 27, 2018 |first1=Michael |last1=Greshko |first2=Laura |last2=Parker |first3=Brian Clark |last3=Howard |first4=Daniel |last4=Stone |first5=Alejandra |last5=Borunda |first6=Sarah |last6=Gibbens}}</ref> In June 2017, Trump announced ], making the U.S. the only nation in the world to not ratify the agreement.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dennis |first=Brandy |title=As Syria embraces Paris climate deal, it's the United States against the world |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/11/07/as-syria-embraces-paris-climate-deal-its-the-united-states-against-the-world |newspaper=] |accessdate=May 28, 2018}}</ref> At the ], Trump skipped the sessions on climate change but said afterward during a press conference that he is an environmentalist.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Teirstein |first1=Zoya |title=Donald 'I'm an environmentalist' Trump skips G7 climate meeting |url=https://grist.org/article/donald-im-an-environmentalist-trump-skips-g7-climate-meeting/ |website=] |date=August 26, 2019 |accessdate=August 27, 2019}}</ref>

Trump has rolled back federal regulations aimed at curbing ] emissions, air pollution, water pollution, and the usage of toxic substances. One example is the ]. He relaxed environmental standards for federal infrastructure projects, while expanding permitted areas for drilling and resource extraction, such as allowing ]. Trump also weakened protections for animals.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Popovich |first1=Nadja |last2=Albeck-Ripka |first2=Livia |last3=Pierre-Louis |first3=Kendra |title=The Trump Administration Is Reversing 100 Environmental Rules. Here's the Full List.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/climate/trump-environment-rollbacks.html |accessdate=June 2, 2020 |work=] |date=May 20, 2020}}</ref> Trump's energy policies aimed to boost the production and exports of coal, oil, and natural gas.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gardner |first1=Timothy |title=Senate confirms Brouillette, former Ford lobbyist, as energy secretary |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-energy-brouillette/senate-confirms-brouillette-former-ford-lobbyist-as-energy-secretary-idUSKBN1Y62E6 |accessdate=December 15, 2019 |work=] |date=December 3, 2019}}</ref>

==== Government size and deregulation ====

Trump's early policies have favored ]. He has signed 15 ] disapproval resolutions to allow Congress to repeal executive regulations, the second President to sign any such resolutions after the first CRA resolution was passed in 2001, and the first President to sign more than one such resolution.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Adriance |first=Sam |title=President Trump Signs First Congressional Review Act Disapproval Resolution in 16 Years |url=https://www.natlawreview.com/article/president-trump-signs-first-congressional-review-act-disapproval-resolution-16-years |date=February 16, 2017 |magazine=] |accessdate=March 8, 2017}}</ref> During his first six weeks in office, he delayed, suspended or reversed ninety federal regulations.<ref>{{cite news |last=Farand |first=Chloe |title=Donald Trump Disassembles 90 Federal State Regulations in Just Over a Month in White House |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-federal-state-regulations-month-oval-office-white-house-us-president-deregulate-a7614031.html |date=March 6, 2017 |work=] |accessdate=March 7, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Trump-Era Trend: Industries Protest. Regulations Rolled Back. A Dozen Examples |url=https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3480299-10-Examples-Industries-Push-Followed-by-Trump.html#document/p60/a341284 |work=] |via=] |accessdate=March 7, 2017 |date=March 5, 2017 |quote=More than 90 Obama-era federal regulations have been revoked or delayed or enforcement has been suspended, in many cases based on requests from the industries the rules target.}}</ref>

On January 30, 2017, Trump signed ], which directed that for every new regulation administrative agencies issue "at least two prior regulations be identified for elimination".<ref>{{cite news |last=Plumer |first=Brad |url=https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2017/1/30/14441430/trump-executive-order-regulations |title=Trump wants to kill two old regulations for every new one issued. Sort of. |website=] |date=January 30, 2017 |access-date=April 18, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=The White House, Office of the Press Secretary |author1link=White House Office of the Press Secretary |title=Presidential Executive Order on Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/01/30/presidential-executive-order-reducing-regulation-and-controlling |accessdate=May 16, 2017 |date=January 30, 2017}}</ref> Agency defenders expressed opposition to Trump's criticisms, saying the bureaucracy exists to protect people against well-organized, well-funded interest groups.<ref name="mcalabresi">{{cite news |last=Calabresi |first=Massimo |title=Inside Donald Trump's War against the State |magazine=] |date=March 9, 2017 |url=https://time.com/4696428/donald-trump-war-state-government/ |quote=Staffed by experts who oversee an open governmental process, they say, the federal bureaucracy exists to protect those who would otherwise be at the mercy of better-organized, better-funded interests.}}</ref>

==== Health care ====

During his campaign, Trump repeatedly vowed to repeal and replace ] (ACA or "Obamacare").<ref name="Kodjak">{{cite news |last=Kodjak |first=Alison |authorlink=Alison Kodjak |title=Trump Can Kill Obamacare With Or Without Help From Congress |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/11/09/501203831/trump-can-kill-obamacare-with-or-without-help-from-congress |accessdate=January 12, 2017 |work=] |publisher=] |date=November 9, 2016}}</ref> Shortly after taking office, he urged Congress to repeal and replace it. In May of that year, the ] voted to repeal it.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/331937-house-passes-obamacare-repeal |title=House passes Obamacare repeal |last=Sullivan |first=Peter |date=May 4, 2017 |work=] |accessdate=July 31, 2017}}</ref> His first action as president was ], which increased flexibility "to the maximum extent permitted by law" for the Cabinet to issue waivers, deferrals, and exemptions for the law while attempting to give states more flexibility.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/20/us/politics/trump-executive-order-obamacare.html |title=Trump Issues Executive Order Scaling Back Parts of Obamacare |last=Davis |first=Julie Hirschfeld |author1link=Julie Hirschfeld Davis |last2=Pear |first2=Robert |author2link=Robert Pear |date=January 20, 2017 |work=] |access-date=January 23, 2017}}</ref> ] was subsequently issued, designed to reduce regulations imposed under Obamacare by increasing competition.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://money.cnn.com/2017/10/12/news/economy/trump-health-care-executive-order/ |title=What's in Trump's health care executive order? |first=Tami |last=Luhby |work=] |date=October 13, 2017 |accessdate=October 14, 2017}}</ref> Trump has expressed a desire to "let Obamacare fail," and the Trump administration has cut the ACA ] in half and drastically reduced funding for advertising and other ways to encourage enrollment.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/07/18/trump-tweet-obamacare-repeal-failure-240664 |title=Trump says he plans to 'let Obamacare fail' |last=Nelson |first=Louis |date=July 18, 2017 |work=] |accessdate=September 29, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Jeffrey">{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/trump-obamacare-sabotage-enrollment-cuts_us_59a87bffe4b0b5e530fd5751 |title=Trump Ramps Up Obamacare Sabotage With Huge Cuts To Enrollment Programs |last=Young |first=Jeffrey |date=August 31, 2017 |work=] |accessdate=September 29, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/08/31/trump-obamacare-outreach-cuts-242225 |title=Trump administration slashes Obamacare outreach |last=Pradhan |first=Rachana |date=August 31, 2017 |work=] |accessdate=September 29, 2017}}</ref> The ] effectively repealed the ACA's ] in 2019,<ref>{{cite news |first=Robert |last=Pear |author1link=Robert Pear |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/18/us/politics/tax-cut-obamacare-individual-mandate-repeal.html |title=Without the Insurance Mandate, Health Care's Future May Be in Doubt |work=] |date=December 18, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Peter |last=Sullivan |url=https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/362838-senate-gop-repeals-obamacare-mandate |title=Senate GOP repeals ObamaCare mandate |work=] |date=December 2, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|journal=] |date=December 20, 2017 |first=Timothy |last=Jost |authorlink=Timothy Jost |title=The Tax Bill And The Individual Mandate: What Happened, And What Does It Mean? |url=https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20171220.323429/full/ |doi=10.1377/hblog20171220.323429 |doi-broken-date=2020-05-09}}</ref> and a budget bill Trump signed in 2019 repealed the ], medical device tax, and ].<ref name=CadillacRepealed>{{cite news |url=https://www.hrdive.com/news/trump-signs-bill-repealing-aca-cadillac-tax-granting-relief-for-employer/569551/ |work=HR Dive |first=Ryan |last=Golden |date=December 23, 2019 |accessdate=December 24, 2019 |title=Trump signs bill repealing ACA Cadillac tax, granting 'relief' for employers}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1865/text |publisher=Congress.gov |title=Text – H.R.1865 – 116th Congress (2019-2020): Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020}}</ref> As president, Trump has falsely claimed he saved the coverage of pre-existing conditions provided by ACA, while his administration declined to challenge a lawsuit that would eliminate it.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.politifact.com/health-check/statements/2020/jan/15/donald-trump/trumps-claim-he-saved-pre-ex-conditions-part-fanta/ |title=Trump's pre-ex claim 'part fantasty, part delusion' |website=] |accessdate=January 24, 2020}}</ref> As a 2016 candidate, Trump promised to protect funding for Medicare and other social safety-net programs, but in January 2020 he suggested he was willing to consider cuts to such programs.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/22/us/politics/medicare-trump.html |title=Trump Opens Door to Cuts to Medicare and Other Entitlement Programs |first1=Alan |last1=Rappeport |author1link=Alan Rappeport |first2=Maggie |last2=Haberman |author2link=Maggie Haberman |date=January 22, 2020 |accessdate=January 24, 2020 |newspaper=]}}</ref>

==== Social issues ====

{{Main|Social policy of Donald Trump}}

Trump favored modifying the 2016 Republican platform opposing abortion, to allow for exceptions in cases of rape, incest, and circumstances endangering the health of the mother.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/04/21/politics/donald-trump-republican-platform-abortion/ |title=Trump: I would change GOP platform on abortion |last=Wright |first=David |date=April 21, 2016 |website=]}}</ref> He has said he is committed to appointing "]" justices.<ref name="60min" /> He says he personally supports "traditional marriage"<ref name="MEhren2">{{cite news |first=Max |last=Ehrenfreund |title=Here's what Donald Trump really believes |date=July 22, 2015 |website=] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/07/22/heres-what-donald-trump-really-believes/}}</ref> but considers the ] of ] a "settled" issue.<ref name="60min">{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/11/14/politics/trump-gay-marriage-abortion-supreme-court/ |title=Trump: Same-sex marriage is 'settled', but Roe v Wade can be changed |website=] |first=Ariane |last=De Vogue |date=November 15, 2016 |accessdate=November 30, 2016}}</ref> Despite the statement by Trump and the White House saying they would keep in place a 2014 executive order from the Obama administration which created federal workplace protections for LGBT people,<ref>{{cite news |last=Peters |first=Jeremy W. |authorlink=Jeremy W. Peters |title=Obama's Protections for L.G.B.T. Workers Will Remain Under Trump |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/30/us/politics/obama-trump-protections-lgbt-workers.html |accessdate=February 2, 2017 |work=] |date=January 30, 2017}}</ref> in March 2017, the Trump administration rolled back key components of the Obama administration's workplace protections for LGBT people.<ref name=NBCNews>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/lgbtq-advocates-say-trump-s-news-executive-order-makes-them-n740301 |title=LGBTQ Advocates Say Trump's New Executive Order Makes Them Vulnerable to Discrimination |website=] |first=Mary Emily |last=O'Hara |access-date=July 30, 2017}}</ref>

Trump supports a broad interpretation of the ] and says he is ] to ] in general,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newsweek.com/brief-history-donald-trumps-stance-gun-rights-461705 |title=A brief history of Donald Trump's stance on gun rights |work=] |last=Gorman |first=Michele |date=May 20, 2016}}</ref><ref name="OWSAR">{{cite web |title=Second Amendment Rights |url=https://www.donaldjtrump.com/positions/second-amendment-rights |website=Donald J. Trump for President |accessdate=May 22, 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107050849/https://www.donaldjtrump.com/positions/second-amendment-rights |archivedate=January 7, 2016 |quote=There has been a national background check system in place since 1998&nbsp;... Too many states are failing to put criminal and mental health records into the system&nbsp;... What we need to do is fix the system we have and make it work as intended.}}</ref> although his views have shifted over time.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/20/politics/donald-trump-gun-positions-nra-orlando/ |title=The times Trump changed his positions on guns |website=] |date=June 20, 2016 |first=Gregory |last=Krieg}}</ref> Trump opposes ] but supports legalizing ].<ref name="Cannabis">{{cite web |title=Donald Trump on Marijuana |url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4541840/donald-trump-marijuana |website=] |accessdate=October 17, 2018}}</ref> He favors ],<ref name="Cop_killers">{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2015/12/10/politics/donald-trump-police-officers-death-penalty/ |title=Trump: Death penalty for cop killers |date=December 11, 2015 |website=] |last=Diamond |first=Jeremy |authorlink=Jeremy Diamond |accessdate=March 15, 2016}}</ref><ref name="FullPageAd1989">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/01/nyregion/angered-by-attack-trump-urges-return-of-the-death-penalty.html |title=Angered by Attack, Trump Urges Return of the Death Penalty |date=May 1, 1989 |work=] |last=Foderaro |first=Lisa |accessdate=March 15, 2016}}</ref> as well as the use of ] and "a hell of a lot worse" methods.<ref name="theguardian.com">{{cite news |last=McCarthy |first=Tom |title=Donald Trump: I'd bring back 'a hell of a lot worse than waterboarding' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/feb/06/donald-trump-waterboarding-republican-debate-torture |newspaper=] |accessdate=February 8, 2016}}</ref><ref name="ABC News">{{cite news |title=Ted Cruz, Donald Trump Advocate Bringing Back Waterboarding |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/video/ted-cruz-donald-trump-advocate-bringing-back-waterboarding-36764410 |website=] |date=February 6, 2016 |accessdate=February 9, 2016}}</ref>

==== Pardons and commutations ====

{{Main|List of people granted executive clemency by Donald Trump}}

In August 2017, Trump pardoned former sheriff ], who was awaiting sentencing for ] in a class action that alleged ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-arpaio-criminal-contempt-20161025-snap-story.html |title=Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio is officially charged with criminal contempt in racial profiling case |newspaper=] |agency=] |date=October 25, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/trump-grants-pardon-former-sheriff-joe-arpaio-n796191 |title=President Trump Grants Pardon for Former Sheriff Joe Arpaio |first1=Vaughn |last1=Hillyard |first2=Phil |last2=Helsel |work=] |date=August 26, 2017 |access-date=April 29, 2020}}</ref> In March 2018, he pardoned former Navy sailor ], who had been found guilty of taking classified photographs of a submarine.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/03/09/592440282/trump-pardons-ex-navy-sailor-sentenced-for-photos-of-submarine |title=Trump Pardons Ex-Navy Sailor Sentenced For Photos of Submarine |first=Ryan |last=Lucas |work=] |date=March 9, 2018 |access-date=April 29, 2020}}</ref> In April 2018 he pardoned ], a political aide to former Vice President ]. Libby had been convicted of obstruction of justice, ] and making false statements to the FBI.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/13/president-trump-plans-to-pardon-former-cheney-chief-of-staff-scooter-libby.html |title=President Trump pardons former Cheney chief of staff Scooter Libby |first1=Mike |last1=Calia |first2=Jacob |last2=Pramuk |date=April 13, 2018 |work=] |access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref> In May 2018 he granted a posthumous pardon to ], a black boxer who had been convicted in 1913 for traveling across state lines with his white girlfriend.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Mrjbk8zc7PgC&pg=PA164&dq=Jack+Johnson |title=What Comes Naturally: Miscegenation Law and the Making of Race in America |last=Pascoe |first=Peggy |publisher=] |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-19-509463-3 |location=Oxford, England |pages=164–165 |oclc=221155113 |access-date=April 29, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/24/sports/jack-johnson-pardon-trump.html |title=Trump Pardons Jack Johnson, Heavyweight Boxing Champion |newspaper=] |date=May 24, 2018 |access-date=June 3, 2018}}</ref> In June 2018 he pardoned conservative commentator ], who had made illegal political campaign contributions.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-offers-pardon-to-conservative-pundit-dinesh-dsouza-for-campaign-finance-violations/2018/05/31/b4939a08-64d5-11e8-a768-ed043e33f1dc_story.html |title=Trump pardons conservative pundit Dinesh D'Souza, suggests others also could receive clemency |work=] |first1=Philip |last1=Rucker |author1link=Philip Rucker |first2=Josh |last2=Dawsey |author2link=Josh Dawsey |first3=John |last3=Wagner |date=June 1, 2018 |access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref> That month he also commuted the life sentence of ], a non-violent drug trafficking offender, following a request by celebrity ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-has-commuted-the-life-sentence-of-alice-marie-johnson-a-woman-whose-case-was-championed-by-kim-kardashian/2018/06/06/ce5bbf20-69a7-11e8-9e38-24e693b38637_story.html |title=Trump has commuted the life sentence of Alice Marie Johnson, a woman whose case was championed by Kim Kardashian |newspaper=] |first1=John |last1=Wagner |first2=Sari |last2=Horwitz |date=June 6, 2018 |access-date=June 13, 2018}}</ref> In February 2020, Trump pardoned white-collar criminals ], ], and ], and ] former Illinois governor ]'s 14-year corruption sentence.<ref name="Commutation">{{Cite news |last1=Baker |first1=Peter |author1link=Peter Baker (journalist) |last2=Haberman |first2=Maggie |author2link=Maggie Haberman |last3=Shear |first3=Michael D. |author3link=Michael D. Shear |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/18/us/politics/trump-pardon-debartolo.html |title=Trump Commutes Corruption Sentence of Governor Rod Blagojevich of Illinois |date=February 18, 2020 |newspaper=] |access-date=February 18, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Seidel |first1=Jon |last2=Sneed |first2=Michael |last3=Sweet |first3=Lynn |author3link=Lynn Sweet |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2020/2/18/20792391/rod-blagojevich-trump-clemency-illinois-governor-patti |title=President frees imprisoned ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevioch-now a grateful 'Trumpocrat' |date=February 19, 2020 |access-date=February 20, 2020 |newspaper=]}}</ref>

In July 2020, Trump commuted the 40-month prison sentence for his friend and adviser Roger Stone, who had been soon due to report to jail for his actions during the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential elections. The sentencing judge had previously described that Stone was "prosecuted for covering up for the president"{{snd}}Trump himself. A month before the commutation, Trump had declared that Stone "can sleep well at night!"<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gregorian |first1=Dareh |last2=Bennett |first2=Geoff |last3=Williams |first3=Pete |title=Trump commutes Roger Stone's prison sentence after he was convicted of covering up for the president |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-commutes-roger-stone-s-prison-sentence-after-he-was-n1138981 |accessdate=July 11, 2020 |work=] |date=July 11, 2020}}</ref>

=== Immigration ===

{{Main|Immigration policy of Donald Trump}}

Trump's proposed immigration policies were a topic of bitter and contentious debate during the campaign. He promised to build ] on the ] to keep out ] and vowed Mexico would pay for it.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-37243269 |title=Who pays for Donald Trump's wall? |date=February 6, 2017 |work=] |accessdate=December 9, 2017}}</ref> He pledged to massively deport ],<ref name="CBC_August29_2015">{{cite news |title=Donald Trump emphasizes plans to build 'real' wall at Mexico border |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/donald-trump-emphasizes-plans-to-build-real-wall-at-mexico-border-1.3196807 |website=] |accessdate=September 29, 2015 |date=August 19, 2015}}</ref> and criticized ] for creating "]".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2015/08/donald-trump-has-some-thoughts-about-the-constitution |title=Donald Trump: The 14th Amendment is Unconstitutional |work=] |date=August 19, 2015 |accessdate=November 22, 2015 |first=Inae |last=Oh}}</ref> He said deportation would focus on criminals, visa overstays, and security threats.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://abc13.com/politics/trump-vows-no-amnesty-in-immigration-speech/1493776/ |title=Trump retreats on deportations, vows no amnesty |publisher=] |location=Houston, Texas |date=September 1, 2016 |agency=] |accessdate=September 2, 2016}}</ref> As president, he frequently described illegal immigration as an "invasion" and conflated immigrants with the gang ], though research shows undocumented immigrants have a lower crime rate than native-born Americans.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2019/08/08/trump-immigrants-rhetoric-criticized-el-paso-dayton-shootings/1936742001/ |title=A USA TODAY analysis found Trump used words like 'invasion' and 'killer' at rallies more than 500 times since 2017 |last=Fritze |first=John |website=] |access-date=August 9, 2019 |date=August 8, 2019}}</ref>

Trump has attempted to drastically escalate immigration enforcement.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Johnson |first1=Kevin |title=Immigration and civil rights in the Trump administration: Law and policy making by executive order |journal=] |date=2017 |volume=57 |issue=3 |pages=611–665 |url=https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals/saclr57&div=21&id=&page= |accessdate=June 1, 2020}}</ref> Some of the results are harsher immigration enforcement policies against asylum seekers from Central America than any modern U.S. president before him, and a significantly increased usage of migrant detentions and deportations.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Johnson |first1=Kevin |last2=Cuison-Villazor |first2=Rose |title=The Trump Administration and the War on Immigration Diversity |journal=] |date=May 2, 2019 |url=https://heinonline.org/hol-cgi-bin/get_pdf.cgi?handle=hein.journals/wflr54&section=21 |accessdate=June 1, 2020}}</ref><ref name=Ricciardelli/> This was accompanied by the Trump administration's mandating in 2018 that immigration judges must complete 700 cases a year to be evaluated as performing satisfactorily.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Spagat |first1=Elliot |title=Justice Department imposes quotas on immigration judges |url=https://apnews.com/3b1f1f09171141b5b99dece73afbf202/Justice-Department-imposes-quotas-on-immigration-judges |accessdate=June 4, 2020 |work=] |date=April 3, 2018}}</ref>

In other immigration policies, Trump has from 2018 onwards ],<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mitchell |first1=Ellen |title=Pentagon to send a 'few thousand' more troops to southern border |url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/427519-pentagon-to-send-a-few-thousand-more-troops-to-southern-border |accessdate=June 4, 2020 |work=] |date=January 29, 2019}}</ref> in 2019 was allowed by the Supreme Court to stop most Central American migrants from seeking U.S. asylum,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Liptak |first1=Adam |title=Supreme Court Says Trump Can Bar Asylum Seekers While Legal Fight Continues |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/11/us/politics/supreme-court-trump-asylum.html |accessdate=June 4, 2020 |work=] |date=September 11, 2019}}</ref> and from 2020 used the ] to restrict immigrants using government benefits from getting permanent residency via ]s.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rosenberg |first1=Mica |title=New U.S. rule targeting poor immigrants sows fear, confusion, advocates say |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration/new-u-s-rule-targeting-poor-immigrants-sows-fear-confusion-advocates-say-idUSKCN20I2BW |accessdate=June 4, 2020 |work=] |date=February 25, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Snow |first1=Anita |title=Crackdown on immigrants who use public benefits takes effect |url=https://apnews.com/e069e5a84057752a8535b1abe5d2ba6d |accessdate=June 4, 2020 |work=] |date=February 25, 2020}}</ref> Trump has continually reduced the number of allowed refugees into the country; when Trump took office the annual limit was 110,000, in 2019 Trump set a limit of 18,000, a record low for ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Donald Trump has cut refugee admissions to America to a record low |url=https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2019/11/04/donald-trump-has-cut-refugee-admissions-to-america-to-a-record-low |accessdate=June 25, 2020 |work=] |date=November 4, 2019}}</ref> Additional restrictions implemented by the Trump administration caused (potentially long-lasting) bottlenecks in processing refugee applications, resulting in fewer refugees accepted compared to the allowed limits.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hesson |first1=Ted |title=Trump ending U.S. role as worldwide leader on refugees |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/11/trump-refugee-decrease-immigration-044186 |accessdate=June 25, 2020 |work=] |date=October 11, 2019}}</ref>

==== Travel ban ====

{{Main|Executive Order 13769|Executive Order 13780}}

Following the ], Trump made a controversial proposal to ban Muslim foreigners from entering the United States until stronger vetting systems could be implemented.<ref>{{cite news |first=Eugene |last=Scott |title=Trump: My Muslim friends don't support my immigration ban |date=December 13, 2015 |website=] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2015/12/13/politics/donald-trump-muslim-ban-state-of-the-union/}}</ref><ref name=Barro>{{cite news |first=Josh |last=Barro |title=How Unpopular Is Trump's Muslim Ban? Depends How You Ask |date=December 15, 2015 |website=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/16/upshot/how-unpopular-is-trumps-muslim-ban-depends-how-you-ask.html |quote=Donald J. Trump's proposal to bar Muslim noncitizens from entering the United States&nbsp;...}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first1=Jill |last1=Colvin |first2=Bill |last2=Barrow |title=Donald Trump's supporters see plenty of sense in views that his critics denounce |date=December 14, 2015 |website=] |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2015-12-14/trump-supporters-shrug-off-the-fuss-say-he-gets-it |quote=He said American citizens, including Muslim members of the military, would be exempt, as would certain world leaders and athletes coming to the U.S. to compete.}}</ref> He later reframed the proposed ban to apply to countries with a "proven history of terrorism".<ref name=Scots>{{cite news |work=] |date=June 25, 2016 |first=Jenna |last=Johnson |title=Trump now says Muslim ban only applies to those from terrorism-heavy countries |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-donald-trump-muslim-ban-20160625-story.html |quote= reporter asked Trump if would be OK with a Muslim from Scotland coming into the United States and he said it 'wouldn't bother me'. Afterward, Hicks said in an email that Trump's ban would now just apply to Muslims in terror states&nbsp;...}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |website=] |date=June 13, 2016 |first=Scott |last=Detrow |title=Trump Calls To Ban Immigration From Countries With 'Proven History Of Terrorism' |url=https://www.npr.org/2016/06/13/481910989/trump-expands-immigration-ban-to-countries-with-proven-history-of-terrorism |quote=I will suspend immigration from areas of the world where there's a proven history of terrorism against the United States, Europe or our allies until we fully understand how to end these threats.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/07/22/us/politics/trump-immigration-ban-how-could-it-work.html |title=Trump Vows to Stop Immigration From Nations 'Compromised' by Terrorism. How Could It Work? |last=Park |first=Haeyoun |date=July 22, 2016 |newspaper=] |accessdate=July 25, 2016}}</ref>

On January 27, 2017, Trump signed ], which suspended admission of refugees for 120 days and denied entry to citizens of Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen for 90 days, citing security concerns. The order took effect immediately and without warning.<ref name="BBC.March.6.17">{{cite news |title=Trump signs new travel ban directive |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-39183153 |accessdate=March 18, 2017 |work=] |date=March 6, 2017}}</ref> Confusion and protests caused chaos at airports.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Grinberg |first1=Emanuella |last2=Park |first2=Madison |title=2nd day of protests over Trump's immigration policies |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2017/01/29/politics/us-immigration-protests/ |accessdate=March 18, 2017 |website=] |date=January 30, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jan/28/airports-us-immigration-ban-muslim-countries-trump |title=US airports on frontline as Donald Trump's travel ban causes chaos and protests |date=January 28, 2017 |work=] |accessdate=July 19, 2017}}</ref> ], the acting ], directed Justice Department lawyers not to defend the executive order, which she deemed unenforceable and unconstitutional;<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/01/30/politics/donald-trump-immigration-order-department-of-justice/index.html |title=Trump fires acting AG after she declines to defend travel ban |first1=Evan |last1=Perez |first2=Jeremy |last2=Diamond |author2link=Jeremy Diamond (journalist) |website=] |date=January 30, 2017 |accessdate=March 12, 2018}}</ref> Trump immediately dismissed her.<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump Fires Acting Attorney General Who Defied Him |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/30/us/politics/trump-immigration-ban-memo.html |newspaper=] |accessdate=August 29, 2017 |date=January 30, 2017 |first1=Michael D. |last1=Shear |author1link=Michael D. Shear |first2=Mark |last2=Landler |author2link=Mark Landler |first3=Matt |last3=Apuzzo |author3link=Matt Apuzzo |first4=Eric |last4=Lichtblau |author4link=Eric Lichtblau}}</ref> ] were filed against the order, and on February{{nbsp}}5 a federal judge in Seattle blocked its implementation nationwide.<ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=February 4, 2017 |first1=Devlin |last1=Barrett |first2=Dan |last2=Frosch |title=Federal Judge Temporarily Halts Trump Order on Immigration, Refugees |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/legal-feud-over-trump-immigration-order-turns-to-visa-revocations-1486153216}}</ref><ref name="LiptakStands">{{cite news |work=] |date=February 5, 2017 |first=Adam |last=Liptak |authorlink=Adam Liptak |title=Where Trump's Travel Ban Stands |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/05/us/politics/trumps-travel-ban.html}}</ref> On March 6, Trump issued ], which excluded Iraq, gave specific exemptions for ], and removed priorities for Christian minorities.<ref name="Chakraborty3/6/17">{{cite news |last=Chakraborty |first=Barnini |title=Trump Signs New Immigration Order, Narrows Scope of Travel Ban |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/03/06/trump-signs-new-immigration-order-narrows-scope-travel-ban.html |date=March 6, 2017 |website=] |accessdate=March 6, 2017}}</ref><ref name="BBC.March.6.17" /> Again federal judges in three states blocked its implementation.<ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=March 15, 2017 |first1=Dan |last1=Levine |first2=Mica |last2=Rosenberg |title=Hawaii judge halts Trump's new travel ban before it can go into effect |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-court-idUSKBN16M17N}}</ref> On June 26, 2017, the ] ruled that the ban could be enforced on visitors who lack a "credible claim of a ''bona fide'' relationship with a person or entity in the United States".<ref name="TravelBanScotus1">{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-travel-ban-supreme-court-20170626-story.html |title=Trump says Supreme Court decision on travel ban a 'clear victory for our national security' |work=] |first=Mark |last=Sherman |agency=] |date=June 26, 2017 |accessdate=June 27, 2017}}</ref>

The temporary order was replaced by ] on September 24, 2017, which permanently restricts travel from the originally targeted countries except Iraq and Sudan, and further bans travelers from North Korea and Chad, along with certain Venezuelan officials.<ref name="Guardian.Oct.10.13">{{cite news |last=Laughland |first=Oliver |date=September 25, 2017 |title=Trump travel ban extended to blocks on North Korea, Venezuela and Chad |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/sep/25/trump-travel-ban-extended-to-blocks-on-north-korea-and-venezuela |work=] |accessdate=October 13, 2017}}</ref> After lower courts partially blocked the new restrictions, the Supreme Court allowed the September version to go into full effect on December 4, 2017,<ref>{{cite news |title=Supreme Court lets Trump's latest travel ban go into full effect |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-court-immigration/supreme-court-lets-trumps-latest-travel-ban-go-into-full-effect-idUSKBN1DY2NY |first=Lawrence |last=Hurley |date=December 4, 2017 |work=]}}</ref> and ultimately upheld the travel ban in a June 2019 ruling.<ref name=Wagner>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/supreme-court-travel-ban/index.html |title=Supreme Court upholds Trump's travel ban |website=] |date=June 26, 2018 |accessdate=June 26, 2018 |last1=Wagner |first1=Meg |last2=Ries |first2=Brian}}</ref>

==== Family separation at border ====

{{Main|Trump administration family separation policy}}
{{multiple image
| direction = vertical
| width = 220
| image1 = Ursula (detention center) 1.png
| alt1 = Children sitting within a wire mesh compartment
| image2 = Ursula (detention center) 2.jpg
| alt2 = Children and juveniles in a wire mesh compartment, showing sleeping mats and thermal blankets on floor
| footer = Children sitting within a wire mesh compartment in the ] in ], June 2018
}}

The Trump administration has separated more than 5,400 migrant children from their parents at the U.S.–Mexico border while the families attempted to enter the U.S.<ref name=Spagat>{{cite news |last1=Spagat |first1=Elliot |title=Tally of children split at border tops 5,400 in new count |url=https://apnews.com/c654e652a4674cf19304a4a4ff599feb |accessdate=May 30, 2020 |work=] |date=October 25, 2019}}</ref> The Trump administration sharply increased the number of family separations at the border starting from the summer of 2017, before an official policy was announced in 2018; this was not reported publicly until January 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pearle |first1=Lauren |title=Trump administration admits thousands more migrant families may have been separated than estimated |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/trump-administration-unsure-thousands-migrant-families-separated-originally/story?id=60797633 |accessdate=May 30, 2020 |work=] |date=February 5, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Long |first1=Colleen |last2=Alonso-Zaldivar |first2=Ricardo |title=Watchdog: Thousands more children may have been separated |url=https://apnews.com/c648954057594364b01a38b8d16701ac |accessdate=May 30, 2020 |work=] |date=January 18, 2019}}</ref>

In April 2018, the Trump administration announced and enacted a "]" immigration policy, whereby every adult illegally crossing the border would be criminally prosecuted.<ref name=Farivar>{{cite news |last1=Farivar |first1=Masood |title=Sessions Announces 'Zero-Tolerance' Policy on Illegal Border Crossings |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/jeff-sessions-zero-tolerance-policy-illegal-entry-us/4336134.html |work=] |accessdate=May 30, 2020}}</ref> This resulted in family separations, as the migrant adults were put in criminal detention for prosecution, while the migrant children were taken away as unaccompanied alien minors.<ref>{{cite news |last=Savage |first=Charlie |authorlink=Charlie Savage |title=Explaining Trump's Executive Order on Family Separation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/20/us/politics/family-separation-executive-order.html |website=] |accessdate=May 30, 2020 |date=June 20, 2018}}</ref> The children would be brought to immigration detention, immigrant shelters, tent camps, or metal cages, with the stated aim of releasing them to relatives or sponsors.<ref name=Domonoske>{{cite news |last1=Domonoske |first1=Camila |last2=Gonzales |first2=Richard |title=What We Know: Family Separation And 'Zero Tolerance' At The Border |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/06/19/621065383/what-we-know-family-separation-and-zero-tolerance-at-the-border |accessdate=May 30, 2020 |work=] |date=June 19, 2018}}</ref> Administration officials described the policy as a deterrent against illegal immigration.<ref name=Domonoske/> Previous administrations had no such policy of generally separating migrant families with children.<ref name=Domonoske/>

The policy of family separations sparked public outrage,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Epstein |first1=Jennifer |title=Donald Trump's family separations bedevil GOP as public outrage grows |url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/donald-trump-s-family-separations-bedevil-gop-as-public-outrage-grows-20180618-p4zm9h.html |accessdate=May 30, 2020 |work=] |date=June 18, 2018}}</ref> and resulted in demands from Democrats, Republicans, Trump allies, and religious groups that the policy be rescinded.<ref name=Colvin>{{cite news |url=https://time.com/5314595/donald-trump-family-separation-policy-dividing-republicans/ |title=President Trump's Family Separation Policy Is Dividing Republicans |website=] |date=June 18, 2018 |accessdate=June 18, 2018 |last=Colvin |first=Jill |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618091110/http://time.com/5314595/donald-trump-family-separation-policy-dividing-republicans/ |archive-date=June 18, 2018}}</ref> Trump reacted by falsely asserting that his administration was merely following the law, blaming Democrats, when in fact this was his administration's policy.<ref name=Davis>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/15/us/politics/trump-immigration-separation-border.html |title=Separated at the Border From Their Parents: In Six Weeks, 1,995 Children |website=] |date=June 15, 2018 |accessdate=June 18, 2018 |last=Davis |first=Julie}}</ref><ref name=McArdle>{{cite news |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/news/white-house-blames-democrats-for-separation-of-families-at-border/ |title=White House Blames Democrats for Separation of Families at Border |website=] |date=June 15, 2018 |accessdate=June 18, 2018 |last=McArdle |first=Mairead}}</ref><ref name=Sarlin>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/immigration-border-crisis/despite-claims-gop-immigration-bill-would-not-end-family-separation-n883701 |title=Despite claims, GOP immigration bill would not end family separation, experts say |website=] |date=June 15, 2018 |accessdate=June 18, 2018 |last=Sarlin |first=Benjy}}</ref> More than 2,300 children were separated as a result of the "zero tolerance policy", the Trump administration revealed in June 2018.<ref name=Domonoske/>

Although Trump originally argued that the issue could not be solved via executive order, he proceeded to sign an executive order on June 20, 2018, mandating that migrant families be detained together, unless the administration judged that doing so would harm the child.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Beckwith |first1=Ryan |title=Here's What President Trump's Immigration Order Actually Does |url=https://time.com/5317703/trump-family-separation-policy-executive-order/ |accessdate=May 30, 2020 |work=] |date=June 20, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=June 20, 2018 |first1=Michael D. |last1=Shear |author1link=Michael D. Shear |first2=Abby |last2=Goodnough |first3=Maggie |last3=Haberman |author3link=Maggie Haberman |title=Trump Retreats on Separating Families, but Thousands May Remain Apart |accessdate=June 20, 2018 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/20/us/politics/trump-immigration-children-executive-order.html}}</ref> On June 26, 2018, a federal judge concluded that the Trump administration had "no system in place to keep track of" the separated children, nor any effective measures for family communication and reunification;<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hansler |first1=Jennifer |title=Judge says government does a better job of tracking 'personal property' than separated kids |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/06/27/politics/family-separation-federal-judge-personal-property-comment/index.html |accessdate=May 30, 2020 |work=] |date=June 27, 2018}}</ref> the judge ordered for the families to be reunited, and family separations stopped, except in the cases where the parent(s) are judged unfit to take care of the child, or if there is parental approval.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jun/27/us-immigration-must-reunite-families-separated-at-border-federal-judge-rules |title=Judge orders US to reunite families separated at border within 30 days |last=Walters |first=Joanna |date=June 27, 2018 |website=] |accessdate=May 30, 2020}}</ref>

4,370 children were separated from July 2017 to June 2018, reported the Trump administration in October 2019.<ref name=Spagat/> Even after the June 2018 federal judge order, the Trump administration continued to practice family separations, with more than a thousand migrant children separated.<ref name=Spagat/>

==== Migrant detentions ====

{{Main|Trump administration migrant detentions}}
] were reported by inspectors from the federal government in June 2019.<ref name=OIGjuly2019>{{cite web |title=Management Alert – DHS Needs to Address Dangerous Overcrowding and Prolonged Detention of Children and Adults in the Rio Grande Valley (Redacted) |url=https://www.oig.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/assets/2019-07/OIG-19-51-Jul19_.pdf |publisher=]|accessdate=July 13, 2019 |date=July 2, 2019}}</ref>]]

The Trump administration has taken a harsher approach than previous administrations regarding migrant detentions, by allowing no exemptions for detention unlike the George W. Bush and Obama administrations.<ref name=davisshear>{{cite web |last1=Davis |first1=Julie Hirschfeld |author1link=Julie Hirschfeld Davis |last2=Shear |first2=Michael D. |author2link=Michael D. Shear |title=How Trump Came to Enforce a Practice of Separating Migrant Families |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/16/us/politics/family-separation-trump.html |website=] |accessdate=May 30, 2020 |date=June 16, 2018}}</ref> While the Obama administration already employed a high level of detentions and deportations for migrants, the Trump administration took it to a significantly higher level.<ref name=Ricciardelli>{{cite journal |last1=Ricciardelli |first1=Lauren |last2=Nackerud |first2=Larry |last3=Cochrane |first3=Katherine |last4=Sims |first4=India |last5=Crawford |first5=Latifa |last6=Taylor |first6=Demetria |title=A Snapshot of Immigration Court at Stewart Detention Center: How Social Workers Can Advocate & Advance Social Justice Efforts in the United States |journal=Critical Social Work |date=July 18, 2019 |volume=20 |issue=1 |url=https://ojs.uwindsor.ca/index.php/csw/article/view/5960 |accessdate=May 31, 2019 |doi=10.22329/csw.v20i1.5960 |doi-access=free}}</ref> In April 2018, Trump ordered an end to the "]" policy which released illegal immigrants from detention pending a court hearing.<ref name=Farivar/>

Government inspectors from the ] conducted spot-checks of migrant detention centers in June 2018, finding that ] "in many instances" violated federal guidelines for detaining migrant children for too long before passing them to the ].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Duehren |first1=Andrew |title=U.S. Government Watchdog Reports Faults in DHS Migrant Family Separation Policy |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-government-watchdog-reports-faults-in-dhs-migrant-family-separation-policy-1538506696 |accessdate=May 30, 2020 |work=] |date=October 2, 2018}}</ref> Meanwhile, Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection ] said in March 2019 there was a "border security and a humanitarian crisis", with the system for handling migrants already at a "breaking point" due to an increase in migrants.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Borunda |first1=Daniel |first2=Aaron |last2=Martinez |title=CBP commissioner visits El Paso border, says immigration system at 'breaking point' |url=https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/2019/03/27/live-us-customs-and-border-protection-talks-el-paso-border-crisis-immigration/3282390002/ |work=] |date=March 27, 2019}}</ref> The government inspectors released further reports in May 2019 and July 2019 of migrants being detained under conditions failing federal standards. They reported migrants enduring prolonged detention, "dangerous overcrowding", poor hygiene and food standards.<ref>{{cite news |website=] |last1=Haynes |first1=Danielle |title=Watchdog: 'Dangerous overcrowding' of migrant processing center |url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2019/05/31/Watchdog-Dangerous-overcrowding-of-migrant-processing-center/6021559326553/ |accessdate=May 30, 2020 |date=May 31, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Kiely |first1=Eugene |last2=Farley |first2=Robert |last3=Robertson |first3=Lori |title=Confusion at the Border |url=https://www.factcheck.org/2019/07/confusion-at-the-border/ |website=] |accessdate=May 30, 2020 |date=July 3, 2019}}</ref> In June 2019 and July 2019, lawyers, a certified doctor, and lawmakers visited the migrant detention facilities, reporting a lack of supervision, traumatized children, and many sick migrants respectively.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Attanasio |first1=Cedar |last2=Burke |first2=Garance |last3=Mendoza |first3=Martha |title=Attorneys: Texas border facility is neglecting migrant kids |url=https://apnews.com/46da2dbe04f54adbb875cfbc06bbc615 |website=] |accessdate=May 30, 2020 |date=June 21, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Marshall |first1=Serena |last2=Zak |first2=Lana |last3=Metz |first3=Jennifer |title=Doctor compares conditions for unaccompanied children at immigrant holding centers to 'torture facilities' |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/doctor-compares-conditions-immigrant-holding-centers-torture-facilities/story?id=63879031 |website=] |accessdate=May 30, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Herbst |first1=Diane |title='Haunting Cries of Babies and Toddlers': Inside a Migrant Border Facility at Center of National Controversy |url=https://people.com/politics/immigrant-detention-center-ursula-photos-jackie-speier/ |website=] |accessdate=May 30, 2020 |date=July 19, 2019}}</ref>

The treatment of the detained migrants resulted in public indignation by July 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ferris |first1=Sarah |title=Dems seize offensive against Trump after detention center outrage |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/07/03/democrats-trump-immigration-detention-centers-border-1398414 |accessdate=May 30, 2020 |work=] |date=July 3, 2019}}</ref> Also that month, Trump reacted to criticism of the migrant detentions by declaring that U.S. Border Patrol was doing a "great job", and if the migrants were unhappy about the conditions of the detention facilities, "just tell them not to come."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brice |first1=Makini |title=Trump says immigrants 'unhappy' with detention centers should stay home |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration/trump-says-immigrants-unhappy-with-detention-centers-should-stay-home-idUSKCN1TY1A5 |website=] |accessdate=July 22, 2019 |date=May 30, 2020}}</ref> Meanwhile, Vice President Pence visited an overcrowded facility, where he reacted by saying "this is tough stuff" and the system is "overwhelmed".<ref>{{cite web |title=Pence tour of migrant center shows men crowded in cages |url=https://www.apnews.com/b86e9b1944b84a729ccdb77f59d356d3 |website=] |accessdate=May 30, 2020 |date=July 13, 2019}}</ref>

In August 2019, the administration attempted to change the 1997 ] that limits detention of migrant families to 20 days; the new policy allowing indefinite detention was blocked before it would go into effect.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cooke |first1=Kristina |title=U.S. judge blocks Trump rule on migrant child detention |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration/us-judge-blocks-trump-rule-on-migrant-child-detention-idUSKBN1WC2ED |accessdate=June 24, 2020 |work=] |date=September 28, 2019}}</ref>

==== 2018–2019 federal government shutdown ====

{{Main|2018–19 United States federal government shutdown}}
].]]

On December 22, 2018, the federal government was partially shut down after Trump declared that any funding extension must include $5.6&nbsp;billion in federal funds for a ] to partly fulfill his campaign promise.<ref>{{Cite news |first1=Julie Hirschfeld |last1=Davis |author1link=Julie Hirschfeld Davis |first2=Michael |last2=Tackett |author2link=Michael Tackett |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/02/us/politics/trump-congress-shutdown.html |title=Trump and Democrats Dig In After Talks to Reopen Government Go Nowhere |newspaper=]|date=January 2, 2019 |access-date=January 3, 2019}}</ref> The shutdown was caused by a lapse in funding for nine federal departments, affecting about one-fourth of federal government activities.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wamsley |first=Laurel |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/01/09/683642605/how-is-the-shutdown-affecting-america-let-us-count-the-ways |title=How Is The Shutdown Affecting America? Let Us Count The Ways |date=January 9, 2019 |website=]}}</ref> Trump said he would not accept any bill that did not include funding for the wall, and Democrats, who control the House, said they would not support any bill that does. Senate Republicans have said they will not advance any legislation Trump would not sign.<ref>{{Cite news |first1=Damian |last1=Paletta |author1link=Damian Paletta |first2=Erica |last2=Werner |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/trump-falsely-claims-mexico-is-paying-for-wall-demands-taxpayer-money-before-meeting-with-top-democrats/2019/01/02/408bf86e-0e97-11e9-8938-5898adc28fa2_story.html |title=Trump falsely claims Mexico is paying for wall, demands taxpayer money for wall in meeting with Democrats |newspaper=] |date=January 2, 2019 |access-date=January 3, 2019}}</ref> In earlier negotiations with Democratic leaders, Trump commented that he would be "proud to shut down the government for border security".<ref name=Nakamura-190109>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/hes-a-gut-politician-trumps-go-to-negotiating-tactics-not-working-in-shutdown-standoff/2019/01/09/c7bb5ff2-142b-11e9-b6ad-9cfd62dbb0a8_story.html |title='He's a gut politician': Trump's go-to negotiating tactics aren't working in shutdown standoff |work=] |date=January 9, 2019 |accessdate=January 10, 2019 |first1=David |last1=Nakamura |author1link=David Nakamura |first2=Seung Min |last2=Kim |author2link=Seung Min Kim}}</ref>

The shutdown caused an estimated 380,000 government employees to be ]ed, while an estimated 420,000 government employees worked without getting paid; most of the affected workers missed two paychecks.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fritze |first1=John |title=By the numbers: How the government shutdown is affecting the US |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/01/24/government-shutdown-has-wide-impact-numbers/2666872002/ |accessdate=May 31, 2020 |work=] |date=January 27, 2020}}</ref> The shutdown resulted in a permanent loss of $3&nbsp;billion to the U.S. economy, estimated the ].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/28/government-shutdown-cost-the-economy-11-billion-cbo.html |title=Government shutdown cost the economy $11 billion: CBO |last=Mui |first=Ylan |date=January 28, 2019 |website=] |access-date=May 31, 2020}}</ref> A plurality of Americans blamed Trump for the shutdown, polls showed; the percentage increased as the shutdown continued, to around 50%. Trump's approval ratings also dropped.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bacon |first1=Perry |title=Why Trump Blinked |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/government-shutdown-ends/ |work=] |date=January 25, 2019}}</ref>

On January 25, 2019, the Senate and the House unanimously approved a temporary funding bill that provided no funds for the wall but would provide delayed paychecks to government workers. Trump signed the bill that day, ending the shutdown at 35 days. It was the ].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gambino |first1=Lauren |last2=Walters |first2=Joanna |title=Trump signs bill to end $6bn shutdown and temporarily reopen government |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jan/25/shutdown-latest-news-trump-reopens-government-deal-democrats |accessdate=May 31, 2020 |work=] |date=January 26, 2019 |agency=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Pramuk |first1=Jacob |title=Trump signs bill to temporarily reopen government after longest shutdown in history |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/25/senate-votes-to-reopen-government-and-end-shutdown-without-border-wall.html |accessdate=May 31, 2020 |work=] |date=January 25, 2019}}</ref>

Since the government funding was temporary, another shutdown loomed. On February 14, 2019, the Senate and the House approved a funding bill that included $1.375&nbsp;billion for 55 miles of border fences, in lieu of Trump's intended wall.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pramuk |first1=Jacob |title=Congress passes bill to prevent another US government shutdown, sending it to Trump |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/14/congress-votes-to-pass-spending-bill-and-avoid-government-shutdown.html |accessdate=May 31, 2020 |work=] |date=February 14, 2019}}</ref> Trump signed the bill on February 15, 2019, just hours before another shutdown would begin.<ref name=Wilkie>{{cite news |last1=Pramuk |first1=Jacob |last2=Wilkie |first2=Christina |title=Trump declares national emergency to build border wall, setting up massive legal fight |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/15/trump-national-emergency-declaration-border-wall-spending-bill.html |accessdate=May 31, 2020 |work=] |date=February 15, 2019}}</ref>

==== National emergency regarding the southern border ====

On February 15, 2019, after Trump received from Congress only $1.375&nbsp;billion for border fencing after demanding $5.7&nbsp;billion for the Trump wall, he declared a ], in hopes of getting another $6.7&nbsp;billion without congressional approval, using funds for military construction, ], and money from the Treasury.<ref name=Wilkie/> In doing so, Trump acknowledged that he "didn't need to" declare a national emergency, but he "would rather do it much faster".<ref name=Wilkie/>

Congress twice passed resolutions to block Trump's national emergency declarations, but Trump twice vetoed them, and Congress did not have enough votes override Trump's veto.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fabian |first1=Jordan |title=Trump issues first veto, warning of 'reckless' resolution |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/434212-trump-issues-first-veto-on-emergency-declaration |accessdate=May 31, 2020 |work=] |date=March 15, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Montoya-Galvez |first1=Camilo |title=Attempt to override Trump veto on national emergency resolution fails in House |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/attempt-to-override-trump-veto-on-national-emergency-resolution-fails-in-house/ |accessdate=May 31, 2020 |work=] |date=March 26, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Carney |first1=Jordain |title=Senate fails to override Trump veto over emergency declaration |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/466313-senate-fails-to-override-trumps-emergency-declaration-veto |accessdate=May 31, 2020 |work=] |date=October 17, 2019}}</ref> Trump's decision to divert other government funding to fund the wall resulted in legal challenges. In July 2019, the Supreme Court allowed Trump to use $2.5&nbsp;billion (originally meant for anti-drug programs) from the Department of Defense to build the Trump wall.<ref>{{cite news |last1=De Vogue |first1=Ariane |title=Supreme Court clears way for Trump admin to use Defense funds for border wall construction |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/26/politics/supreme-court-pentagon-border-wall-construction/index.html |accessdate=May 31, 2020 |work=] |date=July 27, 2019}}</ref><ref name=MQuinn>{{cite news |last1=Quinn |first1=Melissa |title=Federal judge blocks Trump administration from using Pentagon funds for wall |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/federal-judge-blocks-trump-administration-from-using-pentagon-funds-for-wall/ |accessdate=May 31, 2020 |work=] |date=December 11, 2019}}</ref> In December 2019, a federal judge stopped the Trump administration from using $3.6&nbsp;billion of military construction funds for the Trump wall.<ref name=MQuinn/>

==== Trump wall ====

{{Main|Trump wall}}

As a presidential candidate, Trump insisted that along the southern border he would build a wall{{snd}}not a fence{{snd}}saying there is a "big difference"<ref>{{cite news |last1=Farley |first1=Robert |title=Has the Border Wall Begun? |url=https://www.factcheck.org/2018/04/has-the-border-wall-begun/ |accessdate=May 31, 2020 |work=] |date=April 13, 2018}}</ref> and mentioning "concrete going very high". In January 2018 he again floated the idea of solid concrete.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Yen |first1=Hope |last2=Long |first2=Colleen |last3=Woodward |first3=Calvin |title=Trump's shift on concrete wall, tariff myth |url=https://apnews.com/d47a6370e5dd41289f86fc9d5e19c3d5 |work=] |accessdate=May 31, 2020}}</ref>

In 2017, the Mexico-U.S. border had 654 miles of primary fencing, 37 miles of secondary fencing and 14 miles of tertiary fencing.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cunningham |first1=Anne |title=Deporting Immigrants |date=December 15, 2017 |publisher=Greenhaven Publishing |isbn=9781534502406 |page=151 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nntmDwAAQBAJ |accessdate=May 31, 2020}}</ref> Trump's target, from 2015 to 2017, was 1,000 miles of wall.<ref name=wallisawall>{{cite news |last1=Cummings |first1=William |title='A WALL is a WALL!' Trump declares. But his definition has shifted a lot over time |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2019/01/08/trump-wall-concept-timeline/2503855002/ |accessdate=May 31, 2020 |work=] |date=January 31, 2019}}</ref> The Trump administration set a target of 450 miles of new or renovated barriers by December 2020, with an ultimate goal of 509 miles of new or renovated barriers by August 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Miroff |first1=Nick |last2=Blanco |first2=Adrian |title=Trump ramps up border-wall construction ahead of 2020 vote |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/national/immigration/border-wall-progress/ |accessdate=May 31, 2020 |work=] |date=February 6, 2020}}</ref> Even into 2020, Trump has repeatedly provided false assertions that Mexico is paying for the Trump wall, although American taxpayers are footing the bill from funds being diverted from the U.S. Department of Defense.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Woodward |first1=Calvin |title=AP FACT CHECK: Trump revives false claim on wall at CPAC |url=https://apnews.com/28e60e866f6d32cdadedd126e292eba7 |accessdate=May 31, 2020 |date=March 1, 2020 |work=]}}</ref>

In October 2018, the administration revealed two miles of replacement fences made of steel posts, which it called the first section of Trump's 'wall', although earlier that year Border Patrol had said the project was unrelated to the Trump wall and had been long planned (dating to 2009).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Flores |first1=Adolfo |title=A Plaque Says This Fence In Southern California Is The First Completed Section Of Trump's Border Wall |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/adolfoflores/immigration-wall-border-trump-dedication-fence |accessdate=May 31, 2020 |work=] |date=October 26, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Satherley |first1=Dan |title=Donald Trump's wall 'different than a fence' |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2018/10/donald-trump-s-wall-different-than-a-fence.html |accessdate=May 31, 2020 |work=] |date=October 29, 2018}}</ref> In December 2018 and January 2019, Trump tweeted out a design of a steel fence, and a picture of a fence, while declaring "the wall is coming."<ref name=wallisawall/> In February 2019, Trump said his administration had been "restricted to renovating" existing barriers, "and we need new wall."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Blake |first1=Aaron |title=Last week, Trump admitted his wall wasn't being built. Now, he's back to misleading. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/02/21/last-week-trump-admitted-his-wall-wasnt-being-built-now-hes-back-misleading/ |accessdate=May 31, 2020 |work=] |date=February 22, 2019}}</ref>

By November 2019, the Trump administration had replaced around 78 miles of the ] along the border; these replacement barriers were not walls, but fences made of ].<ref name=AlVal>{{cite news |last1=Alvarez |first1=Priscilla |last2=Valencia |first2=Nick |title=The private border wall group is building again, this time in Texas |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/11/15/politics/fisher-industries-border-wall/index.html |accessdate=May 30, 2020 |work=] |date=November 16, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Nichols |first1=Chris |title=Nancy Pelosi stated on November 17, 2019 in an interview on "Face the Nation": President Trump "hasn't built any new (border) wall" during his time in office. |url=https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2019/nov/23/nancy-pelosi/mostly-true-nancy-pelosis-claim-president-trump-ha/ |accessdate=May 31, 2020 |work=] |date=November 22, 2019}}</ref> The administration in November 2019 said it had "just started breaking ground" to build new barriers in areas where no structure existed.<ref name=AlVal/> By May 2020, the Trump administration had replaced 172 miles of dilapidated or outdated design barriers, and constructed 15 miles of new border barriers.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Valverde |first1=Miriam |title=Donald Trump stated on May 19, 2020 in a speech: "On the Southern border, as you know, the wall is going up, it's going up very rapidly. We're at 182 miles." |url=https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2020/may/20/donald-trump/facts-donald-trumps-claim-182-miles-border-wall-co/ |accessdate=May 31, 2020 |work=] |date=May 20, 2020}}</ref>

=== Foreign policy ===

{{Main|Foreign policy of the Donald Trump administration}}
], ], ] and other leaders at the ] in France, 2019]]
], and Egyptian president ] at the ] in Saudi Arabia]]

Trump has been described as a ]<ref name="Cassidy">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/john-cassidy/donald-trump-is-transforming-the-g-o-p-into-a-populist-nativist-party |title=Donald Trump Is Transforming the G.O.P. Into a Populist, Nativist Party |last=Cassidy |first=John |magazine=] |date=February 29, 2016 |accessdate=March 5, 2016}}</ref><ref name="rucker">{{cite news |first1=Philip |last1=Rucker |author1link=Philip Rucker |first2=Robert |last2=Costa |author2link=Robert Costa (journalist) |title=Trump questions need for NATO, outlines noninterventionist foreign policy |date=March 21, 2016 |website=] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/03/21/donald-trump-reveals-foreign-policy-team-in-meeting-with-the-washington-post/}}</ref> and an ].<ref name="nationalinterest.org">{{cite news |url=https://nationalinterest.org/feature/donald-trump-american-nationalist-14237 |title=Donald Trump, American Nationalist |newspaper=] |date=November 3, 2015 |first=Colin |last=Dueck}}</ref> He has repeatedly said he supports an "]" foreign policy.<ref>{{cite news |first=Christiane |last=Amanpour |authorlink=Christiane Amanpour |title=Donald Trump's speech: 'America first', but an America absent from the world |date=July 22, 2016 |website=] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/07/22/opinions/donald-trump-speech-amanpour/}}</ref> He supports increasing United States military defense spending,<ref name="nationalinterest.org" /> but favors decreasing United States spending on ] and in the Pacific region.<ref>{{cite news |title=Donald Trump reveals his isolationist foreign-policy instincts |date=May 22, 2016 |website=] |url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2016/03/aipac-and-foreign-policy}}</ref> He says America should look inward, stop "nation building", and re-orient its resources toward domestic needs.<ref name="rucker" />

His foreign policy has been marked by repeated praise and support of ] and ] ] and criticism of ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://carnegieendowment.org/2018/10/01/can-u.s.-democracy-policy-survive-trump-pub-77381 |title=Can U.S. Democracy Policy Survive Trump? |last=Carothers |first=Thomas |last2=Brown |first2=Frances Z. |date=October 1, 2019 |website=] |access-date=October 19, 2019}}</ref> Trump has cited China's president ],<ref>{{cite news |website=] |date=March 4, 2018 |title=US President Donald Trump praises China's Xi Jinping for consolidating grip on power |url=https://www.dw.com/en/us-president-donald-trump-praises-chinas-xi-jinping-for-consolidating-grip-on-power/a-42817441}}</ref> Philippines president ],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/3857619/donald-trump-praises-philippines-duterte/ |title=Donald Trump repeatedly praises Philippines' President Duterte during Asia trip |website=] |date=November 13, 2017 |first1=Jonathan |last1=Lemire |first2=Jill |last2=Colvin}}</ref> Egyptian president ],<ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=May 21, 2017 |first=Rachael |last=Revesz |title=Donald Trump praises Egypt President al-Sisi and plans trip to Cairo |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-praises-egypt-president-abdel-fattah-al-sisi-safety-visit-cairo-saudi-arabia-meeting-a7747171.html}}</ref> Turkey's president ],<ref>{{cite news |website=] |date=September 21, 2017 |first1=Margaret |last1=Talev |first2=Jennifer |last2=Jacobs |title=Trump Praises Erdogan for 'High Marks' Amid Crackdown Concerns |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-21/trump-praises-erdogan-for-high-marks-amid-crackdown-concerns}}</ref> King ],<ref>{{cite news |website=] |date=November 6, 2017 |first=Angelica |last=LaVito |title=Trump praises Saudi king after crackdown |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/06/trump-praises-saudi-king-after-crackdown.html}}</ref> Italy's prime minister ],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.tpi.it/2018/06/15/trump-elogia-conte/ |title=Donal Trump elogia il premier italiano Giuseppe Conte: "È fantastico" – Video |date=June 15, 2018 |website=TPI News |first=Di Gianluigi |last=Spinaci |language=it}}</ref> Brazil's president ],<ref>{{cite news |website=] |agency=] |date=January 1, 2019 |title=Trump praises Brazil's new President Bolsonaro after he vowed to 'strengthen democracy' |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/01/trump-praises-brazils-new-president-bolsonaro-after-he-vowed-to-strengthen-democracy-.html}}</ref> Indian prime minister ],<ref name="wapost-modi">{{cite news |title=In India, Trump validates Modi's divisive agenda |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/02/24/india-trump-validates-modis-divisive-agenda/ |work=] |date=February 24, 2020}}</ref> and Hungarian prime minister ] as examples of good leaders.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/03/trump-xi-jinping-dictators/554810/ |title=Nine Notorious Dictators, Nine Shout-Outs From Donald Trump |first=Krishnadev |last=Calamur |date=March 4, 2018 |website=]}}</ref>

==== ISIS, Syria, and Afghanistan ====

In April 2017, Trump ordered a ] against a Syrian airfield in retaliation for the ].<ref name="bbcnewssyriawartrumpsmissilestrike">{{cite news |title=Syria war: Trump's missile strike attracts US praise – and barbs |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-39529605 |accessdate=April 8, 2017 |work=] |date=April 7, 2017}}</ref> According to investigative journalist ], Trump had ordered his defense secretary James Mattis to assassinate ] ] after the chemical attack, but Mattis declined; Trump denied doing so.<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump denies he wanted Syria leader killed |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-45425413 |accessdate=December 20, 2018 |work=] |date=September 5, 2018}}</ref> In April 2018, he announced ] against Assad's regime, following a suspected chemical attack near ].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/us-strikes-syria-after-suspected-chemical-attack-by-assad-regime |first=Kathleen |last=Joyce |title=US strikes Syria after suspected chemical attack by Assad regime |date=April 14, 2018 |website=] |accessdate=April 14, 2018}}</ref>

In December 2018, Trump declared "we have won against ISIS," and ordered the withdrawal of all troops from Syria, contradicting Department of Defense assessments.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/19/us/politics/trump-syria-turkey-troop-withdrawal.html |title=Trump withdraws U.S. Forces From Syria, Declaring 'We Have Won Against ISIS' |first1=Mark |last1=Landler |author1link=Mark Landler |first2=Helene |last2=Cooper |author2link=Helene Cooper |first3=Eric |last3=Schmitt |author3link=Eric P. Schmitt |date=December 19, 2018 |work=] |accessdate=December 31, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Syria conflict: Trump's withdrawal plan shocks allies |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-46628811 |accessdate=December 20, 2018 |work=] |date=December 20, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Borger |first1=Julian |author1link=Julian Borger |last2=Chulov |first2=Martin |title=Trump shocks allies and advisers with plan to pull US troops out of Syria |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/dec/19/us-troops-syria-withdrawal-trump |accessdate=December 20, 2018 |work=] |date=December 20, 2018}}</ref> Mattis resigned the next day over disagreements in foreign policy, calling this decision an abandonment of ] who had played a key role in fighting ISIS.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cooper |first=Helene |authorlink=Helene Cooper |title=Jim Mattis, Defense Secretary, Resigns in Rebuke of Trump's Worldview |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/20/us/politics/jim-mattis-defense-secretary-trump.html |accessdate=December 21, 2018 |work=] |date=December 20, 2018}}</ref> One week after his announcement, Trump said he would not approve any extension of the American deployment in Syria.<ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=January 6, 2019 |first=Karoun |last=Demirjian |authorlink=Karoun Demirjian |title=Contradicting Trump, Bolton says no withdrawal from Syria until ISIS destroyed, Kurds' safety guaranteed |accessdate=January 6, 2019 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/bolton-promises-no-troop-withdrawal-from-syria-until-isis-contained-kurds-safety-guaranteed/2019/01/06/ee219bba-11c5-11e9-b6ad-9cfd62dbb0a8_story.html}}</ref> On January 6, 2019, national security advisor ] announced America would remain in Syria until ISIS is eradicated and Turkey guarantees it will not strike America's Kurdish allies.<ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=January 6, 2019 |first1=David E. |last1=Sanger |author1link=David E. Sanger |first2=Noah |last2=Weiland |first3=Eric |last3=Schmitt |author3link=Eric P. Schmitt |title=Bolton Puts Conditions on Syria Withdrawal, Suggesting a Delay of Months or Years |accessdate=January 6, 2019 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/06/world/middleeast/bolton-syria-pullout.html}}</ref>

Trump actively supported the ] against the ] and signed a $110&nbsp;billion agreement to sell arms to Saudi Arabia.<ref name="prince">{{cite news |title=Trump praises arms sales as he meets Saudi crown prince |url=https://www.ft.com/content/94204940-2c47-11e8-9b4b-bc4b9f08f381 |work=] |date=March 20, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Senate Votes Down Ending Trump's Support for Saudi-led War in Yemen |url=https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/senate-votes-down-ending-trump-s-support-for-saudi-led-war-in-yemen-1.5931874 |work=] |date=May 21, 2018}}</ref><ref name=Phelps-170520>{{cite news |title=Trump signs $110 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia on 'a tremendous day' |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-signs-110-billion-arms-deal-saudi-arabia/story?id=47531180 |website=] |date=May 20, 2017 |accessdate=July 6, 2018 |first1=Jordyn |last1=Phelps |first2=Ryan |last2=Struyk}}</ref> Trump also praised his relationship with ]'s powerful Crown Prince ].<ref name="prince"/>

U.S. troop numbers in ] increased from 8,500 to 14,000, {{as of|2017|1|lc=y}},<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jaffe |first1=Greg |last2=Ryan |first2=Missy |author2link=Missy Ryan |title=Up to 1,000 more U.S. troops could be headed to Afghanistan this spring |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/up-to-1000-more-us-troops-could-be-headed-to-afghanistan-this-spring/2018/01/21/153930b6-fd1b-11e7-a46b-a3614530bd87_story.html |work=] |date=January 21, 2018}}</ref> reversing his pre-election position critical of further involvement in Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gordon |first1=Michael R. |author1link=Michael R. Gordon |last2=Schmitt |first2=Eric |author2link=Eric P. Schmitt |last3=Haberman |first3=Maggie |author3link=Maggie Haberman |title=Trump Settles on Afghan Strategy Expected to Raise Troop Levels |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/20/world/asia/trump-afghanistan-strategy-mattis.html |work=] |date=August 20, 2017}}</ref> U.S. officials said then that they aimed to "force the Taliban to negotiate a political settlement"; in January 2018, however, Trump spoke against talks with the Taliban.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rampton |first1=Roberta |last2=Landay |first2=Jonathan |title=Trump rejects peace talks with Taliban in departure from Afghan strategy |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-blast-trump/trump-rejects-peace-talks-with-taliban-in-departure-from-afghan-strategy-idUSKBN1FI2BU |work=] |date=January 29, 2018}}</ref> On February 29, 2020, the Trump administration signed a conditional ],<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S.-Taliban Deal: India should Chalk-out a New Strategy |url=https://opedcolumn.news.blog/2020/03/21/us-taliban-deal-india-should-chalk-out-a-new-strategy/ |last=Rai |first=Manish |website=OpedColumn.News.Blog}}</ref> which calls for the ] in 14 months if the Taliban uphold the terms of the agreement.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/afghanistan-us-taliban-peace-deal-signing/2020/02/29/b952fb04-5a67-11ea-8efd-0f904bdd8057_story.html |title=U.S. signs peace deal with Taliban agreeing to full withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan |last=George |first=Susannah |date=February 29, 2020 |website=]}}</ref> Trump said "it is time" to bring U.S. soldiers home from Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump says 'it is time' for US troops to exit Afghanistan, undermining agreement with Taliban |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-time-us-troops-exit-afghanistan-undermining-agreement/story?id=70908619 |work=] |date=May 27, 2020}}</ref>
]

In October 2019, after Trump spoke to Turkish president ], the White House acknowledged Turkey would be carrying out a planned military offensive into northern Syria; as such, ] were withdrawn from the area to avoid interference with that operation. The statement also passed responsibility for the area's captured ISIS fighters to Turkey.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chappell |first1=Bill |last2=Neuman |first2=Scott |title=In Major Policy Shift, U.S. Will Stand Aside As Turkish Forces Extend Reach In Syria |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/10/07/767777899/in-major-policy-shift-u-s-will-stand-aside-as-turkish-forces-extend-reach-in-syr |accessdate=October 11, 2019 |work=] |date=October 7, 2019}}</ref> In the following days, Trump suggested the Kurds intentionally released ISIS prisoners in order to gain sympathy, suggested they were fighting only for their own financial interests, suggested some of them were worse than ISIS, and termed them "no angels".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/16/world/middleeast/trump-erdogan-turkey-syria-kurds.html |title=Trump Lashes Out on Syria as Republicans Rebuke Him in House Vote |last1=Baker |first1=Peter |author1link=Peter Baker (journalist) |last2=Edmondson |first2=Catie |date=October 16, 2019 |work=] |access-date=October 20, 2019}}</ref>

Congress members of both parties denounced the move, including Republican allies of Trump such as Senator ]. They argued that the move betrayed the American-allied ], and would benefit ISIS, Turkey, Russia, Iran, and Bashar al-Assad's Syrian regime.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/07/trump-turkey-syria-invasion-037052 |title=Republicans unload on Trump for Syria shift when he needs them most |last=Forgey |first=Quint |date=October 7, 2019 |work=] |accessdate=October 7, 2019}}</ref> Trump defended the move, citing the high cost of supporting the Kurds, and the lack of support from the Kurds in past U.S. wars.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/white-house-turkey-military-operation-northern-syria-191007034354242.html |title=US troops start pullout in Syria as Turkey prepares operation |website=] |access-date=October 9, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Maanvi |title=Trump defends Syria decision by saying Kurds 'didn't help us with Normandy' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/09/trump-syria-kurds-normandy |accessdate=October 10, 2019 |work=] |date=October 9, 2019}}</ref> After the U.S. pullout, ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Turkey Syria offensive: Tens of thousands flee homes |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50008418 |accessdate=October 11, 2019 |work=] |date=October 10, 2019}}</ref> On October 16, the United States House of Representatives, in a rare bipartisan vote of 354 to 60, "condemned" Trump's withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria for "abandoning U.S. allies, undermining the struggle against ISIS, and spurring a humanitarian catastrophe".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/16/house-condemns-trumps-syria-pull-out-000286 |title=House condemns Trump's Syria withdrawal |last=O'Brien |first=Connor |date=October 16, 2019 |website=] |access-date=October 17, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/16/us/politics/house-vote-trump-syria.html |title=In Bipartisan Rebuke, House Majority Condemns Trump for Syria Withdrawal |last=Edmondson |first=Catie |date=October 16, 2019 |work=] |access-date=October 17, 2019}}</ref>

In November 2019, Trump ordered U.S. troops to secure the oil fields in eastern Syria, then said any remaining U.S. troops in Syria were there "only for the oil", and that the U.S. was "keeping the oil". Seizing oil without local government permission would be a war crime of ].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Baldor |first1=Lolita |title=Trump OKs wider Syria oil mission, raising legal questions |url=https://apnews.com/251062e322ab4bba99251fe59c90540a |accessdate=June 14, 2020 |work=] |date=November 6, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Tharoor |first1=Ishaan |title=Trump's perplexing insistence on 'keeping' Middle Eastern oil |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2019/11/15/trumps-perplexing-insistence-keeping-middle-eastern-oil/ |accessdate=June 14, 2020 |work=] |date=November 15, 2019}}</ref>

==== Iran ====

{{See also|Iran–United States relations#2017–present: Trump administration | United States withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action|2019–20 Persian Gulf crisis}}
] during the U.S attack on the Baghdad airport in Iraq on January 3, 2020]]

Trump has described the regime in Iran as "the rogue regime", although he has also asserted he does not seek regime change.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Weiler |first1=Yuram Abdullah |title=What is Basij and how does it function against U.S. and Zionism? |url=http://english.khamenei.ir/news/5306/What-is-Basij-and-how-does-it-function-against-U-S-and-Zionism |website=Khamenei.ir |accessdate=February 6, 2019 |date=December 2, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=May 27, 2019 |first=Michael |last=Kranish |authorlink=Michael Kranish |title=Trump says he is not seeking 'regime change' in Iran |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-says-he-is-not-seeking-regime-change-in-iran/2019/05/27/94d3053a-808d-11e9-933d-7501070ee669_story.html}}</ref> He has repeatedly criticized the ] (JCPOA or "Iran nuclear deal") that was negotiated with the United States, Iran, and five other world powers in 2015, calling it "terrible" and saying the Obama administration had negotiated the agreement "from desperation".<ref name="KatyTurIranInterview">{{cite news |website=] |date=July 14, 2015 |first=Katy |last=Tur |authorlink=Katy Tur |title=Donald Trump Weighs in on Iran Deal |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/donald-trump-weighs-iran-deal-n391926}}</ref><ref name="AP180508"/><ref>{{cite news |first=Igor |last=Bobic |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-iran-deal_55d0a844e4b0ab468d9d907e |title=Donald Trump Would Not Rip Up The Iran Deal |work=] |date=August 16, 2015 |accessdate=August 17, 2019}}</ref>

Following Iran's missile tests on January 29, 2017, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on 25 Iranian individuals and entities in February 2017.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Borger |first1=Julian |author1link=Julian Borger |last2=Smith |first2=David |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/01/iran-trump-michael-flynn-on-notice |title=Trump administration 'officially putting Iran on notice', says Michael Flynn |work=] |date=February 2, 2017 |accessdate=November 9, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Trump administration tightens Iran sanctions, Tehran hits back |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-usa-idUSKBN15H253 |work=] |date=February 3, 2016 |last=Torbati |first=Yeganeh}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Borger |first1=Julian |author1link=Julian Borger |last2=Smith |first2=David |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/03/trump-administration-iran-sanctions |title=Trump administration imposes new sanctions on Iran |work=] |date=February 3, 2017 |accessdate=November 9, 2018}}</ref> Trump reportedly lobbied "dozens" of European officials against doing business with Iran during the May ]; this likely violated the terms of the JCPOA, under which the U.S. may not pursue "any policy specifically intended to directly and adversely affect the normalization of trade and economic relations with Iran". The Trump administration certified in July 2017 that Iran had upheld its end of the agreement.<ref>{{cite news |last=Aleem |first=Zeeshan |url=https://www.vox.com/2017/7/21/16003746/trump-iran-deal-zarif |title=Iran says the US is violating the nuclear deal. It has a point |website=] |date=July 21, 2017 |accessdate=July 22, 2017}}</ref> On August 2, 2017, Trump signed into law the ] (CAATSA) that grouped together ], Russia, and North Korea.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-usa-sanctions-idUSKBN1AI2N0 |title=Iran says new U.S. sanctions violate nuclear deal, vows 'proportional reaction' |website=] |date=August 2, 2017}}</ref> On May 18, 2018, Trump announced ] from the JCPOA.<ref name="AP180508">{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/cead755353a1455bbef08ef289448994/Trump-decides-to-exit-nuclear-accord-with-Iran |title=Trump declares US leaving 'horrible' Iran nuclear accord |last=Lederman |first=Josh |date=May 8, 2018 |website=] |accessdate=May 8, 2018}}</ref>

In May 2017, strained relations between the U.S. and Iran escalated when Trump deployed military bombers and a carrier group to the Persian Gulf. Trump hinted at war on social media, provoking a response from Iran for what Iranian foreign minister ] called "genocidal taunts".<ref name=Budryk-190519>{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/444502-trump-i-will-not-let-iran-have-nuclear-weapons |title=Trump: 'I will not let Iran have nuclear weapons' |work=] |date=May 19, 2019 |accessdate=May 20, 2019 |first=Zack |last=Budryk}}</ref><ref name=Chamberlain-190519>{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-war-iran-never-threaten-united-states |title=Trump says war will mean 'official end of Iran', warns 'never threaten the United States again' |work=] |date=May 19, 2019 |accessdate=May 20, 2019 |first=Samuel |last=Chamberlain}}</ref><ref name=Wintour-190520>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/20/iran-trump-tweet-genocidal-taunts |title=Iran hits back at Trump for tweeting 'genocidal taunts' |work=] |date=May 20, 2019 |accessdate=May 20, 2019 |first=Patrick |last=Wintour}}</ref> Trump and Saudi Crown Prince ] are allies in the ].<ref>{{cite news |title=U.S. Tells Saudi Arabia Oil Attacks Were Launched From Iran |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-tells-saudi-arabia-oil-attacks-were-launched-from-iran-11568644126 |work=] |date=September 17, 2019 |first1=Dion |last1=Nissenbaum |first2=Summer |last2=Said |first3=Jared |last3=Malsin}}</ref> Trump approved the deployment of additional U.S. troops to Saudi Arabia and the ] following the ] which the United States has blamed on Iran.<ref>{{cite news |title=US to deploy more troops to Saudi Arabia after attack on oil industry |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/20/us-troops-saudia-arabia-iran-oil-industry-attack |work=] |agency=] |date=September 20, 2019}}</ref>

On January 2, 2020, Trump ordered ], which killed Iranian ] and ] ] commander ] and Iraqi ] commander ], as well as eight other people.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/02/world/middleeast/qassem-soleimani-iraq-iran-attack.html |title=U.S. Strike in Iraq Kills Qassim Suleimani, Commander of Iranian Forces |last1=Crowley |first1=Michael |author1link=Michael Crowley (journalist) |last2=Hassan |first2=Falih |last3=Schmitt |first3=Eric |author3link=Eric P. Schmitt |date=January 2, 2020 |work=] |access-date=January 3, 2020}}</ref> Trump publicly threatened to attack Iranian cultural sites, or react "in a disproportionate manner" if Iran retaliated; though such attacks by the U.S. would violate international law as war crimes.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Swart |first1=Mia |title=Trump, his tweets and international law |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/trump-tweets-international-law-200107064935688.html |accessdate=June 14, 2020 |work=] |date=January 8, 2020}}</ref> On January 8, Iran retaliated by launching airstrikes on ] in Iraq; initially the Trump administration claimed no Americans suffered injuries, then Trump said injuries were not "very serious", but by February 2020, more than a hundred ] were diagnosed in U.S. troops.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Zaveri |first1=Mihir |title=More Than 100 Troops Have Brain Injuries From Iran Missile Strike, Pentagon Says |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/10/world/middleeast/iraq-iran-brain-injuries.html |accessdate=June 8, 2020 |work=] |date=February 10, 2020}}</ref> Iran issues an ] for 36 U.S. political and military officials, including President Trump, for their role in the ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Iran has issued an arrest warrant for Trump over the killing of Qassem Soleimani, and asked Interpol to help detain him |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/iran-issues-arrest-warrant-donald-trump-killing-qassem-soleimani-interpol-2020-6 |work=] |date=June 29, 2020}}</ref>

==== Israel ====

{{See also|Israel–United States relations#Trump administration (2017–present)}}
] at ], May 2017]]

Trump has supported the policies of Israeli Prime Minister ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-how-trump-and-netanyahu-became-each-other-s-most-effective-political-weapon-1.7569757 |title=How Trump and Netanyahu Became Each Other's Most Effective Political Weapon |newspaper=] |first=Allison Kaplan |last=Sommer |date=July 25, 2019 |access-date=August 2, 2019}}</ref> He officially ] on December 6, 2017, despite criticism and warnings from world leaders. He subsequently opened a new U.S. embassy in ] in May 2018.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/06/trump-move-embassy-jerusalem-israel-reaction-281973 |last1=Nelson |first1=Louis |last2=Nussbaum |first2=Matthew |title=Trump says U.S. recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital, despite global condemnation |website=] |date=December 6, 2017 |accessdate=December 6, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |work=] |title=US Embassy opens in Jerusalem: 'When Trump makes a promise, he keeps it' |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5260407,00.html |accessdate=July 25, 2018 |date=May 14, 2018}}</ref> The ] condemned the move, adopting a resolution that "calls upon all States to refrain from the establishment of diplomatic missions in the Holy City of Jerusalem".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/ES-10/L.22&Submit=Search&Lang=E |title=Illegal Israeli actions in Occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory – Turkey and Yemen: draft resolution – Status of Jerusalem |website=] |date=December 19, 2017 |accessdate=December 21, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/21/world/middleeast/trump-jerusalem-united-nations.html |title=Defying Trump, U.N. General Assembly Condemns U.S. Decree on Jerusalem |first=Rick |last=Gladstone |newspaper=] |date=December 21, 2017 |accessdate=December 21, 2017}}</ref> In March 2019, Trump reversed decades of U.S. policy by ] ] of the ],<ref>{{cite news |title='The jungle is back.' With his Golan Heights tweet, Trump emboldens the annexation agendas of the world's strongmen |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-the-jungle-is-back-with-his-golan-heights-tweet-trump-will/ |work=] |date=March 22, 2019 |first=Mark |last=MacKinnon |authorlink=Mark MacKinnon}}</ref> a move condemned by the ] and the ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Outcry as Trump backs Israeli sovereignty over Golan Heights |url=https://www.euronews.com/2019/03/22/outcry-as-trump-backs-israeli-sovereignty-over-golan-heights |website=] |date=March 22, 2019 |first=Natalie |last=Huet |agency=]}}</ref>

==== China ====

{{See also|China–United States relations#Trump's presidency (2017–)|China–United States trade war}}

Before and during his presidency, Trump has repeatedly accused China of taking unfair advantage of the U.S.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-china-idUSKCN1UX1WO |title=Trump says China is 'killing us with unfair trade deals' |date=August 7, 2019 |work=] |access-date=August 24, 2019 |first1=Nandita |last1=Bose |first2=Andrea |last2=Shalal}}</ref> During his presidency, Trump has ], sanctioned ] for its alleged ties to Iran,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2019/05/21/huawei-why-facing-sanctions-and-who-get-hurt-most/3750738002/ |title=Huawei sanctions: Who gets hurt in dispute? |website=] |access-date=August 24, 2019 |first1=Frank |last1=Bajak |first2=Michael |last2=Liedtke}}</ref> significantly increased visa restrictions on Chinese nationality students and scholars<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://time.com/5600299/donald-trump-china-trade-war-students/ |title=Trump's Next Trade War Target: Chinese Students in the U.S. |website=] |access-date=August 24, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/04/25/716032871/visas-are-the-newest-weapon-in-u-s-china-rivalry |title=Visas Are The Newest Weapon In U.S.-China Rivalry |publisher=] |date=April 25, 2019 |access-date=August 24, 2019}}</ref> and classified China as a "]".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/06/trade-war-china-responds-to-us-after-claim-of-being-a-currency-manipulator.html |title=China responds to US after Treasury designates Beijing a 'currency manipulator' |last=Meredith |first=Sam |date=August 6, 2019 |publisher=] |access-date=August 6, 2019}}</ref> In the wake of the significant deterioration of relations, many political observers have warned against a ] between China and the U.S.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.ft.com/content/a3062586-a9ac-11e9-984c-fac8325aaa04 |title=Getting acclimatised to the US–China cold war |website=] |access-date=August 18, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3022587/china-us-cold-war-inevitable-chinese-analysts-say-it-cant-be |title=Is China–US cold war inevitable? Chinese analysts say it can't be ruled out |date=August 14, 2019 |website=] |access-date=August 18, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/cold-war-africa-190630102044847.html |title=A new cold war in Africa |last=Maru |first=Mehari Taddele |website=www.aljazeera.com |access-date=August 18, 2019}}</ref>

Trump said he resisted punishing China for its ] against ethnic minorities in the northwestern ] region for fear of jeopardizing U.S.-China trade negotiations.<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump held off sanctioning Chinese over Uighurs to pursue trade deal |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53138833 |publisher=BBC News |date=June 22, 2020}}</ref> On July 9, 2020, Trump imposed ] and visa restrictions against senior Chinese officials, including ],<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump administration sanctions Chinese officials over human rights abuses |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/506575-trump-administration-sanctions-chinese-officials-over-human-rights |work=The Hill |date=July 9, 2020}}</ref> a member of China's powerful ], who expanded mass ] holding more than a million members of the country's ] ] minority.<ref>{{cite news |title=U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Chinese Officials Over Mass Detention of Muslims |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/09/world/asia/trump-china-sanctions-uighurs.html |work=The New York Times |date=July 9, 2020}}</ref>

==== North Korea ====

{{See also|North Korea–United States relations}}
] at ], June 2018.]]

In 2017, North Korea's nuclear weapons became increasingly seen as a serious threat to the United States.<ref name="scarier">{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Adam |last2=Meko |first2=Tim |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/12/21/what-made-north-koreas-weapons-programs-so-much-scarier-in-2017/ |title=What made North Korea's weapons programs so much scarier in 2017 |newspaper=] |date=December 21, 2017 |access-date=July 5, 2019}}</ref> In August 2017, Trump escalated his rhetoric, warning that North Korean threats would be met with "fire and fury like the world has never seen".<ref name=Windrem>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/north-korea-crisis-how-events-have-unfolded-under-trump-n753996 |title=North Korea crisis: How events have unfolded under Trump |last1=Windrem|first1=Robert |last2=Siemaszko |first2=Corky |last3=Arkin |first3=Daniel |date=November 30, 2017 |work=] |accessdate=June 8, 2020}}</ref> North Korea responded by releasing plans for missile tests that would land near ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/10/north-korea-details-guam-strike-trump-load-of-nonsense#maincontent |title=North Korea details Guam strike plan and calls Trump 'bereft of reason' |last1=Borger |first1=Julian |date=August 11, 2017 |work=] |accessdate=June 8, 2020}}</ref> In September 2017, Trump addressed the ], saying the U.S. would "totally destroy North Korea" if "forced" to defend itself or its allies.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Borger |first1=Julian |title=Donald Trump threatens to 'totally destroy' North Korea in UN speech |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/sep/19/donald-trump-threatens-totally-destroy-north-korea-un-speech |accessdate=June 8, 2020 |work=] |date=September 19, 2017}}</ref> Also in September 2017, Trump increased sanctions on North Korea, declared that he wanted North Korea's "complete denuclearization", and engaged in ] with leader ].<ref name=Windrem/><ref>{{cite news |last1=McCausland |first1=Phil |title=Kim Jong Un Calls President Trump 'Dotard' and 'Frightened Dog' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/north-korea-s-kim-jong-un-calls-president-trump-frightened-n803631 |accessdate=June 8, 2020 |work=] |agency=] |date=September 22, 2017}}</ref>

In March 2018, Trump immediately agreed to Kim's proposal for a meeting.<ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=March 10, 2018 |first1=Peter |last1=Baker |author1link=Peter Baker (journalist) |first2=Choe |last2=Sang-Hun |author2link=Choe Sang-hun |title=With Snap 'Yes' in Oval Office, Trump Gambles on North Korea |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/10/world/asia/trump-north-korea.html}}</ref> On June 12, 2018, ], with Kim affirming his intention "to work toward complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Meixler |first1=Eli |title=President Trump and Kim Jong Un Just Agreed to Work Toward Denuclearization. Read the Full Text Here |url=https://time.com/5309425/donald-trump-kim-jong-un-summit-document-full-text/ |accessdate=June 8, 2020 |work=] |date=June 12, 2018}}</ref>

A ] in ] in February 2019, was terminated abruptly without an agreement; both countries blamed each other and offered differing accounts of the negotiations.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wong |first=Edward |authorlink=Edward Wong |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/28/world/asia/trump-kim-vietnam-summit.html |title=Trump's Talks With Kim Jong-un Collapse, and Both Sides Point Fingers |website=] |date=February 28, 2019 |access-date=March 1, 2019}}</ref> On June 30, 2019, Trump, Kim, and South Korean President ] held ] in the ], marking the first time a sitting U.S. president had set foot on North Korean soil. Trump and Kim agreed to resume negotiations.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/06/trump-confirms-meet-kim-dmz-190630050353219.html |title=Trump meets North Korea's Kim at DMZ in landmark visit |work=] |date=June 30, 2019 |access-date=July 8, 2019}}</ref> Bilateral talks began in Stockholm in October 2019, but broke down after one day.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://time.com/5693526/north-korea-us-nuclear-diplomacy-sweden/ |title=North Korea Says Nuclear Talks Break Down While U.S. Says They Were 'Good' |first1=Jari |last1=Tanner |first2=Matthew |last2=Lee |work=] |date=October 5, 2019 |access-date=February 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007060513/https://time.com/5693526/north-korea-us-nuclear-diplomacy-sweden/ |archive-date=October 7, 2019}}</ref> As of May 2020, North Korea has shown no indication that it is willing to unilaterally denuclearize.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brunnstrom |first1=David |last2=Spetalnick |first2=Matt |title=Trump hails Kim reappearance, but North Korea denuclearization prospects bleak |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-kim-trump/trump-hails-kim-reappearance-but-north-korea-denuclearization-prospects-bleak-idUSKBN22F00D |accessdate=June 7, 2020 |work=] |date=May 3, 2020}}</ref>

==== Russia ====

{{See also|Russia–United States relations}}
], June 2019]]

During his campaign and as president, Trump has repeatedly asserted that he desires better relations with Russia.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-urges-good-relationship-with-russia-in-tweets/ |title=Donald Trump urges 'good relationship' with Russia in tweets |last=Flores |first=Reena |date=January 7, 2017 |website=] |accessdate=May 2, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/trump-gop-russia-sanctions/ |title=GOP warns Trump not to lift Russia sanctions after call with Putin |last=Berry |first=Lynn |date=January 29, 2017 |agency=] |work=] |accessdate=May 2, 2017}}</ref> He also said Russia could help the U.S. in its ].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/trump-suggests-us-accept-russias-annexation-crimea/ |title=Trump suggests U.S. accept Russia's annexation of Crimea |date=August 1, 2016 |work=] |agency=] |accessdate=February 19, 2017}}</ref> According to Putin and some political experts and diplomats, the ], which were already at the lowest level since the end of the ], have further deteriorated since Trump took office in January 2017.<ref>{{cite news |title=US–Russia relations fail to improve in Trump's first year and they are likely to get worse |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-first-year-inauguration-anniversary-russia-vladimir-putin-relations-moscow-a8168801.html |work=] |date=January 19, 2018 |first=Oliver |last=Carroll}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Vladimir Putin says US–Russia relations are worse since Donald Trump took office |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/donald-trump-vladimir-putin-us-russia-relations-worse-military-syria-chemical-attack-barack-obama-a7679796.html |work=] |date=April 12, 2017 |first=Samuel |last=Osborne}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=U.S.-Russian relations worst Ambassador Antonov can remember |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/u-s-russian-relations-worst-ambassador-antonov-can-remember-n861391 |website=] |date=March 30, 2018 |first=Alexander |last=Smith}}</ref>

As president, Trump has criticized Russia about Syria,<ref name="Syria-blame">{{cite news |title=Trump blames Putin for backing 'Animal Assad' |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/04/08/trump-putin-syria-attack-508223 |work=] |first=Matthew |last=Nussbaum |date=April 8, 2018}}</ref> Ukraine,<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump criticizes Russia, calls for defense of Western civilization |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-poland-usa-trump/trump-criticizes-russia-calls-for-defense-of-western-civilization-idUSKBN19R02Q |work=] |date=July 6, 2017 |first1=Roberta |last1=Rampton |first2=Pawel |last2=Sobczak}}</ref> North Korea,<ref>{{cite news |title=Exclusive: Trump accuses Russia of helping North Korea evade sanctions; says U.S. needs more missile defense |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-exclusive/exclusive-trump-accuses-russia-of-helping-north-korea-evade-sanctions-says-u-s-needs-more-missile-defense-idUSKBN1F62KO |work=] |first1=Steve |last1=Holland |first2=Roberta |last2=Rampton |first3=Jeff |last3=Mason |date=January 17, 2018}}</ref> Venezuela,<ref>{{cite news |title=Venezuela crisis: Russia hits out at 'boorish' Trump |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-47739503 |work=] |date=March 28, 2019}}</ref> and the ],<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump expelling 60 Russian diplomats in wake of UK nerve agent attack |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/03/26/politics/us-expel-russian-diplomats/index.html |work=] |first1=Jeremy |last1=Diamond |author1link=Jeremy Diamond |first2=Allie |last2=Malloy |first3=Angela |last3=Dewan |date=March 26, 2018}}</ref> but has sent mixed messages regarding Crimea.<ref>{{cite news |last=Pager |first=Tyler |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/trump-crimea-sanctions-russia-226292 |title=Trump to look at recognizing Crimea as Russian territory, lifting sanctions |website=] |date=July 27, 2016 |access-date=February 13, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Panetta |first=Grace |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-claims-crimea-is-part-of-russia-since-people-speak-russian-g7-summit-2018-6 |title=Trump reportedly claimed to leaders at the G7 that Crimea is part of Russia because everyone there speaks Russian |website=] |date=June 14, 2018 |access-date=February 13, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Trump expects Russia to return Crimea to Ukraine: White House |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-ukraine/trump-expects-russia-to-return-crimea-to-ukraine-white-house-idUSKBN15T2IY |work=] |date=February 14, 2017}}</ref> He forbade U.S. oil companies from drilling in Russia.<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump denies Exxon permission to drill for oil in Russia |last2=Egan |first2=Matt |last1=Borak |first1=Donna |url=https://money.cnn.com/2017/04/21/news/companies/trump-exxon-russia-sanctions/index.html |work=] |date=April 21, 2017}}</ref> Businesses involved in the ] ] from Russia to Germany have been sanctioned by the Trump administration with the passing of the ] on December 20, 2019.<ref>{{cite news|title=Trump approves sanctions on builders of Russia-to-Europe gas pipelines|publisher=France24|date=December 20, 2019|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20191221-trump-approves-sanctions-builders-of-russia-to-europe-gas-pipelines-energy-security-germany-turkey-eu}}</ref> Trump said the Nord Stream{{nbsp}}2 pipeline, owned by Russia's ], could turn Germany into a "hostage of Russia".<ref>{{cite news |title=Nord Stream 2: Trump approves sanctions on Russia gas pipeline |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50875935 |work=] |date=December 21, 2019}}</ref>

Amidst continuing growth of China's missile forces, President Trump announced on October 20, 2018 that he was withdrawing the U.S. from the ] due to supposed Russian non-compliance,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/20/trump-us-nuclear-arms-treaty-russia |title=Trump says US will withdraw from nuclear arms treaty with Russia |last=Pengelly |first=Martin |date=October 20, 2018 |website=]}}</ref> a move criticized by the former Soviet President ], who signed the treaty in 1987 with U.S. President ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Russia nuclear treaty: Gorbachev warns Trump plan will undermine disarmament |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-45931231 |work=] |date=October 21, 2018}}</ref>

Trump has repeatedly praised Russian president ]; criticism of Putin by Trump was uncommon.<ref name=BakerAugust10/><ref name="Syria-blame"/> As a presidential candidate, Trump continually reiterated that Putin is a strong leader.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2016/11/14/trump-faces-backlash-over-appointing-bannon-as-a-top-aide-a-choice-critics-say-will-empower-white-nationalists/ |title=Trump, Putin agree in phone call to improve 'unsatisfactory' relations between their countries, Kremlin says |last1=Viebeck |first1=Elise |last2=Markon |first2=Jerry |author2link=Jerry Markon |last3=DeYoung |first3=Karen |author3link=Karen DeYoung |date=November 14, 2016 |work=] |accessdate=March 14, 2017}}</ref> When Putin in August 2017 expelled over half of the staff of the ] in retaliation for ],<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump signs bill approving new sanctions against Russia |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2017/08/02/politics/donald-trump-russia-sanctions-bill/index.html |work=] |date=August 3, 2017}}</ref> which imposed new sanctions on Russia, President Trump responded by thanking Putin, saying "We'll save a lot of money," instead of criticizing him.<ref name=BakerAugust10>{{cite news |last=Baker |first=Peter |authorlink=Peter Baker (journalist) |title=Trump Praises Putin Instead of Critiquing Cuts to U.S. Embassy Staff |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/10/world/europe/putin-trump-embassy-russia.html |accessdate=June 7, 2020 |work=] |date=August 10, 2017}}</ref> After Trump met Putin at the ] on July 16, 2018, Trump drew bipartisan criticism for siding with Putin's denial of ], rather than accepting the findings of the ].<ref name="zurcher">{{cite news |last=Zurcher |first=Anthony |title=Trump-Putin summit: After Helsinki, the fallout at home |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44830012 |accessdate=July 18, 2018 |work=] |date=July 16, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/07/trump-putin/565238/ |title=Trump Sides With the Kremlin, Against the U.S. Government |last=Calamur |first=Krishnadev |date=July 16, 2018 |work=] |accessdate=July 18, 2018}}</ref><ref name="break">{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/16/politics/congress-reaction-trump-putin-comments/index.html |title=Top Republicans in Congress break with Trump over Putin comments |last=Fox |first=Lauren |date=July 16, 2018 |website=] |accessdate=July 18, 2018}}</ref>

==== Cuba ====

{{See also|Cuba–United States relations}}

In November 2017, the Trump administration tightened the rules on trade with ] and individual visits to the country, undoing the Obama administration's ]. According to an administration official, the new rules were intended to hinder trade with businesses with ties to the Cuban military, intelligence and security services.<ref>{{cite news |last=DeYoung |first=Karen |author1link=Karen DeYoung |title=White House implements new Cuba policy restricting travel and trade |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/white-house-implements-new-cuba-policy-restricting-travel-and-trade/2017/11/08/a5597dee-c49b-11e7-aae0-cb18a8c29c65_story.html |work=] |date=November 8, 2017}}</ref>

==== Venezuela ====

{{See also|United States–Venezuela relations}}
]'s opposition leader and interim president, ], at the White House, February 2020]]

On August 11, 2017, Trump said he is "not going to rule out a military option" to confront the government of ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump won't 'rule out a military option' in Venezuela |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/08/11/trump-wont-rule-out-a-military-option-in-venezuela/ |work=] |date=August 11, 2017 |first1=Jenna |last1=Johnson |first2=John |last2=Wagner}}</ref> In September 2018, Trump called for "the restoration of democracy in Venezuela" and said that "socialism has bankrupted the oil-rich nation and driven its people into abject poverty."<ref>{{cite news |title=U.S. sanctions Venezuela officials, Trump slams Maduro |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-venezuela/u-s-sanctions-venezuela-officials-trump-slams-maduro-idUSKCN1M51WC |work=] |date=September 25, 2018 |first1=Lesley |last1=Wroughton |first2=Brian |last2=Ellsworth}}</ref> On January 23, 2019, Maduro announced that Venezuela was ] with the United States following Trump's announcement of recognizing ], the Venezuelan opposition leader, as the interim president of Venezuela.<ref>{{cite news |title=Venezuela's President breaks diplomatic relations with US over Donald Trump's support of Opposition Leader |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-24/venezuela-breaking-diplomatic-ties-with-united-states/10744854 |website=] |agency=]/] |date=January 24, 2019}}</ref>

==== NATO ====

], April 2017]]

As a candidate, Trump questioned whether he, as president, would automatically extend ],<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/21/us/politics/donald-trump-issues.html |title=Donald Trump Sets Conditions for Defending NATO Allies Against Attack |date=July 20, 2016 |last=Sanger |first=David E. |authorlink=David E. Sanger |last2=Haberman |first2=Maggie |author2link=Maggie Haberman |newspaper=] |accessdate=July 31, 2016}}</ref> and suggested he might leave NATO unless changes are made to the alliance.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.factcheck.org/2016/05/whats-trumps-position-on-nato/ |title=What's Trump's Position on NATO? |website=] |accessdate=July 31, 2016}}</ref> As president, he reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to NATO in March 2017;<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-senate-nato-russia-republicans-562655 |title=Trump supports NATO, but Senate holds up expansion |date=March 1, 2017 |agency=] |work=] |accessdate=May 2, 2017}}</ref> however, he has repeatedly accused fellow NATO members of paying less than their fair share of the expenses of the alliance.<ref>{{cite news |last=Baker |first=Peter |authorlink=Peter Baker (journalist) |title=Trump Says NATO Allies Don't Pay Their Share. Is That True? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/26/world/europe/nato-trump-spending.html |accessdate=July 12, 2018 |work=] |date=May 26, 2018}}</ref>

In January 2019, ''The New York Times'' quoted senior administration officials as saying Trump has privately suggested on multiple occasions that the United States should withdraw from NATO.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/14/us/politics/nato-president-trump.html |title=Trump Discussed Pulling U.S. From NATO, Aides Say Amid New Concerns Over Russia |last1=Barnes |first1=Julian E. |last2=Cooper |first2=Helene |author2link=Helene Cooper |date=January 14, 2019 |work=] |accessdate=January 19, 2019}}</ref> The next day Trump said the United States is going to "be with NATO one hundred percent" but repeated that the other countries have to "step up" and pay more.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/01/17/trump-nato-alliance-pentagon-1108846 |title=Trump: We will be with NATO '100 percent' |last=Morin |first=Rebecca |date=January 17, 2019 |work=] |accessdate=January 19, 2019}}</ref>

=== Personnel ===

{{Main|Political appointments by Donald Trump|Cabinet of Donald Trump}}
{{See also|Formation of Donald Trump's Cabinet}}
]

The Trump administration has been characterized by high turnover, particularly among White House staff. By the end of Trump's first year in office, 34 percent of his original staff had resigned, been fired, or been reassigned.<ref name="Trimble">{{cite news |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2017-12-28/trumps-white-house-has-highest-turnover-rate-in-40-years |title=Trump White House Has Highest Turnover in 40 Years |last=Trimble |first=Megan |date=December 28, 2017 |work=] |accessdate=March 16, 2018}}</ref> {{As of|2018|7|pre=early}}, 61 percent of Trump's senior aides had left<ref name="Wise -180702">{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/395222-ap-trump-admin-sets-record-for-white-house-turnover |title=AP: Trump admin sets record for White House turnover |website=] |date=July 2, 2018 |accessdate=July 3, 2018 |last=Wise |first=Justin}}</ref> and 141 staffers had left in the past year.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-white-house-sets-turnover-records-analysis-shows-n888396 |title=Trump White House sets turnover records, analysis shows |website=] |date=July 2, 2018 |accessdate=July 3, 2018 |agency=]}}</ref> Both figures set a record for recent presidents{{snd}}more change in the first 13 months than his four immediate predecessors saw in their first two years.<ref name="Keith">{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/03/07/591372397/white-house-staff-turnover-was-already-record-setting-then-more-advisers-left |title=White House Staff Turnover Was Already Record-Setting. Then More Advisers Left |last=Keith |first=Tamara |website=] |accessdate=March 16, 2018}}</ref> Notable early departures included National Security Advisor ] (after just 25 days in office), Chief of Staff ], replaced by retired Marine general ] on July 28, 2017,<ref name=Baker>{{cite news |work=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/28/us/politics/reince-priebus-white-house-trump.html |title=Reince Priebus Pushed Out After Rocky Tenure as Trump Chief of Staff |first1=Peter |last1=Baker |authorlink=Peter Baker (journalist) |first2=Maggie |last2=Haberman |author2link=Maggie Haberman}}</ref> and Press Secretary ].<ref name="Keith" /> Close personal aides to Trump such as ], ], ] and ], have quit or been forced out.<ref name=Brookings /> Some, like Hicks and McEntee, later returned to the White House in different posts.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rogers |first1=Katie |last2=Cook |first2=Annie |title=Home Alone at the White House: A Sour President, With TV His Constant Companion |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/23/us/politics/coronavirus-trump.html |accessdate=May 5, 2020 |work=] |date=April 23, 2020}}</ref> Trump has disparaged several of his former top officials as incompetent, stupid, or crazy.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cillizza |first1=Chris |title=Donald Trump makes terrible hires, according to Donald Trump |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/19/politics/trump-mulvaney-bolton-hiring/index.html |accessdate=June 24, 2020 |work=] |date=June 19, 2020}}</ref>

Trump's cabinet nominations included U.S. senator from Alabama ] as ],<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/19/us/politics/jeff-sessions-donald-trump-attorney-general.html |title=Jeff Sessions, as Attorney General, Could Overhaul Department He's Skewered |last=Lichtblau |first=Eric |authorlink=Eric Lichtblau |date=November 18, 2016 |work=] |access-date=December 19, 2019}}</ref> financier ] as ],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-38141686 |title=Former US banker Steve Mnuchin confirms he will be US treasury secretary |date=November 30, 2016 |work=] |accessdate=November 30, 2016}}</ref> retired Marine Corps general ] as ],<ref>{{cite news |last=Lamothe |first=Dan |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-has-chosen-retired-marine-gen-james-mattis-for-secretary-of-defense/2016/12/01/6c6b3b74-aff9-11e6-be1c-8cec35b1ad25_story.html |title=Trump has chosen retired Marine Gen. James Mattis for secretary of defense |work=] |accessdate=December 1, 2016}}</ref> and ] CEO ] as ].<ref>{{Cite news |work=] |first1=Michael D. |last1=Shear |author1link=Michael D. Shear |first2=Maggie |last2=Haberman |author2link=Maggie Haberman |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/12/us/politics/rex-tillerson-secretary-of-state-trump.html |title=Rex Tillerson, Exxon C.E.O., chosen as Secretary of State |date=December 12, 2016 |accessdate=December 26, 2016}}</ref> Trump also brought on board politicians who had opposed him during the presidential campaign, such as neurosurgeon ] as ],<ref>{{cite news |first=Trip |last=Gabriel |title=Trump Chooses Ben Carson to Lead HUD |date=December 5, 2016 |accessdate=December 5, 2016 |newspaper=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/05/us/politics/ben-carson-housing-urban-development-trump.html}}</ref> and South Carolina governor ] as ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/sc-gov-nikki-haley-tapped-to-be-trumps-un-ambassador/2016/11/23/c1395cb6-b144-11e6-8616-52b15787add0_story.html |work=] |title=Gov. Nikki Haley tapped to be Trump's U.N. ambassador |date=November 23, 2016 |accessdate=November 23, 2016 |first=Robert |last=Costa |authorlink=Robert Costa (journalist)}}</ref>

Two of Trump's 15 original cabinet members were gone within 15 months: Health and Human Services Secretary ] was forced to resign in September 2017 due to excessive use of private charter jets and military aircraft, and Trump replaced Secretary of State ] with ] in March 2018 over disagreements on foreign policy.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-incredibly-and-historically-unstable-first-year-of-trumps-cabinet/ |title=The Incredibly And Historically Unstable First Year Of Trump's Cabinet |last=Jones-Rooy |first=Andrea |date=November 29, 2017 |work=] |accessdate=March 16, 2018}}</ref><ref name=Brookings>{{cite news |url=https://www.brookings.edu/research/tracking-turnover-in-the-trump-administration/ |title=Tracking Turnover in the Trump Administration |date=March 16, 2018 |website=] |accessdate=March 16, 2018}}</ref> EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt resigned in July 2018 amidst multiple investigations into his conduct,<ref name=Hersher-180705>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/07/05/594078923/scott-pruitt-out-at-epa |title=Scott Pruitt Out At EPA |website=] |date=July 5, 2018 |accessdate=July 5, 2018 |first1=Rebecca |last1=Hersher |first2=Brett |last2=Neelyin}}</ref> while Interior Secretary ] resigned five months later as he also faced multiple investigations.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-ryan-zinke-resigns-interior-secretary-20181215-story.html |title=Ryan Zinke resigns as interior secretary amid multiple investigations |first1=Juliet |last1=Eilperin |first2=Josh |last2=Dawsey |author2link=Josh Dawsey |work=] |accessdate=January 3, 2019}}</ref>

Trump has been slow to appoint second-tier officials in the executive branch, saying many of the positions are unnecessary. In October 2017, there were still hundreds of sub-cabinet positions without a nominee.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2017/10/12/557122200/trump-leaves-top-administration-positions-unfilled-says-hollow-government-by-des |title=Trump Leaves Top Administration Positions Unfilled, Says Hollow Government By Design |last=Keith |first=Tamara |date=October 12, 2017 |website=] |accessdate=March 16, 2018}}</ref> By January 8, 2019, of 706 key positions, 433 had been filled (61%) and Trump had no nominee for 264 (37%).<ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=January 8, 2019 |title=Tracking how many key positions Trump has filled so far |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/politics/trump-administration-appointee-tracker/database/}}</ref>

==== Dismissal of James Comey ====

{{Main|Dismissal of James Comey}}

On May 9, 2017, Trump dismissed FBI director ]. He first attributed this action to recommendations from Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy AG ],<ref name=Apuzzo>{{cite news |first1=Michael D. |last1=Shear |author1link=Michael D. Shear |first2=Matt |last2=Apuzzo |author2link=Matt Apuzzo |title=F.B.I. Director James Comey Is Fired by Trump |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/09/us/politics/james-comey-fired-fbi.html |accessdate=May 10, 2017 |work=] |date=May 10, 2017}}</ref> which criticized Comey's conduct in the investigation about ].<ref name=Guardian-20170509>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/may/09/james-comey-fbi-fired-donald-trump |title=Donald Trump fires FBI director Comey over handling of Clinton investigation |last=Smith |first=David |date=May 9, 2017 |work=] |accessdate=May 9, 2017}}</ref> On May 11, Trump said he was concerned with the ongoing "Russia thing"<ref name=Barrett-20170511>{{cite news |last1=Barrett |first1=Devlin |last2=Rucker |first2=Philip |author2link=Philip Rucker |title=Trump said he was thinking of Russia controversy when he decided to fire Comey |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-says-fbi-director-comey-told-him-three-times-he-wasnt-under-investigation-once-in-a-phone-call-initiated-by-the-president/2017/05/11/2b384c9a-3669-11e7-b4ee-434b6d506b37_story.html |newspaper=] |date=May 11, 2017 |accessdate=May 12, 2017}}</ref> and that he had intended to fire Comey earlier, regardless of DOJ advice.<ref name=theweek-20170511>{{cite news |url=https://theweek.com/speedreads/698368/president-trump-just-completely-contradicted-official-white-house-account-comey-firing |title=President Trump just completely contradicted the official White House account of the Comey firing |date=May 11, 2017 |work=] |first=Becca |last=Stanek |accessdate=May 11, 2017}}</ref>

According to a ] of a private conversation on February 14, 2017, Trump said he "hoped" Comey would drop the investigation into National Security Advisor ].<ref name="Wilber">{{cite news |last1=Wilber |first1=Del Quentin |author1link=Del Quentin Wilber |last2=Viswanatha |first2=Aruna |title=Trump Asked Comey to Drop Flynn Investigation, According to Memo Written by Former FBI Director |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-asked-comey-to-drop-flynn-investigation-according-to-memo-written-by-former-fbi-director-1494974774 |work=] {{subscription required}} |date=May 16, 2017 |accessdate=May 16, 2017}}</ref>
In March and April, Trump had told Comey the ongoing suspicions formed a "cloud" impairing his presidency,<ref name="comeytestimony">{{cite web |last=Comey |first=James |title=Statement for the Record Senate Select Committee on Intelligence |url=https://www.intelligence.senate.gov/sites/default/files/documents/os-jcomey-060817.pdf |website=United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence |publisher=United States Government |accessdate=June 7, 2017 |page=7 |date=June 8, 2017}}</ref> and asked him to publicly state that he was not personally under investigation.<ref name="schmidt">{{cite news |last1=Schmidt |first1=Michael S. |author1link=Michael S. Schmidt |last2=Goldman |first2=Adam |author2link=Adam Goldman |title=Comey to Testify Trump Pressured Him to Say He Wasn't Under Investigation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/07/us/politics/james-comey-statement-testimony.html |accessdate=June 7, 2017 |work=] |date=June 7, 2017}}</ref> He also asked intelligence chiefs ] and ] to issue statements saying there was no evidence that his campaign colluded with Russia during the 2016 election.<ref name=Sciutto>{{cite news |last1=Sciutto |first1=Jim |last2=Watkins |first2=Eli |title=Trump asked DNI, NSA to deny evidence of Russia collusion |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2017/05/22/politics/donald-trump-intelligence-community/index.html |website=] |date=May 23, 2017}}</ref> Both refused, considering this an inappropriate request, although not illegal.<ref name=Dilanian>{{cite news |last1=Dilanian |first1=Ken |last2=Windrem |first2=Robert |title=Trump Asked Top Intel Officials to Push Back Publicly on Russia Probe |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/trump-asked-top-intel-officials-push-back-publicly-russia-probe-n763336 |website=] |date=May 22, 2017}}</ref> Comey eventually testified on June{{nbsp}}8 that, while he was director, the FBI investigations had not targeted Trump himself.<ref name="comeytestimony" /><ref name=nyt-20110608>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/08/us/politics/trump-speech-faith-freedom-coalition.html |title='I Was Right': As Trump Watches Comey on TV, Anxiety Yields to Relief |newspaper=] |first1=Glenn |last1=Thrush |author1link=Glenn Thrush |first2=Maggie |last2=Haberman |author2link=Maggie Haberman |date=June 8, 2017 |accessdate=June 9, 2017}}</ref>

=== COVID-19 pandemic ===

{{Main|COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|U.S. federal government response to the COVID-19 pandemic}}
] into law on March&nbsp;6, 2020.]]

In December 2019, an outbreak of ] (COVID-19) was first identified in ], ], China, spreading worldwide within weeks.<ref name="WHOpandemic2">{{cite web |url=https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19---11-march-2020 |title=WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 – 11 March 2020 |date=March 11, 2020 |publisher=] |access-date=March 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Coronavirus disease 2019 |url=https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 |publisher=] |accessdate=March 15, 2020}}</ref> The first confirmed case in the United States was reported on January 20, 2020.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Holshue |first=Michelle L. |display-authors=etal |date=March 5, 2020 |title=First Case of 2019 Novel Coronavirus in the United States |journal=] |volume=382 |pages=929–936 |doi=10.1056/NEJMoa200119 |doi-broken-date=2020-05-09 |pmid=32004427}}</ref> On January 31, ] ] announced a partial ban on non-Americans traveling to the U.S. from China, effective February 2.<ref name=Cloud-200419<ref>{{cite news |last1=Corkery |first1=Michael |last2=Karni |first2=Annie |author2link=Annie Karni |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/31/business/china-travel-coronavirus.html |title=Trump Administration Restricts Entry into U.S. From China |newspaper=] |date=January 31, 2020 |access-date=April 17, 2020}}</ref>

Trump was slow to address the pandemic, initially dismissing the imminent threat and ignoring calls for action from government health experts and Secretary Azar.<ref name="Cloud-200419">{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-04-19/coronavirus-outbreak-president-trump-slow-response |title=How Trump let the U.S. fall behind the curve on coronavirus threat |work=] |date=April 19, 2020 |accessdate=April 21, 2020 |first1=David |last1=Cloud |first2=Paul |last2=Pringle |author2link=Paul Pringle |first3=Eli |last3=Stokols}}</ref><ref name="NYT 4 11 20">{{cite news |first1=Eric |last1=Lipton |author1link=Eric Lipton |first2=David E. |last2=Sanger |author2link=David E. Sanger |first3=Maggie |last3=Haberman |author3link=Maggie Haberman |first4=Michael D. |last4=Shear |author4link=Michael D. Shear |first5=Mark |last5=Mazzetti |author5link=Mark Mazzetti |first6=Julian E. |last6=Barnes |title=He Could Have Seen What Was Coming: Behind Trump's Failure on the Virus |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/11/us/politics/coronavirus-trump-response.html |accessdate=April 11, 2020 |work=] |date=April 11, 2020}}</ref> Throughout January and February, he rejected persistent public health warnings from officials within his administration, focusing instead on economic and political considerations of the outbreak.<ref name="Kelly-200321">{{cite news |last=Kelly |first=Caroline |date=March 21, 2020 |title=Washington Post: US intelligence warned Trump in January and February as he dismissed coronavirus threat |work=] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/20/politics/us-intelligence-reports-trump-coronavirus/index.html |accessdate=April 21, 2020}}</ref><ref name="NYT 4 11 20" /> He continued to claim that a vaccine was months away, although HHS and CDC officials had repeatedly told him it would take 12–18 months to develop a vaccine.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/02/12/804628081/timetable-for-a-vaccine-against-the-new-coronavirus-maybe-this-fall |title=Timetable for a Vaccine Against the New Coronavirus? Maybe This Fall |work=] |first=Joe |last=Palca |authorlink=Joe Palca |date=February 12, 2020 |access-date=March 3, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Allen-200305">{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/05/coronavirus-trump-vaccine-rhetoric-121796 |title=Trump gets a fact check on coronavirus vaccines – from his own officials |work=] |date=March 5, 2020 |accessdate=April 12, 2020 |first1=Arthur |last1=Allen |author1link=Arthur Allen (author) |first2=Meredith |last2=McGraw}}</ref> Trump also exaggerated the availability of testing for the virus, falsely claiming "anybody that wants a test can get a test," despite the availability of tests being severely limited.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://khn.org/news/donald-trumps-wrong-claim-that-anybody-can-get-tested-for-coronavirus/ |title=Donald Trump's Wrong Claim That 'Anybody' Can Get Tested For Coronavirus |last=Valverde |first=Miriam |date=March 12, 2020 |work=] |accessdate=March 18, 2020}}</ref><ref name="AP-200411">{{cite news |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2020-04-11/trump-and-his-trail-of-unmet-promises-in-coronavirus-fight |title=Trump Leaves Trail of Unmet Promises in Coronavirus Response |work=] |first=Calvin |last=Woodward |date=April 11, 2020 |accessdate=April 12, 2020 |agency=]}}</ref>

On March 6, Trump signed the ] into law, which provided $8.3&nbsp;billion in emergency funding for federal agencies.<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump signs emergency coronavirus package, injecting $8.3 billion into efforts to fight the outbreak |url=https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/trump-signs-billion-emergency-funding-package-fight-coronavirus-legislation-covid19-020-3-1028972206 |work=] |first=Gina |last=Heeb |date=March 6, 2020}}</ref> On March 11, he announced partial travel restrictions for most of Europe, effective March 13.<ref>{{cite news |title=Coronavirus: What you need to know about Trump's Europe travel ban |url=https://www.thelocal.dk/20200312/trump-imposes-travel-ban-from-europe-over-coronavirus-outbreak |work=] |date=March 12, 2020}}</ref> That same day, he gave his first serious assessment of the virus ("horrible") in a nationwide Oval Office address; he also said the outbreak was "a temporary moment" and that there was no financial crisis.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/us/politics/trump-coronavirus-address.html |title=In Rare Oval Office Speech, Trump Voices New Concerns and Old Themes |last1=Karni |first1=Annie |author1link=Annie Karni |last2=Haberman |first2=Maggie |author2link=Maggie Haberman |date=March 12, 2020 |work=] |accessdate=March 18, 2020}}</ref> On March 13, he declared a ], freeing up federal resources.<ref name="Politico 3 13 2020">{{cite news |last1=Oprysko |first1=Caitlin |work=] |title='I don't take responsibility at all': Trump deflects blame for coronavirus testing fumble |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/13/trump-coronavirus-testing-128971 |accessdate=April 11, 2020 |date=March 13, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Frum April 2020">{{cite news |last1=Frum |first1=David |title=This Is Trump's Fault |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/04/americans-are-paying-the-price-for-trumps-failures/609532/ |accessdate=April 11, 2020 |work=] |date=April 7, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/13/politics/donald-trump-emergency/index.html |title=Trump declares national emergency – and denies responsibility for coronavirus testing failures |last=Liptak |first=Kevin |date=March 13, 2020 |work=] |accessdate=March 18, 2020}}</ref>
]

Beginning in mid-March, Trump held a daily press conference, joined by medical experts and other administration officials,<ref name=Karni>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/23/us/politics/coronavirus-trump-briefing.html |title=In Daily Coronavirus Briefing, Trump Tries to Redefine Himself |last=Karni |first=Annie |authorlink=Annie Karni |date=March 23, 2020 |work=] |accessdate=April 8, 2020}}</ref> sometimes disagreeing with them by promoting unproven treatments.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/06/us/politics/coronavirus-trump-malaria-drug.html |title=Trump's Aggressive Advocacy of Malaria Drug for Treating Coronavirus Divides Medical Community |first1=Peter |last1=Baker |author1link=Peter Baker (journalist) |first2=Katie |last2=Rogers |first3=David |last3=Enrich |author3link=David Enrich |first4=Maggie |last4=Haberman |author4link=Maggie Haberman |date=April 6, 2020 |work=] |accessdate=April 8, 2020}}</ref> Trump was the main speaker at the briefings, where he praised his own response to the pandemic, frequently criticized rival presidential candidate ], and denounced members of the ].<ref name=Karni/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://time.com/5812588/donald-trump-coronavirus-briefings-message-campaign/ |title='He's Walking the Tightrope.' How Donald Trump Is Getting Out His Message on Coronavirus |last=Berenson |first=Tessa |date=March 30, 2020 |work=] |accessdate=April 8, 2020}}</ref> On March 16, he acknowledged for the first time that the pandemic was not under control and that months of disruption to daily lives and a recession might occur.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dale |first=Daniel |authorlink=Daniel Dale |title=Fact check: Trump tries to erase the memory of him downplaying the coronavirus |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/17/politics/fact-check-trump-always-knew-pandemic-coronavirus/index.html |accessdate=March 19, 2020 |work=] |date=March 17, 2020}}</ref>On April 3, Trump announced that the federal government would use funds from the ] to pay hospitals for treatment of uninsured patients infected with the coronavirus.<ref>{{cite news |title=Administration says it will reimburse hospitals for treating uninsured coronavirus patients |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/491113-administration-says-it-will-reimburse-hospitals-for-treating |work=] |first=Morgan |last=Chalfant |date=April 3, 2020}}</ref> His repeated use of the terms "Chinese virus" and "China virus" to describe ] drew criticism from the media, health experts, the ] (WHO), and the Chinese government.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.vox.com/2020/3/18/21185478/coronavirus-usa-trump-chinese-virus |title=Trump's new fixation on using a racist name for the coronavirus is dangerous |last=Scott |first=Dylan |accessdate=March 19, 2020 |date=March 18, 2020 |website=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newsweek.com/who-langauge-stigmatizing-coronavirus-trump-chinese-1493172 |title=WHO expert condemns language stigmatizing coronavirus after Trump repeatedly calls it the "Chinese virus" |date=March 19, 2020 |accessdate=March 19, 2020 |last=Georgiou |first=Aristos |website=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/488311-us-china-relationship-worsens-over-coronavirus |title=US-China relationship worsens over coronavirus |last=Beavers |first=Olivia |website=] |date=March 19, 2020 |accessdate=March 19, 2020}}</ref>

By early April, as the pandemic worsened and amid criticism of his administration's response, Trump refused to admit any mistakes in his handling of the outbreak, instead blaming the media, Democratic state governors, the previous administration, China, and the World Health Organization.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lemire |first1=Jonathan |title=As pandemic deepens, Trump cycles through targets to blame |url=https://apnews.com/58f1b869354970689d55ccae37c540f3 |accessdate=May 5, 2020 |work=] |date=April 10, 2020}}</ref> By mid-April 2020, some national news agencies began limiting live coverage of his daily press briefings, with '']'' reporting that "] and false statements from Trump alternate with newsworthy pronouncements from members of his ], particularly coronavirus response coordinator ] and ] Director ]."<ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=April 16, 2020 |first=Erik |last=Wemple |authorlink=Erik Wemple |title=More news outlets are bailing on Trump's coronavirus briefings |accessdate=April 16, 2020 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/04/16/more-news-outlets-are-bailing-trumps-coronavirus-briefings/}}</ref> The daily coronavirus task force briefings ended in late April, after Trump at one of the briefings floated the idea of using bleach injections to treat COVID-19, leading to widespread condemnation by medical professionals for the idea.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Aratani |first1=Lauren |title=Why is the White House winding down the coronavirus taskforce? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/05/white-house-coronavirus-taskforce-winding-down-why |accessdate=June 8, 2020 |work=] |date=May 5, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Coronavirus: Trump says virus task force to focus on reopening economy |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52563577 |accessdate=June 8, 2020 |work=] |date=May 6, 2020}}</ref>

On April 1, 2020, the ] (USAID) extended the ] program for six months.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Baumgaertner |first1=Emily |last2=Rainey |first2=James |url=https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2020-04-02/coronavirus-trump-pandemic-program-viruses-detection |title=Trump administration ended pandemic early-warning program to detect coronaviruses |newspaper=] |date=April 2, 2020 |access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Zachary |last=Cohen |date=April 10, 2020 |accessdate=July 10, 2020 |title=Trump administration shuttered pandemic monitoring program, then scrambled to extend it |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/10/politics/trump-usaid-prevent-program-coronavirus/index.html |website=]}}</ref> In September 2019, the Trump administration had ended the 200-million-dollar early-warning program initiated by USAID in 2009;<ref>{{cite news |last=McNeil |first=Donald G. Jr. |authorlink=Donald McNeil Jr. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/25/health/predict-usaid-viruses.html| title=Scientists Were Hunting for the Next Ebola. Now the U.S. Has Cut Off Their Funding. |date=October 25, 2019 |access-date=July 11, 2020 |newspaper=]}}</ref> dozens of epidemiologists and wildlife veterinarians working for partner organizations were laid off.<ref>{{cite news |accessdate=July 10, 2020 |title=Trump administration cut pandemic early warning program in September |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/03/trump-scrapped-pandemic-early-warning-program-system-before-coronavirus |date=April 3, 2020 |website=] |first=Oliver |last=Milman}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first1=Kayla |last1=Epstein |accessdate=July 10, 2020 |title=The Trump administration stopped funding a pandemic warning program just a few months before the novel coronavirus outbreak |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/us-cut-pandemic-warning-project-before-coronavirus-outbreak-2020-4 |website=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Conor |last=Finnegan |accessdate=July 10, 2020 |title=Trump budget proposes cuts to global health amid two global health crises |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-budget-proposes-cuts-global-health-amid-global/story?id=68911515 |website=]}}</ref> The program trained scientists in sixty foreign laboratories, including the Wuhan lab that first identified the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes COVID-19, to detect and respond to viruses that have the potential to cause pandemics.

On April 22, Trump signed an executive order restricting some forms of ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump's immigration executive order: What you need to know |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/trump-immigration-executive-order-200423185402661.html |work=] |date=April 23, 2020}}</ref> In April 2020, Republican-connected groups organized ] against the measures state governments were taking to combat the pandemic;<ref name="Grauniad-Right">{{Cite news |last=Wilson |first=Jason |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/17/far-right-coronavirus-protests-restrictions |title=The rightwing groups behind wave of protests against Covid-19 restrictions |date=April 17, 2020 |work=] |access-date=April 18, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Andone |first=Dakin |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/16/us/protests-coronavirus-stay-home-orders/index.html |title=Protests Are Popping Up Across the US over Stay-at-Home Restrictions |date=April 17, 2020 |work=]}}</ref> Trump encouraged the protests on Twitter,<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Shear |first1=Michael D. |author1link=Michael D. Shear |last2=Mervosh |first2=Sarah |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/17/us/politics/trump-coronavirus-governors.html |title=Trump Encourages Protest Against Governors Who Have Imposed Virus Restrictions |date=April 17, 2020 |work=] |access-date=April 19, 2020}}</ref> even though the targeted states did not meet the Trump administration's own guidelines for reopening.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/493701-trump-support-for-protests-threatens-to-undermine-social-distancing |title=Trump support for protests threatens to undermine social distancing rules |last1=Chalfant |first1=Morgan |last2=Samuels |first2=Brett |date=April 20, 2020 |work=] |accessdate=July 10, 2020}}</ref> He first supported, then later criticized Georgia Governor ]'s plan to reopen some nonessential businesses,<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump approved of Georgia's plan to reopen before bashing it |url=https://apnews.com/a031d395d414ffa655fdc65e6760d6a0 |work=] |accessdate=April 28, 2020 |date=April 24, 2020 |first1=Jonathan |last1=Lemire |first2=Ben |last2=Nadler}}</ref> which was a key example of Trump often reversing his stances in his communication during the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Blake |first1=Aaron |title=12 of Trump's worst coronavirus contradictions |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/04/23/12-trumps-worst-coronavirus-contradictions/ |accessdate=May 13, 2020 |work=] |date=April 24, 2020}}</ref> Throughout the spring he increasingly pushed for ending the restrictions as a way to reverse the damage to the country's economy.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/18/trump-reopening-economy-193885 |title=Trump's unspoken factor on reopening the economy: Politics |last=Kumar |first=Anita |date=April 18, 2020 |work=] |accessdate=July 10, 2020}}</ref>

In early May, President Trump proposed that the coronavirus task force should be phased out, to accommodate another group centered on reopening the economy. Amid a backlash, Trump publicly said the coronavirus task force would continue on "indefinitely".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Liptak |first1=Kevin |title=In reversal, Trump says task force will continue 'indefinitely' – eyes vaccine czar |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/05/06/politics/trump-task-force-vaccine/index.html |accessdate=June 8, 2020 |work=] |date=May 6, 2020}}</ref> By the end of May, the coronavirus task force's meetings were sharply reduced.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Acosta |first1=Jim |author1link=Jim Acosta |last2=Liptak |first2=Kevin |last3=Westwood |first3=Sarah |title=As US deaths top 100,000, Trump's coronavirus task force is curtailed |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/05/28/politics/donald-trump-coronavirus-task-force/index.html |accessdate=June 8, 2020 |work=] |date=May 29, 2020}}</ref>

For months, Trump refused to wear a face mask at press conferences and most public events, contrary to his own administration's April 2020 guidance that Americans should wear masks in public.<ref name=99days>{{cite news |last1=Danner |first1=Chas |title=99 Days Later, Trump Finally Wears a Face Mask in Public |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/07/trump-finally-wears-a-face-mask-in-public-covid-19.html |accessdate=July 12, 2020 |work=] |date=July 11, 2020}}</ref> By June, Trump had stated that masks were a "double-edged sword", ridiculed Biden for wearing one, continually emphasized that mask-wearing was optional, and suggested that wearing a mask is a political statement against him personally.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/06/25/trumps-dumbfounding-refusal-encourage-wearing-masks/ |title=Trump's dumbfounding refusal to encourage wearing masks |last=Blake |first=Aaron |date=June 25, 2020 |work=] |accessdate=July 10, 2020}}</ref> Trump first wore a face mask in public in July 2020, at ].<ref name=99days/> In late spring and early summer, with infections and death counts continuing to rise, he adopted a strategy of shifting the blame for his administration's failure to the states.<ref name="NYT 719 Failure">{{cite news |first1=Michael D. |last1=Shear |author1link=Michael D. Shear |first2=Noah |last2=Weiland |first3=Eric |last3=Lipton |author3link=Eric Lipton |first4=Maggie |last4=Haberman |author4link=Maggie Haberman |first5=David E. |last5=Sanger |author5link=David E. Sanger |title=Inside Trump's Failure: The Rush to Abandon Leadership Role on the Virus |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/18/us/politics/trump-coronavirus-response-failure-leadership.html |accessdate=July 19, 2020 |work=] |date=July 19, 2020}}</ref>

In July 2020, Trump announced the formal withdrawal of the United States from the WHO effective July 2021, after alleging that the organization had enabled the Chinese government's concealment of the origins of the pandemic.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cohen |first1=Zachary |last2=Hansler |first2=Jennifer |last3=Atwood |first3=Kylie |last4=Salama |first4=Vivian |last5=Murray |first5=Sara |title=Trump administration begins formal withdrawal from World Health Organization |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/07/07/politics/us-withdrawing-world-health-organization/index.html |accessdate=July 19, 2020 |work=] |date=July 7, 2020}}</ref>

Despite record numbers of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. from mid-June onward and an increasing percentage of positive test results, Trump continued to mostly downplay the pandemic, including his claim in early July 2020 that 99% of COVID-19 cases are "totally harmless", a claim which contradicts health officials in the U.S.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Blake |first1=Aaron |title=President Trump, coronavirus truther |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/07/06/trump-throws-caution-wind-coronavirus/ |accessdate=July 11, 2020 |work=] |date=July 6, 2020}}</ref> He also began insisting that all states should open schools to in-person education in the fall, despite a July spike in reported cases.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/07/07/888157257/white-house-pushes-to-reopen-schools-despite-a-surge-in-coronavirus-cases |title=Trump Pledges To 'Pressure' Governors To Reopen Schools Despite Health Concerns |last=Sprunt |first=Barbara |date=July 7, 2020 |work=] |accessdate=July 10, 2020}}</ref>

=== Lafayette Square protester removal and photo op ===

{{Main|Donald Trump photo op at St. John's Church}}
{{external media
| float = right
| width = 300px
| video1 = {{YouTube|link=no|id=JxYmILDya0A|title=A video timeline of the crackdown on protesters before Trump's photo op}} (The Washington Post) (12:12)
| video2 = {{YouTube|link=no|id=0oRQF68psdY|title=Trump Stands In Front of Church Holding Bible After Threatening Military Action Against Protesters}} (NBC) (2:40)
| video3 = {{YouTube|link=no|id=5ShnqmiKLE8|title=President Trump walks across Lafayette Park to St. John's Church}} {{nowrap|(C-SPAN)}} (7:46)
}}

In a Rose Garden speech on June 1, 2020, Trump announced that he would deploy the U.S. military to stop the ] following the ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-considering-move-invoke-insurrection-act-n1221326 |title=Trump says he will deploy military if state officials can't contain protest violence |work=] |date=June 1, 2020 |first1=Dareh |last1=Gregorian |first2=Courtney |last2=Kube |first3=Carol E. |last3=Lee |access-date=July 27, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-protest-president-law-and-order/ |title=Trump says he's "president of law and order," declares aggressive action on violent protests |work=] |date=June 2, 2020 |access-date=July 29, 2020}}</ref> While he was speaking, federal law enforcement officials used batons, rubber bullets, ],<ref name="wb">{{cite news |last1=Leonnig |first1=Carol D. |author1link=Carol D. Leonnig |last2=Zapotosky |first2=Matt |last3=Dawsey |first3=Josh |author3link=Josh Dawsey |last4=Tan |first4=Rebecca |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/barr-personally-ordered-removal-of-protesters-near-white-house-leading-to-use-of-force-against-largely-peaceful-crowd/2020/06/02/0ca2417c-a4d5-11ea-b473-04905b1af82b_story.html |title=Barr personally ordered removal of protesters near White House, leading to use of force against largely peaceful crowd |newspaper=] |date= June 2, 2020 |access-date=June 3, 2020}}</ref> ]s, and smoke to remove a largely peaceful crowd from ], outside the White House. The removal had been ordered by Attorney General ].<ref name="wb" /><ref name="bumpline">{{Cite news |last=Bump |first=Philip |date=June 6, 2020 |title=Timeline: The clearing of Lafayette Square |work=] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/06/02/timeline-clearing-lafayette-square/ |access-date=June 6, 2020}}</ref> Trump then walked to ] where the night before a small fire had been set in the basement nursery of its ].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lowe |first1=Lindsay |title=A look at damage inside historic St. John's Church, which burned during protests |url=https://www.today.com/news/look-damage-inside-historic-st-john-s-church-washington-dc-t182954 |accessdate=June 6, 2020 |work=] |date=June 2, 2020}}</ref> He posed for photographs holding a Bible, with Cabinet members and other officials later joining him in photos.<ref name="wb"/><ref name="bumpline"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Blake |first=Aaron |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/06/03/2-new-developments-reinforce-how-problematic-trumps-church-photo-op-was/ |title=2 new developments reinforce how problematic Trump's church photo op was |newspaper=] |date= June 3, 2020 |access-date=June 13, 2020}}</ref> Trump, who had attended services at the church three times since taking office, did not enter the church or inspect the damage to the basement.<ref>{{cite news |last1=King |first1=Ledyard |last2=Elbeshbishi |first2=Sarah |work=] |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/06/02/george-floyd-protests-donald-trumps-latest-link-st-johns-church/3124396001/ |title=St. John's Church has intersected with Donald Trump at key moments of his presidency |date=June 2, 2020 |access-date=July 29, 2020}}</ref><ref name="clash">{{Cite news |last1=Rucker |first1=Philip |author1link=Philip Rucker |last2=Parker |first2=Ashley |author2link=Ashley Parker |date=June 14, 2020 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/lafayette-square-clash-still-reverberating-becomes-an-iconic-episode-in-donald-trumps-presidency/2020/06/13/9ddcc348-acb8-11ea-9063-e69bd6520940_story.html |title=Lafayette Square clash, still reverberating, becomes an iconic episode in Donald Trump's presidency |newspaper=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Rogers |first=Katie |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/01/us/politics/trump-st-johns-church-bible.html |title=Protesters Dispersed With Tear Gas So Trump Could Pose at Church |newspaper=] |date=June 1, 2020 |access-date=July 27, 2020}}</ref>

Religious leaders condemned the treatment of protesters and the photo opportunity itself.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stableford |first1=Dylan |last2=Wilson |first2=Christopher |title=Religious leaders condemn teargassing protesters to clear street for Trump |url=https://news.yahoo.com/religious-leaders-condemn-gassing-protesters-to-clear-street-for-trump-192800782.html |accessdate=June 8, 2020 |work=] |date=June 3, 2020}}</ref><ref name="clash"/> Many retired military leaders and defense officials condemned Trump's proposal to use the U.S. military against the protesters.<ref name="clash"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Scores of retired military leaders publicly denounce Trump |url=https://apnews.com/252914f8a989a740544be6d4992d044c |accessdate=June 8, 2020 |work=] |date=June 6, 2020}}</ref> The chairman of the ], General ], later apologized for accompanying Trump on the walk and thereby "creat the perception of the military involved in domestic politics".<ref name="apology">{{Cite news |last=Lamothe |first=Dan |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2020/06/11/pentagons-top-general-apologizes-appearing-alongside-trump-lafayette-square/ |title=Pentagon's top general apologizes for appearing alongside Trump in Lafayette Square/ |date=June 11, 2020 |access-date=July 5, 2020 |newspaper=]}}</ref>

== Public profile ==
=== Approval ratings ===

{{Further|Opinion polling on the Donald Trump administration}}

At the end of his second year, his two-year average Gallup approval rating was the lowest of any president since World War II.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-average-approval-rating-first-two-years-lowest-any-president-1293785 |title=Donald Trump Approval Rating Average in First Two Years is Lowest For Any President Since World War II |first=Jessica |last=Kwong |date=January 16, 2019 |website=] |accessdate=January 25, 2019}}</ref> As of February 2020, his Gallup rating has ranged from a low of 35% approval to a high of 49%.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://news.gallup.com/opinion/polling-matters/245567/trump-approval-stable-approval-prior-presidents.aspx |title=Trump Approval More Stable Than Approval for Prior Presidents |date=December 21, 2018 |website=] |access-date=January 17, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/481360-trump-hits-highest-gallup-approval-rating-of-his-presidency |title=Trump hits highest Gallup approval rating of his presidency |last=Samuels |first=Brett |date=February 24, 2020 |work=] |accessdate=March 3, 2020}}</ref> His approval and disapproval ratings have been unusually stable.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/trumps-approval-rating-is-incredibly-steady-is-that-weird-or-the-new-normal/ |title=Trump's Approval Rating Is Incredibly Steady. Is That Weird Or The New Normal? |last=Skelley |first=Geoffrey |date=March 28, 2019 |work=] |accessdate=March 3, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/presidential-approval-poll-tracker-n1102776 |title=Trump's approval rating steady despite impeachment: NBC News/Wall Street Journal polls |date=December 17, 2019 |work=] |accessdate=March 3, 2020}}</ref>

In ] asking Americans to name the man they admire the most, Trump placed second to Obama in 2017 and 2018, and tied with Obama for most admired man in 2019.<ref name="gallup1678">{{cite news |url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/1678/most-admired-man-woman.aspx |title=Most Admired Man and Woman |website=] |accessdate=June 12, 2018}}</ref> Since Gallup started conducting the poll in 1948,<ref name="tie"/> Trump is the first elected president not to be named most admired in his first year in office.<ref name="tie">{{cite news |last=Panetta |first=Grace |work=] |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-barack-obama-tie-2019-most-admired-man-gallup-2019-12 |title=Donald Trump and Barack Obama are tied for 2019's most admired man in the US |date=December 30, 2019 |access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref>

=== Social media ===

{{Main|Donald Trump on social media}}

Trump's presence on social media has attracted attention worldwide since he joined ] in March 2009. He communicated heavily on Twitter during the 2016 election campaign, and has continued to use this channel during his presidency. The attention on Trump's Twitter activity has significantly increased since he was sworn in as president. As of May 2019, he is in the top 15 for most Twitter followers at more than 60&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web |title=Twitter: Most Followers |url=https://friendorfollow.com/twitter/most-followers/ |accessdate=May 26, 2019}}</ref>

By the end of May 2020, Trump had written about 52,000 tweets.<ref name="BBCTweets">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-52815552 |title=Twitter tags Trump tweet with fact-checking warning |date=May 27, 2020 |work=] |access-date=June 14, 2020}}</ref> Counted through the Trump Twitter Archive, these include 22,115 tweets over seven years before his presidential candidacy, 8,159 tweets during the {{frac|1|1|2}} years of his candidacy and transition period, and 14,186 tweets over the first three years of his presidency.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.trumptwitterarchive.com/archive |title=Search |website=Trump Twitter Archive |access-date=June 14, 2020}}</ref>

Trump has frequently used Twitter as a direct means of communication with the public, sidelining the press.<ref name="federalist-sidelining">{{cite news |url=https://thefederalist.com/2017/01/23/donald-trumps-social-media-use-key-sidelining-press-2/ |title=Donald Trump's Social Media Use Is Key To Sidelining The Press |first=Dustin |last=Steeve |date=January 23, 2017 |work=] |accessdate=May 31, 2017}}</ref> Since early in his presidency, his tweets have been considered official statements by the ],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/06/politics/trump-tweets-official-statements/index.html |title=Spicer: Tweets are Trump's official statements |first=Elizabeth |last=Landers |date=June 6, 2017 |work=]}}</ref> employed for announcing policy or personnel changes. In March 2018, Trump fired his Secretary of State ] by Twitter.<ref>{{cite news |last=Singletary |first=Michelle |title=Trump dumped Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in a tweet. What's the worst way you've been fired? |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/get-there/wp/2018/03/15/trump-dumped-secretary-of-state-rex-tillerson-in-a-tweet-whats-the-worst-way-youve-been-fired/ |work=] |accessdate=March 18, 2018}}</ref>

Many of the assertions he tweeted have been proven false.<ref name="NYT-20170427">{{cite news |last=Qiu |first=Linda |title=Fact-Checking President Trump Through His First 100 Days |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/29/us/politics/fact-checking-president-trump-through-his-first-100-days.html |newspaper=] |date=April 27, 2017 |accessdate=June 25, 2017}}</ref><ref name="WP-20170501">{{cite news |last1=Kessler |first1=Glenn |author1link=Glenn Kessler (journalist) |last2=Lee |first2=Michelle Ye Hee |title=Fact Checker Analysis – President Trump's first 100 days: The fact check tally |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2017/05/01/president-trumps-first-100-days-the-fact-check-tally/ |newspaper=] |date=May 1, 2017 |accessdate=June 25, 2017}}</ref><ref name="CT-20170624">{{cite news |last1=Drinkard |first1=Jim |last2=Woodward |first2=Calvin |title=Fact check: Trump's missions unaccomplished despite his claims |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/factcheck/ct-fact-check-trump-missions-20170624-story.html |newspaper=] |date=June 24, 2017 |accessdate=June 25, 2017}}</ref>

In May 2020, Twitter began tagging some Trump tweets with fact checking warnings<ref name="BBCTweets"/><ref name="Twitter refutes">{{cite news |last1=Conger |first1=Kate |last2=Alba |first2=Davey |title=Twitter Refutes Inaccuracies in Trump's Tweets About Mail-In Voting |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/26/technology/twitter-trump-mail-in-ballots.html |accessdate=July 7, 2020 |work=] |date=May 26, 2020}}</ref><ref name="first label">{{Cite news |last=Dwoskin |first=Elizabeth |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/05/26/trump-twitter-label-fact-check/|title=Twitter labels Trump's tweets with a fact check for the first time|date=May 27, 2020|access-date=July 7, 2020| newspaper=] }}</ref> and labels for violations of Twitter rules.<ref name="second label">{{Cite news |last=Dwoskin |first=Elizabeth |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/05/29/inside-twitter-trump-label/|title=Twitter's decision to label Trump`s tweets was two years in the making |date=May 30, 2020|access-date=July 7, 2020| newspaper=] }}</ref> Trump responded by threatening to "strongly regulate" or even "close down" social media platforms.<ref name="BBCTweets"/><ref name="lashing out">{{Cite news |last=Dwoskin |first=Elizabeth |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/05/27/trump-twitter-label/|title=Trump lashes out at social media companies after Twitter labels tweets with fact checks|date=June 14, 2020|access-date=May 28, 2020| newspaper=] }}</ref>

=== False statements ===

{{Main|Veracity of statements by Donald Trump}}
] from ''The Washington Post'',<ref name=Kessler.FMC/> the ''Toronto Star'',<ref name=TorontoStar_20190605>{{cite news |last=Dale |first=Daniel |authorlink=Daniel Dale |title=Donald Trump has now said more than 5,000 false things as president |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/world/analysis/2019/06/05/donald-trump-has-now-said-more-than-5000-false-claims-as-president.html |work=] |date=June 5, 2019}}</ref> and CNN<ref name=Dale_20200309>{{cite news |last1=Dale |first1=Daniel |title=Trump is averaging about 59 false claims per week since ... July 8, 2019. |url=https://twitter.com/ddale8/status/1237083913496989702 |date=March 9, 2020}} ()</ref> compiled data on "false or misleading claims" (orange background), and "false claims" (violet foreground), respectively.]]

As president, Trump has frequently made false statements in public speeches and remarks.<ref name="Qiu">{{cite news |first=Linda |last=Qiu |title=Fact-Checking President Trump Through His First 100 Days |date=April 29, 2017 |website=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/29/us/politics/fact-checking-president-trump-through-his-first-100-days.html}}</ref><ref name="KesslerLee">{{cite news |first1=Glenn |last1=Kessler |author1link=Glenn Kessler (journalist) |first2=Michelle Ye Hee |last2=Lee |title=President Trump's first 100 days: The fact check tally |date=May 1, 2017 |website=] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2017/05/01/president-trumps-first-100-days-the-fact-check-tally/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Linda |last=Qiu |title=In One Rally, 12 Inaccurate Claims From Trump |date=June 22, 2017 |website=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/22/us/politics/factcheck-donald-trump-iowa-rally.html}}</ref> The misinformation has been documented by ]s; academics and the media have widely described the phenomenon as unprecedented in American politics.<ref name=unprecedenteduntruths>
* {{cite journal |last=McGranahan |first=Carole |title=An anthropology of lying: Trump and the political sociality of moral outrage |journal=] |date=May 2017 |volume=44 |issue=2 |pages=243–248 |doi=10.1111/amet.12475 |quote=It has long been a truism that politicians lie, but with the entry of Donald Trump into the U.S. political domain, the frequency, degree, and impact of lying in politics are now unprecedented Donald Trump is different. By all metrics and counting schemes, his lies are off the charts. We simply have not seen such an accomplished and effective liar before in U.S. politics.}}
* {{cite news |work=] |date=August 7, 2017 |first=Sheryl Gay |last=Stolberg |authorlink=Sheryl Gay Stolberg |title=Many Politicians Lie. But Trump Has Elevated the Art of Fabrication. |accessdate=March 11, 2019 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/07/us/politics/lies-trump-obama-mislead.html |quote=President Trump, historians and consultants in both political parties agree, appears to have taken what the writer ] once called 'the conflict between truth and politics' to an entirely new level.}}
* {{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/12/30/year-unprecedented-deception-trump-averaged-false-claims-day/ |title=A year of unprecedented deception: Trump averaged 15 false claims a day in 2018 |work=] |date=December 30, 2018 |accessdate=February 20, 2019 |first=Glenn |last=Kessler |authorlink=Glenn Kessler (journalist) |quote='When before have we seen a president so indifferent to the distinction between truth and falsehood, or so eager to blur that distinction?' presidential historian ] said of Trump in 2018.}}
* {{cite news |work=] |date=February 6, 2017 |first=Mark Z. |last=Barabak |title=There's a long history of presidential untruths. Here's why Donald Trump is 'in a class by himself' |accessdate=March 11, 2019 |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-trump-presidential-lies-2017-story.html |quote=White House scholars and other students of government agree there has never been a president like Donald Trump, whose volume of falsehoods, misstatements and serial exaggerations{{snd}}on matters large and wincingly small{{snd}}place him 'in a class by himself', as Texas A&amp;M's ] put it.}}
* {{cite news |work=] |date=December 22, 2017 |first=Daniel |last=Dale |authorlink=Daniel Dale |title=Donald Trump has spent a year lying shamelessly. It hasn't worked |accessdate=March 4, 2019 |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/world/analysis/2017/12/22/donald-trump-has-spent-a-year-lying-shamelessly-it-hasnt-worked.html |quote='We've had presidents that have lied or misled the country, but we've never had a serial liar before. And that's what we're dealing with here,' said ], the prominent Rice University presidential historian.}}
* {{cite news |website=] |date=May 9, 2018 |first=Chris |last=Cillizza |authorlink=Chris Cillizza |title=President Trump lied more than 3,000 times in 466 days |accessdate=March 4, 2019 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/05/01/politics/donald-trump-3000/index.html |quote=We've never had a president with such a casual relationship to the truth&nbsp;... The sheer rate of Trump's untruth-telling is staggering. It is unprecedented.}}
* {{cite web |website=] |date=2017 |first=Heidi Taksdal |last=Skjeseth |title=All the president's lies: Media coverage of lies in the US and France |url=https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2017-10/Taksdal%20Skjeseth%2C%20All%20the%20President%27s%20Lies%20-%20Media%20Coverage%20of%20lies%20in%20the%20US%20and%20France.pdf |quote=...{{nbsp}}a president who is delivering untruths on an unprecedented scale. Mr Trump did this both while running for president, and he has continued to do so in office. There is no precedent for this amount of untruths in the U.S.}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Stern |first1=Donnel |title=Constructivism in the Age of Trump: Truth, Lies, and Knowing the Difference |journal=Psychoanalytic Dialogues |date=May 9, 2019 |volume=29 |issue=2 |pages=189–196 |doi=10.1080/10481885.2019.1587996 |quote=Donald Trump lies so often that some have wondered whether he has ] We expect politicians to stretch the truth. But Trump is a whole different animal. He lies as a policy.}}
* {{cite news |last1=Grosz |first1=Stephen |title=The real reason Donald Trump lies |url=https://www.ft.com/content/b752121c-127a-11e9-a581-4ff78404524e |website=] |accessdate=June 25, 2019 |date=January 9, 2019 |quote=We all lie, but we don't lie like President Trump. He is the most extravagant, reckless, inexhaustible fibber of our era.}}</ref><ref name=Glasser-180803>{{cite news |url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/letter-from-trumps-washington/trumps-escalating-war-on-the-truth-is-on-purpose |title=It's True: Trump Is Lying More, and He's Doing It on Purpose |work=] |date=August 3, 2018 |accessdate=January 10, 2019 |first=Susan |last=Glasser |authorlink=Susan Glasser}}</ref><ref name=Konnikova>{{cite news |last=Konnikova |first=Maria |authorlink=Maria Konnikova |title=Trump's Lies vs. Your Brain |website=] |date=January 20, 2017 |url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/01/donald-trump-lies-liar-effect-brain-214658 |accessdate=March 31, 2018}}</ref> This behavior was similarly observed when he was a presidential candidate.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Finnegan |first1=Michael |title=Scope of Trump's falsehoods unprecedented for a modern presidential candidate |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-trump-false-statements-20160925-snap-story.html |work=] |accessdate=March 4, 2019 |quote=Never in modern presidential politics has a major candidate made false statements as routinely as Trump has.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The 'King of Whoppers': Donald Trump |url=https://www.factcheck.org/2015/12/the-king-of-whoppers-donald-trump/ |website=] |accessdate=March 4, 2019 |quote=In the 12 years of FactCheck.org's existence, we've never seen his match. |date=December 21, 2015}}</ref> His falsehoods have also become a distinctive part of his political identity.<ref name=Glasser-180803/>

Trump uttered "at least one false or misleading claim per day on 91 of his first 99 days" in office, according to ''The New York Times'',<ref name="Qiu"/> and 1,318 total in his first 263 days in office, according to the "Fact Checker" political analysis column of ''The Washington Post''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Michelle Ye Hee |last2=Kessler |first2=Glenn |author2link=Glenn Kessler (journalist) |last3=Kelly |first3=Meg |title=President Trump has made 1,318 false or misleading claims over 263 days |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2017/10/10/president-trump-has-made-1318-false-or-misleading-claims-over-263-days |work=] |date=October 10, 2017 |accessdate=November 5, 2017}}</ref> By the ''Post''{{'}}s tally, it took Trump 601 days to reach 5,000 false or misleading statements and another 226 days to reach the 10,000 mark.<ref name=Kessler-190429>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/04/29/president-trump-has-made-more-than-false-or-misleading-claims/ |title=President Trump has made more than 10,000 false or misleading claims |work=] |date=April 29, 2019 |accessdate=April 29, 2019 |first1=Glenn |last1=Kessler |author1link=Glenn Kessler (journalist) |first2=Salvador |last2=Rizzo |first3=Meg |last3=Kelly}}</ref> For the seven weeks leading up to the midterm elections, it rose to an average of thirty per day<ref>{{cite news |work=] |first1=Glenn |last1=Kessler |author1link=Glenn Kessler (journalist) |first2=Salvador |last2=Rizzo |first3=Meg |last3=Kelly |title=President Trump has made 6,420 false or misleading claims over 649 days |date=November 2, 2018 |accessdate=November 2, 2018 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/11/02/president-trump-has-made-false-or-misleading-claims-over-days/}}</ref> from 4.9 during his first hundred days in office.<ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=September 13, 2018 |first1=Glenn |last1=Kessler |author1link=Glenn Kessler (journalist) |first2=Salvador |last2=Rizzo |first3=Meg |last3=Kelly |title=President Trump has made more than 5,000 false or misleading claims |accessdate=October 16, 2018 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/09/13/president-trump-has-made-more-than-false-or-misleading-claims/}}</ref> The ''Post''{{'}}s reported tally is 20,055 as of July&nbsp;9, 2020,<ref name=Kessler.FMC>{{cite news |work=] |date=July 13, 2020 |first1=Glenn |last1=Kessler |author1link=Glenn Kessler (journalist) |first2=Salvador |last2=Rizzo |first3=Meg |last3=Kelly |title=President Trump has made more than 20,000 false or misleading claims |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/07/13/president-trump-has-made-more-than-20000-false-or-misleading-claims/}}</ref> with the 2019 total more than double the cumulative total of 2017 and 2018.<ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=January 20, 2020 |first1=Glenn |last1=Kessler |author1link=Glenn Kessler (journalist) |first2=Salvador |last2=Rizzo |first3=Meg |last3=Kelly |title=President Trump made 16,241 false or misleading claims in his first three years |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/01/20/president-trump-made-16241-false-or-misleading-claims-his-first-three-years/}}</ref>

Some of Trump's falsehoods are inconsequential, such as his claims of a large crowd size during his inauguration.<ref name="PolitiFact_1/21/2017">{{cite news |title=Donald Trump had biggest inaugural crowd ever? Metrics don't show it |publisher=] |date=January 21, 2017 |first=Linda |last=Qiu |url=http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2017/jan/21/sean-spicer/trump-had-biggest-inaugural-crowd-ever-metrics-don/ |access-date=March 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205200625/http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2017/jan/21/sean-spicer/trump-had-biggest-inaugural-crowd-ever-metrics-don/ |archive-date=February 5, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Rein_3/6/2017">{{cite news |last=Rein |first=Lisa |title=Here are the photos that show Obama's inauguration crowd was bigger than Trump's |website=] |date=March 6, 2017 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/03/06/here-are-the-photos-that-show-obamas-inauguration-crowd-was-bigger-than-trumps/ |accessdate=March 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307222653/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/03/06/here-are-the-photos-that-show-obamas-inauguration-crowd-was-bigger-than-trumps/ |archive-date=March 7, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> Others have had more far reaching effects, such as Trump's promotion of unproven antimalarial drugs as a treatment for COVID‑19 in a press conference and on Twitter in March 2020.<ref name=20200319washingtonpost>{{cite news |last=Nisen |first=Max |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/trump-is-overhyping-unproven-coronavirus-drugs/2020/03/19/ed1ff4e2-6a1a-11ea-b199-3a9799c54512_story.html |title=Trump Is Overhyping Unproven Coronavirus Drugs |date=March 19, 2020 |work=] |access-date=March 24, 2020}}</ref><ref name="March19Briefing">{{cite web |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-vice-president-pence-members-coronavirus-task-force-press-briefing-6/ |title=Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing |publisher=White House |access-date=March 24, 2020}}</ref><ref name="M.Spring">{{cite news |last=Spring |first=Marianna |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-52731624 |title=Coronavirus: The human cost of virus misinformation |date=May 27, 2020 |work=] |access-date=June 13, 2020}}</ref> The claims had consequences worldwide, such as a shortage of these drugs in the United States and ] in Africa and South Asia.<ref name=20200323washingtonpost>{{cite news |last=Rowland |first=Christopher |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/03/20/hospitals-doctors-are-wiping-out-supplies-an-unproven-coronavirus-treatment/ |title=As Trump touts an unproven coronavirus treatment, supplies evaporate for patients who need those drugs |date=March 23, 2020 |work=] |access-date=March 24, 2020}}</ref><ref name=wsj1158498189>{{cite news |last1=Parkinson |first1=Joe |last2=Gauthier-Villars |first2=David |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-claim-that-malaria-drugs-treat-coronavirus-sparks-warnings-shortages-11584981897 |title=Trump Claim That Malaria Drugs Treat Coronavirus Sparks Warnings, Shortages |date=March 23, 2020 |work=] |access-date=March 26, 2020 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The state of ] obtained nearly a million doses for its hospitals, even though most of them did not want the drug.<ref name="Atterbury-Dixon">{{cite news |last1=Atterbury |first1=Andrew |last2=Dixon |first2=Matt |url=https://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2020/06/11/florida-ordered-1-million-doses-of-a-trump-touted-drug-hospitals-didnt-want-it-1292638 |title=Florida ordered 1M doses of a Trump-touted drug. Hospitals didn't want it |date=June 11, 2020 |work=] |access-date=June 13, 2020}}</ref> Other misinformation, such as Trump's retweet of unverified videos of a far-right British nationalist group in November 2017, serves a domestic political purpose, promoting policies on immigration and border security.<ref name="AZurcher">{{cite news |last=Zurcher |first=Anthony |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42171550 |title=Trump's anti-Muslim retweet fits a pattern |date=November 29, 2017 |work=] |access-date=June 13, 2020}}</ref> As a matter of principle, Trump does not apologize for his falsehoods.<ref name="JAllen">{{cite news |last1=Allen |first1=Jonathan |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/does-being-president-trump-still-mean-never-having-say-you-n952841 |title=Does being President Trump still mean never having to say you're sorry? |date=December 31, 2018 |work=] |access-date=June 14, 2020}}</ref>

Despite the frequency of Trump's falsehoods, the media have rarely referred to them as "lies".<ref name="DGreenberg">{{cite news |last=Greenberg |first=David |url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/01/the-perils-of-calling-trump-a-liar-214704 |title=The Perils of Calling Trump a Liar |date=January 28, 2017 |work=] |access-date=June 13, 2020}}</ref><ref name="DBouder">{{cite news |last=Bouder |first=David |url=https://apnews.com/88675d3fdd674c7c9ec70f170f6e4a1a/News-media-hesitate-to-use-'lie'-for-Trump's-misstatements |title=News media hesitate to use 'lie' for Trump's misstatements |date=August 29, 2018 |work=] |access-date=June 13, 2020}}</ref> The word suggests an attempt to deceive, hence if used could be construed as conveying an opinion as to the intent behind the statement.<ref name="DGreenberg"/><ref name="DBouder"/> The word is fraught with political peril and has usually been avoided out of respect for the presidential office.<ref name="DGreenberg"/><ref name="DBouder"/> Nevertheless, in August 2018 ''The Washington Post'' declared for the first time that some of Trump's misstatements (statements concerning hush money paid to ] and ''Playboy'' model ]) were lies.<ref name="GKessler">{{cite news |last=Kessler |first=Glenn |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/08/23/not-just-misleading-not-merely-false-lie/ |title=Not just misleading. Not merely false. A lie. |date=August 23, 2018 |work=] |access-date=June 13, 2020}}</ref><ref name="DBouder"/> Former Secretary of State for ], ], who had never used the word in reference to any previous president, said in June 2020 that Trump "lies all the time".<ref name="SBecket">{{cite news |last=Becket |first=Stefan |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/colin-powell-endorsement-joe-biden-trump-cnn/ |title=Colin Powell announces he'll vote for Biden, saying Trump "lies all the time" |date=June 7, 2020 |work=] |access-date=June 13, 2020}}</ref>

Some view the nature and frequency of Trump's falsehoods as having profound and corrosive consequences on democracy.<ref name="MTomasky">{{cite news |last=Tomasky |first=Michael |authorlink=Michael Tomasky |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/11/opinion/trump-lies.html |title=Why Does Trump Lie? |date=June 11, 2020 |work=] |access-date=June 13, 2020}}</ref> James Pfiffner, professor of policy and government at George Mason University, wrote in 2019 that Trump lies differently from previous presidents, because he offers "egregious false statements that are demonstrably contrary to well-known facts"; these lies are the "most important" of all Trump lies. By calling facts into question, people will be unable to properly evaluate their government, with beliefs irrationally settled by "political power"; this erodes ], wrote Pfiffner.<ref name="Pfiffner">{{cite book |last=Pfiffner |first=James P. |editor-last1=Lamb |editor-first1=Charles M. |editor-last2=Neiheisel |editor-first2=Jacob R. |title=Presidential Leadership and the Trump Presidency: Executive Power and Democratic Government |location=New York |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |date=2019 |pages=17–40 |chapter=The Lies of Donald Trump: A Taxonomy |url=https://pfiffner.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Pfiffner-The-Lies-of-Donald-Trump-A-Taxonomy.pdf |isbn=978-3-030-18979-2}}</ref>

=== Promotion of conspiracy theories ===

Before and throughout his presidency, Trump has ], including the Barack Obama "]" theory, the Clinton ] theory, ] and ].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/01/us/politics/donald-trump-conspiracy-theories.html |title=Even as He Rises, Donald Trump Entertains Conspiracy Theories |first=Maggie |last=Haberman |authorlink=Maggie Haberman |date=February 29, 2016 |work=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/11/26/president-trump-loves-conspiracy-theories-has-he-ever-been-right/ |title=President Trump loves conspiracy theories. Has he ever been right? |first=Philip |last=Bump |website=] |date=November 26, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/02/politics/trump-conspiracy-theorists-qanon/index.html |title=The Conspiracy-Theorist-in-Chief clears the way for fringe candidates to become mainstream |first=Maeve |last=Reston |website=] |date=July 2, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/26/us/politics/klausutis-letter-jack-dorsey.html |title=Trump Pushes a Conspiracy Theory That Falsely Accuses a TV Host of Murder |first1=Peter |last1=Baker |author1link=Peter Baker (journalist) |first2=Maggie |last2=Astor |date=May 26, 2020 |work=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/28/us/politics/trump-conspiracy-theories-spygate.html |title=With 'Spygate,' Trump Shows How He Uses Conspiracy Theories to Erode Trust |first1=Julie Hirschfeld |last1=Davis |author1link=Julie Hirschfeld Davis |first2=Maggie |last2=Haberman |author2link=Maggie Haberman |date=May 28, 2018 |work=]}}</ref> A July 2020 video asserting conspiracy theories about coronavirus by ], a Texas physician, was retweeted by Trump before it was removed from Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube because it violated their rules on misinformation. At a press conference on July 28 he was asked why he would trust Immanuel, considering the context of her claims about "alien DNA" and its supposed use in medicine. Trump defended Immanuel saying, "I thought she was very impressive, in the sense that, from where she came{{snd}}I don't know what country she comes from{{snd}}but she said that she's had tremendous success with hundreds of different patients. I thought her voice was an important voice, but I know nothing about her." When pressed further about the conflict with existing official medical information about the virus, Trump ended the briefing abruptly.<ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=July 29, 2020 |first=Kevin |last=Liptak |title=Trump abruptly ends briefing after being pressed over retweeting misinformation |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/07/28/politics/donald-trump-coronavirus-briefing/index.html}}</ref>

=== Relationship with the press ===

{{Further|Presidency of Donald Trump#Relationship with the news media}}
]

Throughout his career, Trump has sought media attention. His interactions with the press turned into what some sources called a "love-hate" relationship.<ref name=Parnes>{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/385245-trumps-love-hate-relationship-with-the-press |title=Trump's love-hate relationship with the press |website=] |date=April 28, 2018 |accessdate=July 4, 2018 |last=Parnes |first=Amy}}</ref><ref name=Ingram-160301>{{cite news |url=https://fortune.com/2016/03/01/media-love-hate-trump/ |title=Love and Hate: The Media's Co-Dependent Relationship With Donald Trump |website=] |date=March 1, 2016 |accessdate=July 4, 2018 |last=Ingram |first=Mathew}}</ref><ref name=AN-170124>{{cite news |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1043476/science-technology |title=Trump's love-hate relationship with media intensifies |website=] |date=January 24, 2017 |accessdate=July 4, 2018 |first=Ben |last=Flanagan}}</ref> Trump began promoting himself in the press in the 1970s.<ref name=Dantonio-160710>{{cite interview |title=Who is Donald Trump? |date=July 10, 2016 |accessdate=July 4, 2018 |last=D'Antonio |first=Michael |website=] |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/07/10/opinions/donald-trump-biography-michael-dantonio/index.html}}</ref> Fox News anchor ] and former House speaker ] have characterized Trump as a "troll" who makes controversial statements to see people's "heads explode".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mediaite.com/tv/bret-baier-trump-likes-trolling-the-left-to-watch-heads-explode-even-if-he-contradicts-himself/ |title=Bret Baier: Trump Likes Trolling the Left to Watch 'Heads Explode', Even If He Contradicts Himself |date=July 24, 2018 |first=Josh |last=Feldman}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/07/magazine/paul-ryan-speakership-end-trump.html |title=This Is the Way Paul Ryan's Speakership Ends |first=Mark |last=Leibovich |authorlink=Mark Leibovich |date=August 7, 2018 |newspaper=]}}</ref>

In the campaign, Trump benefited from a record amount of free media coverage, elevating his standing in the Republican primaries.<ref name=Cillizza-160614/> ''New York Times'' writer ] wrote in September 2018 that one of the reasons for Trump's appeal was his media dominance, which enthralls the public. Chozick endorsed the view that with Trump "feeding something every night" there is a "can't miss" nature for media coverage of him, akin to a reality show.<ref name="ChozickNYT">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/29/sunday-review/trump-2020-reality-tv.html |title=Why Trump Will Win a Second Term |last=Chozick |first=Amy |authorlink=Amy Chozick |date=September 29, 2018 |work=] |access-date=September 22, 2019}}</ref>

Throughout his 2016 presidential campaign and his presidency, Trump has repeatedly accused the press of intentionally misinterpreting his words and of being biased, calling them "fake news media" and "the enemy of the people".<ref name=Walsh-160724 /><ref>{{cite news |last=Bondarenko |first=Veronika |title=Trump keeps saying 'enemy of the people' – but the phrase has a very ugly history |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/history-of-president-trumps-phrase-an-enemy-of-the-people-2017-2 |work=] |accessdate=October 25, 2017}}</ref> After winning the election, journalist ] recounted Trump's saying he intentionally demeaned and discredited the media "so when you write negative stories about me no one will believe you."<ref>{{cite news |last=Thomsen |first=Jacqueline |title='60 Minutes' correspondent: Trump said he attacks the press so no one believes negative coverage |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/388855-60-minutes-correspondent-trump-said-he-attacks-the-press-so-no-one |work=] |accessdate=May 23, 2018}}</ref>

Trump has privately and publicly mused about taking away critical reporters' White House press credentials.<ref name=":17">{{Cite news |url=https://money.cnn.com/2018/05/09/media/president-trump-press-credentials/index.html |title=Trump's latest shot at the press corps: 'Take away credentials?' |first1=Brian |last1=Stelter |author1link=Brian Stelter |first2=Kaitlan |last2=Collins |author2link=Kaitlan Collins |website=] |accessdate=May 9, 2018}}</ref> His administration moved to revoke the press passes of two White House reporters, which were restored by the courts.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/30/business/media/trump-media-2019.html |title=After Another Year of Trump Attacks, 'Ominous Signs' for the American Press |first=Michael M. |last=Grynbaum |date=December 30, 2019 |work=]}}</ref> In 2019, a member of the foreign press reported many of the same concerns as those of media in the U.S., expressing concern that a normalization process by reporters and media results in an inaccurate characterization of Trump.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/20/as-a-foreign-reporter-visiting-the-us-i-was-stunned-by-trumps-press-conference |title=As a foreign reporter visiting the US I was stunned by Trump's press conference |last=Taylor |first=Lenore |authorlink=Lenore Taylor |date=September 20, 2019 |work=] |access-date=September 22, 2019}}</ref> The Trump White House held about a hundred formal press briefings in 2017, declining by half during 2018 and to two in 2019.<ref name="auto2"/>

In early 2020, the Trump campaign sued ''The New York Times'', ''The Washington Post'', and CNN for alleged defamation.<ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=March 3, 2020 |first=David |last=Folkenflik |authorlink=David Folkenflik |title=Trump 2020 Sues 'Washington Post,' Days After 'N.Y. Times' Defamation Suit |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/03/03/811735554/trump-2020-sues-washington-post-days-after-ny-times-defamation-suit}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=March 6, 2020 |first1=Brian |last1=Flood |first2=Brooke |last2=Singman |title=Trump campaign sues CNN over 'false and defamatory' statements, seeks millions in damages |url=https://www.foxnews.com/media/trump-campaign-sues-cnn-false-defamatory-statements-millions-damages.amp}}</ref>

=== Racial views ===

{{Main|Racial views of Donald Trump}}

Trump has made numerous comments and actions that have been characterized both within the U.S. and abroad as racially charged or racist.<ref>Multiple sources:
* {{cite news |work=] |last1=Lopez |first1=German |title=Donald Trump's long history of racism, from the 1970s to 2019 |url=https://www.vox.com/2016/7/25/12270880/donald-trump-racist-racism-history |accessdate=June 15, 2019 |date=February 14, 2019}}
* {{cite news |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/every-moment-donald-trumps-long-complicated-history-race |title=Every moment in Trump's charged relationship with race |date=January 12, 2018 |work=] |accessdate=January 13, 2018}}
* {{cite news |title=A history of Donald Trump's racially charged statements |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/a-history-of-donald-trump-s-racially-charged-statements |accessdate=October 3, 2019 |work=] |agency=] |date=July 16, 2019}}
* {{cite news |last=Dawsey |first=Josh |authorlink=Josh Dawsey |title=Trump's history of making offensive comments about nonwhite immigrants |newspaper=] |date=January 11, 2018 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-attacks-protections-for-immigrants-from-shithole-countries-in-oval-office-meeting/2018/01/11/bfc0725c-f711-11e7-91af-31ac729add94_story.html |accessdate=January 11, 2018}}
* {{cite news |title=Trump's 'shithole' comment denounced across the globe |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/12/trump-shithole-comment-reaction-337926 |accessdate=January 13, 2018 |work=] |date=January 12, 2018 |first=Aubree Eliza |last=Weaver}}
* {{cite news |last1=Stoddard |first1=Ed |last2=Mfula |first2=Chris |title=Africa calls Trump racist after 'shithole' remark |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-immigration-reaction/africa-calls-trump-racist-after-shithole-remark-idUSKBN1F11VC |accessdate=October 1, 2019 |work=] |date=January 12, 2018 |quote=African politicians and diplomats labeled U.S. President Donald Trump a racist on Friday.}}</ref> He has repeatedly denied he is racist, asserting: "I am the least racist person there is anywhere in the world."<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/trump-denies-racism-most-americans-dont-believe-him |title=As Trump denies racism, most Americans don't believe him |last=Benen |first=Steve |date=August 1, 2019 |website=]}}</ref> Many of his supporters say the way he speaks reflects his rejection of ], while others accept it because they share such beliefs.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://morningconsult.com/2017/06/29/poll-majority-trump-voters-say-political-correctness-right/ |title=Poll: Majority of Trump Voters Say His Political Correctness Is 'About Right' |last=Nichols |first=Laura |date=June 29, 2017 |accessdate=January 13, 2018 |website=]}}</ref><ref name="nation-20170508">{{cite news |title=Economic Anxiety Didn't Make People Vote Trump, Racism Did |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/economic-anxiety-didn't-make-people-vote-trump-racism-did/ |accessdate=January 13, 2018 |work=] |date=May 8, 2017 |first1=Sean |last1=McElwee |first2=Jason |last2=McDaniel}}</ref> Scholars have discussed Trump's rhetoric in the context of ].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Inwood |first=Joshua |date=2018 |title=White supremacy, white counter-revolutionary politics, and the rise of Donald Trump |journal=Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space |pages=1–18 |doi=10.1177/2399654418789949}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Giroux |first=Henry A. |date=2017 |title=White nationalism, armed culture and state violence in the age of Donald Trump |journal=Philosophy & Social Criticism |pages=1–24 |doi=10.1177/0191453717702800}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Bobo |first=Lawrence D. |date=2017 |title=The empire strikes back: Fall of the Postracial Myth and Stirrings of Renewed White Supremacy |journal=Du Bois Review: Social Science Research on Race |volume=14 |issue=1 |pages=1–5 |doi=10.1017/S1742058X1700008X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Sanchez |first=James Chase |date=2018 |title=Trump, the KKK, and the Versatility of White Supremacy Rhetoric |journal=Journal of Contemporary Rhetoric |volume=8 |issue=1/2 |pages=44–56 |doi=10.1177/2399654418789949}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Pulido |first1=Laura |first2=Tianna |last2=Bruno |first3=Cristina |last3=Faiver-Serna |first4=Cassandra |last4=Galentine |date=2018 |title=Environmental Deregulation, Spectacular Racism, and White Nationalism in the Trump Era |journal=Journal of Race, Ethnicity, and Politics |volume=109 |issue=2 |pages=520–532 |doi=10.1080/24694452.2018.1549473}}</ref>

Several studies and surveys have found that racist attitudes fueled Trump's political ascendance and have been more important than economic factors in determining the allegiance of Trump voters.<ref name="nation-20170508" /><ref name="vox-20171215">{{cite news |title=The past year of research has made it very clear: Trump won because of racial resentment |url=https://www.vox.com/identities/2017/12/15/16781222/trump-racism-economic-anxiety-study |accessdate=January 14, 2018 |work=] |date=December 15, 2017 |first=German |last=Lopez}}</ref> Racist and ] attitudes have been shown to be a powerful indicator of support for Trump.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Lajevardi |first1=Nazita |last2=Oskooii |first2=Kassra A. R. |date=2018 |title=Old-Fashioned Racism, Contemporary Islamophobia, and the Isolation of Muslim Americans in the Age of Trump |journal=Journal of Race, Ethnicity, and Politics |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages=112–152 |doi=10.1017/rep.2017.37}}</ref> In a June 2018 ] poll, 49 percent of respondents believed he was racist, while 47 percent believed he was not.<ref name="Marcin">{{cite news |url=https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-racist-44-percent-white-americans-poll-survey-new-1007434 |title=44 Percent Of White Americans Think Donald Trump Is Racist, New Poll Finds |last=Marcin |first=Tim |date=July 5, 2018 |accessdate=July 5, 2018 |website=]}}</ref> Additionally, 55 percent said he "has emboldened people who hold racist beliefs to express those beliefs publicly".<ref name="Quinnipiac-180703">{{cite web |url=https://poll.qu.edu/national/release-detail?ReleaseID=2554 |title=Harsh Words For U.S. Family Separation Policy, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; Voters Have Dim View Of Trump, Dems On Immigration |website=] |date=July 3, 2018 |accessdate=July 5, 2018}}</ref>

In 1975, he settled a 1973 Department of Justice lawsuit that alleged housing discrimination against black renters.<ref name="Mahler">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/28/us/politics/donald-trump-housing-race.html |title='No Vacancies' for Blacks: How Donald Trump Got His Start, and Was First Accused of Bias |work=] |date=August 27, 2016 |accessdate=January 13, 2018 |last1=Mahler |first1=Jonathan |last2=Eder |first2=Steve}}</ref> He has also been accused of racism for insisting a group of black and Latino teenagers were guilty of raping a white woman in the 1989 ], even after they were exonerated by DNA evidence in 2002. He has maintained his position on the matter into 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ransom |first1=Jan |title=Trump Will Not Apologize for Calling for Death Penalty Over Central Park Five |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/18/nyregion/central-park-five-trump.html |accessdate=June 29, 2019 |work=] |date=June 18, 2019}}</ref>

Trump launched his political career in 2011 as a leading proponent of ] alleging that Barack Obama, the first black U.S. president, was not born in the United States.<ref>{{cite news |last=Farley |first=Robert |url=https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2011/feb/14/donald-trump/donald-trump-says-people-who-went-school-obama-nev/ |title=Donald Trump says people who went to school with Obama never saw him |website=] |date=February 14, 2011 |access-date=January 31, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Moody |first=Chris |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/03/03/politics/donald-trump-first-speech-to-cpac/index.html |title=Gay conservatives who helped kickstart Trump's GOP career have serious regrets |website=] |date=March 3, 2016 |access-date=February 1, 2020}}</ref> In April 2011, Trump claimed credit for pressuring the White House to publish the "long-form" birth certificate, which he considered fraudulent, and later saying this made him "very popular".<ref name="Madison27April">{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-takes-credit-for-obama-birth-certificate-release-but-wonders-is-it-real/ |title=Trump takes credit for Obama birth certificate release, but wonders 'is it real?' |last=Madison |first=Lucy |date=April 27, 2011 |accessdate=May 9, 2011 |website=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/donald-trumps-history-raising-birther-questions-president-obama/story?id=33861832 |title=Donald Trump's History of Raising Birther Questions About President Obama |website=] |last=Keneally |first=Meghan |date=September 18, 2015 |accessdate=August 27, 2016}}</ref> In September 2016, amid pressure, he acknowledged that Obama was born in the U.S. and falsely claimed the rumors had been started by ] during ].<ref name="nyt-drops">{{cite news |work=] |title=Trump Drops False 'Birther' Theory, but Floats a New One: Clinton Started It |first1=Maggie |last1=Haberman |author1link=Maggie Haberman |first2=Alan |last2=Rappeport |author2link=Alan Rappeport |date=September 16, 2016 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/17/us/politics/donald-trump-birther-obama.html}}</ref> In 2017, he reportedly still expressed birther views in private.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Haberman |first1=Maggie |author1link=Maggie Haberman |last2=Martin |first2=Jonathan |author2link=Jonathan Martin (journalist) |date=November 28, 2017 |title=Trump Once Said the 'Access Hollywood' Tape Was Real. Now He's Not Sure. |work=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/28/us/politics/trump-access-hollywood-tape.html |access-date=June 11, 2020}}</ref>

According to an analysis in '']'', Trump made "explicitly racist appeals to whites" during his 2016 presidential campaign.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Schaffner |first1=Brian F. |author1link=Brian Schaffner |last2=Macwilliams |first2=Matthew |last3=Nteta |first3=Tatishe |title=Understanding White Polarization in the 2016 Vote for President: The Sobering Role of Racism and Sexism |journal=] |date=March 2018 |volume=133 |issue=1 |pages=9–34 |doi=10.1002/polq.12737}}</ref> In particular, his campaign launch speech drew widespread criticism for claiming Mexican immigrants were "bringing drugs, they're bringing crime, they're rapists."<ref>{{cite news |first=Katie |last=Reilly |title=Here Are All the Times Donald Trump Insulted Mexico |url=https://time.com/4473972/donald-trump-mexico-meeting-insult/ |accessdate=January 13, 2018 |work=] |date=August 31, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Five Insults Donald Trump Has Fired At Mexicans In The Presidential Race |url=https://news.sky.com/story/five-insults-donald-trump-has-fired-at-mexicans-in-the-presidential-race-10559438 |accessdate=January 13, 2018 |website=] |date=September 1, 2016}}</ref> His later comments about a Mexican-American judge presiding over a civil suit regarding ] were also criticized as racist.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/08/us/politics/paul-ryan-donald-trump-gonzalo-curiel.html |title=Paul Ryan Calls Donald Trump's Attack on Judge 'Racist', but Still Backs Him |date=June 7, 2016 |work=] |first1=Jennifer |last1=Steinhauer |author1link=Jennifer Steinhauer |first2=Jonathan |last2=Martin |author2link=Jonathan Martin (journalist) |first3=David M. |last3=Herszenhorn |accessdate=January 13, 2018}}</ref>
] in Charlottesville.]]

Trump's comments in reaction to the ] were interpreted as implying a moral equivalence between white supremacist demonstrators and counter-protesters.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/08/15/politics/trump-charlottesville-delay/index.html |title=Trump: 'Both sides' to blame for Charlottesville |last=Merica |first=Dan |date=August 26, 2017 |website=] |accessdate=January 13, 2018}}</ref>

In a January 2018 ] meeting to discuss immigration legislation, he reportedly referred to El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, and African nations as "shithole countries".<ref name="zack">{{cite news |url=https://www.vox.com/2018/1/11/16880804/trump-shithole-countries-racism |title=Trump's "shithole countries" comment exposes the core of Trumpism |last=Beauchamp |first=Zack |date=January 11, 2018 |work=] |accessdate=January 11, 2018}}</ref> His remarks were condemned as racist worldwide, as well as by many members of Congress.<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump's 'shithole' comment denounced across the globe |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/12/trump-shithole-comment-reaction-337926 |accessdate=January 13, 2018 |work=] |date=January 12, 2018 |first=Aubree Eliza |last=Weaver}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/12/unkind-divisive-elitist-international-outcry-over-trumps-shithole-countries-remark |title='There's no other word but racist': Trump's global rebuke for 'shithole' remark |date=January 13, 2018 |work=] |first1=Patrick |last1=Wintour |author1link=Patrick Wintour |first2=Jason |last2=Burke |author2link=Jason Burke |first3=Anna |last3=Livsey |accessdate=January 13, 2018}}</ref>

In July 2019, Trump tweeted that four Democratic members of Congress{{snd}}all four minority women, three of them native-born Americans{{snd}}should "]" to the countries they "came from".<ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=July 14, 2019 |first1=Katie |last1=Rogers |first2=Nicholas |last2=Fandos |author2link=Nicholas Fandos |title=Trump Tells Congresswomen to 'Go Back' to the Countries They Came From |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/14/us/politics/trump-twitter-squad-congress.html}}</ref> Two days later the House of Representatives voted 240–187, mostly along party lines, to condemn his "racist comments".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/07/16/742236610/condemnation-of-president-delayed-by-debate-can-lawmakers-call-trump-tweets-raci |title=House Votes To Condemn Trump's 'Racist Comments' |last=Mak |first=Tim |date=July 16, 2019 |website=] |accessdate=July 17, 2019}}</ref> ] publications and social media sites praised his remarks, which continued over the following days.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/16/politics/white-supremacists-cheer-trump-racist-tweets-soh/index.html |title=Trump said 'many people agree' with his racist tweets. These white supremacists certainly do. |last1=Simon |first1=Mallory |last2=Sidner |first2=Sara |author2link=Sara Sidner |date=July 16, 2019 |website=] |accessdate=July 20, 2019}}</ref>

=== Allegations of sexual misconduct ===

{{Main|Donald Trump sexual misconduct allegations|Donald Trump Access Hollywood tape}}

At least twenty-three women have publicly accused Trump of sexual misconduct {{as of|2019|10|lc=y}}, including his then-wife Ivana. There were allegations of rape, violence, being kissed and groped without consent, looking under women's skirts, and walking in on naked women.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nelson |first1=Libby |last2=McGann |first2=Laura |title=E. Jean Carroll joins at least 21 other women in publicly accusing Trump of sexual assault or misconduct |url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/6/21/18701098/trump-accusers-sexual-assault-rape-e-jean-carroll |accessdate=June 25, 2019 |date=June 21, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Rupar |first1=Aaron |title=Trump faces a new allegation of sexually assaulting a woman at Mar-a-Lago |url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/10/9/20906567/trump-karen-johnson-sexual-assault-mar-a-lago-barry-levine-monique-el-faizy-book |accessdate=April 27, 2020 |work=] |date=October 9, 2019}}</ref> In 2016, he denied all accusations, calling them "false smears", and alleged there was a conspiracy against him.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/14/us/politics/donald-trump-women.html |title=Donald Trump Calls Allegations by Women 'False Smears' |last1=Healy |first1=Patrick |last2=Rappeport |first2=Alan |author2link=Alan Rappeport |date=October 13, 2016 |newspaper=] |accessdate=October 13, 2016}}</ref>

In October 2016, two days before the ], a 2005 "]" recording surfaced in which Trump was heard bragging about kissing and groping women without their consent, saying "when you're a star, they let you do it, you can do anything&nbsp;... grab 'em by the ]."<ref name=NBC080716>{{cite news |last=Timm |first=Jane C. |title=Trump caught on hot mic making lewd comments about women in 2005 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/trump-hot-mic-when-you-re-star-you-can-do-n662116 |website=] |date=October 7, 2016 |accessdate=June 10, 2018}}</ref> The incident's widespread media exposure led to Trump's first public apology during the campaign<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/08/us/politics/donald-trump-women.html |title=Donald Trump Apology Caps Day of Outrage Over Lewd Tape |date=October 7, 2016 |work=] |accessdate=October 8, 2016 |last1=Burns |first1=Alexander |author1link=Alex Burns (journalist) |last2=Haberman |first2=Maggie |author2link=Maggie Haberman |last3=Martin |first3=Jonathan |author3link=Jonathan Martin (journalist)}}</ref> and caused outrage across the political spectrum.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/299895-kaine-on-lewd-trump-tapes-makes-me-sick-to-my-stomach |title=Kaine on lewd Trump tapes: 'Makes me sick to my stomach' |last=Hagen |first=Lisa |date=October 7, 2016 |work=] |accessdate=October 8, 2016}}</ref>

=== Allegations of inciting violence ===

Some research suggests Trump's rhetoric causes an increased incidence of hate crimes.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://apnews.com/7d0949974b1648a2bb592cab1f85aa16 |title=Trump words linked to more hate crime? Some experts think so |last1=Kunzelman |first1=Michael |last2=Galvan |first2=Astrid |date=August 7, 2019 |website=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/03/22/trumps-rhetoric-does-inspire-more-hate-crimes/ |title=Analysis &#124; Counties that hosted a 2016 Trump rally saw a 226 percent increase in hate crimes |website=] |first1=Ayal |last1=Feinberg |first2=Regina |last2=Branton |first3=Valerie |last3=Martinez-Ebers}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |journal=] |last1=Rushin |first1=Stephen |last2=Edwards |first2=Griffin Sims |date=January 14, 2018 |title=The Effect of President Trump's Election on Hate Crimes |ssrn=3102652}}</ref> During the 2016 campaign, he sometimes urged or praised physical attacks against protesters or reporters.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://time.com/4203094/donald-trump-hecklers/ |title=Donald Trump Tells Crowd To "Knock the Crap Out Of" Hecklers |last=White |first=Daniel |date=February 1, 2016 |website=] |access-date=August 9, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/claudiakoerner/trump-gianforte-congressman-assault-journalist-montana |title=Trump Thinks It's Totally Cool That A Congressman Assaulted A Journalist For Asking A Question |last=Koerner |first=Claudia |date=October 18, 2018 |website=] |access-date=August 9, 2019}}</ref> Since then, some individuals or their attorneys have cited Trump's rhetoric as a defense for their hate speech or violent actions.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2019/08/donald-trump-domestic-terrorism-el-paso |title="The President of the United States Says It's Okay": The Rise of the Trump Defense |last=Tracy |first=Abigail |date=August 8, 2019 |website=]}}</ref> In August 2019 it was reported that a man who allegedly assaulted a minor for perceived disrespect toward the national anthem had cited Trump's rhetoric in his own defense.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/juliareinstein/national-anthem-assault-curt-brockway-wally-trump-boy-rodeo |title=Trump's "Rhetoric" Inspired This Man To Assault A 13-Year-Old For Wearing A Hat During The Anthem, His Lawyer Said |last=Reinstein |first=Julia |date=August 8, 2019 |website=] |access-date=August 9, 2019}}</ref> It was also reported in August 2019 that a nationwide review conducted by ABC News had identified at least 36 criminal cases where Trump was invoked in direct connection with violence or threats of violence. Of these, 29 were based around someone echoing presidential rhetoric, while the other seven were someone protesting it or not having direct linkage.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/blame-abc-news-finds-17-cases-invoking-trump/story?id=58912889 |title='No Blame?' ABC News finds 36 cases invoking 'Trump' in connection with violence, threats, alleged assaults. |date=August 14, 2019 |first=Mike |last=Levine |publisher=] |access-date=August 16, 2019}}</ref>

=== Popular culture ===

{{Main|Donald Trump in popular culture|Donald Trump in music}}

Trump has been the subject of comedians, ] cartoon artists, and online caricature artists. He has been parodied regularly on ] by ], ], and ], and in '']'' as ]. '']'' episode "]", written during his ], anticipated a future Trump presidency. A dedicated parody series called '']'' debuted in April 2017 on ], while another one called '']'' debuted on ] in February 2018.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2017/04/donald-trump-impression-gets-a-comedy-central-show/521718/ |title='Donald Trump' Gets a Comedy Central Series |first=Megan |last=Garber |work=] |date=April 3, 2017 |accessdate=April 4, 2017}}</ref>

Trump's wealth and lifestyle had been a fixture of ] lyrics since the 1980s, as he was named in hundreds of songs, most often in a positive tone.<ref name=538-hiphop /><ref>{{cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3PDW6g1ceU |title=25 years of Donald Trump mentions in hip hop |via=YouTube |author=mantolius |date=February 25, 2016 |accessdate=November 15, 2016}}</ref> Mentions of Trump turned negative and pejorative after he ran for office in 2015.<ref name=538-hiphop>{{cite news |url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/clinton-trump-hip-hop-lyrics |title=Hip-Hop Is Turning On Donald Trump |work=] |date=July 14, 2016 |first=Allison |last=McCann}}</ref>

=== Recognition ===

{{Further|List of honors and awards received by Donald Trump}}

In 1983, Trump received the ], after he helped fund two playgrounds, a park, and a reservoir in Israel.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/.premium-inside-donald-trump-s-history-of-donations-in-israel-1.5469673 |title=Inside Donald Trump's History of Donations in Israel |newspaper=] |first=Judy |last=Maltz |date=May 9, 2017 |access-date=October 13, 2019}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite news |first=Judy |last=Maltz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-when-trump-helped-resettle-evacuated-israelis-1.5468499 |title=Trump Once Helped Finance Resettlement of Israelis Evacuated From Sinai |date=May 4, 2017 |newspaper=]}}</ref> In 1986, he received the ] in recognition of "patriotism, tolerance, brotherhood and diversity",<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.snopes.com/trump-received-ellis-island-award-in-1986/ |title=Did Donald Trump Receive an Ellis Island Award in 1986? |first=Dan |last=Evon |date=September 5, 2016 |website=]}}</ref> and in 1995 was awarded the President's Medal from the ] for his support of youth programs.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28799230/the_philadelphia_inquirer/ |title=Trump to be honored for working with youths |date=May 25, 1995 |work=]}}</ref> He has been awarded five honorary doctorates, but one was revoked by ] in 2015 after Trump called for a Muslim ban, citing Trump's speech being "wholly incompatible{{nbsp}}... with the ethos and values of the university". The remaining awards are ]'s honorary doctorate of laws in 1988, ]'s honorary doctorate of humane letters in 2004, and ]'s honorary doctorates of business and law in 2012 and 2017 respectively.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/05/13/trump-has-now-been-awarded-five-honorary-doctorates-and-stripped-of-one/ |title=Donald Trump has now been awarded five honorary doctorates – and stripped of one |date=May 14, 2017 |website=] |first=Callum |last=Borchers |accessdate=June 5, 2020}}</ref>

In December 2016, '']'' named Trump as its "]",<ref name=PersonYear>{{cite news |last=Gibbs |first=Nancy |authorlink=Nancy Gibbs |title=Why Donald Trump is TIME's Person of the Year |url=https://time.com/time-person-of-the-year-2016-donald-trump-choice/ |accessdate=December 7, 2016 |work=] |date=December 7, 2016}}</ref> but Trump took issue with the magazine for referring to him as the "President of the Divided States of America".<ref>{{cite news |last=Kim |first=Eun Kyung |title=Donald Trump: Mitt Romney is still in the running for secretary of state |url=https://www.today.com/news/donald-trump-mitt-romney-still-running-secretary-state-t105685 |accessdate=December 7, 2016 |work=] |date=December 7, 2016}}</ref> In the same month, he was named '']'' ]<ref name="FT 2016">{{cite news |last=Luce |first=Edward |authorlink=Edward Luce |title=FT Person of the Year: Donald Trump |url=https://www.ft.com/content/b7bb61ec-c054-11e6-81c2-f57d90f6741a |accessdate=December 17, 2017 |work=] |date=December 12, 2016}}</ref> and was ranked by '']'' the ] after ].<ref>{{cite news |title=The World's Most Powerful People |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidewalt/2016/12/14/the-worlds-most-powerful-people-2016/ |newspaper=] |date=December 2016 |accessdate=December 14, 2016}}</ref> As president, Trump received the ] from Saudi Arabia in 2017.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/donald-trump-latest-saudi-arabia-highest-civilian-honour-king-abdulaziz-al-saud-collar-gold-a7746566.html |title=Donald Trump awarded with Saudi Arabia's highest civilian honour within hours of landing in the country |last1=Wilts |first1=Alexandra |date=May 20, 2017 |work=]|access-date=May 20, 2017}}</ref>

== Investigations ==

{{Further2
|Timeline of investigations into Trump and Russia (<!--
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The ] FBI investigation into possible links between Russia and the Trump campaign was launched in mid-2016 during the campaign season. Since he assumed the presidency, Trump has been the subject of increasing Justice Department and congressional scrutiny, with investigations covering his election campaign, transition and inauguration, actions taken during his presidency, along with his ], personal taxes, and ].<ref name="AP2018-12-16">{{cite news |last1=Woodward |first1=Calvin |last2=Pace |first2=Julie |title=Scope of investigations into Trump has shaped his presidency |url=https://apnews.com/6d6361fdf19846cb9eb020d9c6fbfa5a |accessdate=December 19, 2018 |website=] |date=December 16, 2018}}</ref> ''The New York Times'' reported in May 2019 that there were 29 open investigations of Trump, including ten federal criminal investigations, eight state and local investigations, and eleven Congressional investigations.<ref name="NYT_Inv">{{cite news |last1=Buchanan |first1=Larry |last2=Yourish |first2=Karen |title=Tracking 29 Investigations Related to Trump |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/05/13/us/politics/trump-investigations.html |accessdate=June 9, 2019 |work=] |date=May 23, 2019}}</ref>

=== Hush payments ===

{{Main|Stormy Daniels–Donald Trump scandal}}
{{See also|Legal affairs of Donald Trump#Payments related to alleged affairs|Karen McDougal#Alleged affair with Donald Trump}}
] in 2010]]

] (AMI) paid $150,000 to '']'' model ] in August 2016,<ref name="WSJT">{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/national-enquirer-shielded-donald-trump-from-playboy-models-affair-allegation-1478309380 |title=National Enquirer Shielded Donald Trump From Playboy Model's Affair Allegation |last1=Palazzolo |first1=Joe |last2=Rothfeld |first2=Michael |last3=Alpert |first3=Lukas |newspaper=] |date=November 4, 2016 |access-date=February 17, 2018}}</ref> and Trump's attorney ] paid $130,000 to ] ] in October 2016.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43334326 |title=Why the Stormy Daniels-Donald Trump story matters |last=Luckhurst |first=Toby |work=] |date=May 3, 2018}}</ref> Both women were paid for ]s regarding their alleged affairs with Trump between 2006 and 2007.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2018/08/21/how-the-campaign-finance-charges-against-michael-cohen-may-implicate-trump |title=How the campaign finance charges against Michael Cohen implicate Trump |newspaper=] |first=Philip |last=Bump |date=August 21, 2018 |access-date=July 25, 2019}}</ref> Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to breaking campaign finance laws, saying he had arranged both payments at the direction of Trump in order to influence the presidential election.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/74aaf72511d64fceb1d64529207bde64 |title=Cohen pleads guilty, implicates Trump in hush-money scheme |last1=Neumeister |first1=Larry |last2=Hays |first2=Tom |date=August 22, 2018 |website=]}}</ref> AMI admitted paying McDougal to prevent publication of stories that might damage Trump's electoral chances.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/prosecutors-media-company-admitted-it-paid-off-playboy-model-to-protect-trump-before-election/ |title=National Enquirer owner admits to paying off Playboy model to protect Trump |last1=Watson |first1=Kathryn |website=] |accessdate=July 22, 2019}}</ref> Trump denied the affairs, and claimed he was not aware of Cohen's payment to Daniels, but reimbursed him in 2017.<ref name="Nelson">{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/03/07/trump-stormy-daniels-payment-444133 |title=White House on Stormy Daniels: Trump 'denied all these allegations' |last=Nelson |first=Louis |date=March 7, 2018 |work=] |accessdate=March 16, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/08/22/trump-insists-learned-michael-cohen-payments-later-on-in-fox-friends-exclusive.html |title=Trump insists he learned of Michael Cohen payments 'later on', in 'Fox & Friends' exclusive |last=Singman |first=Brooke |accessdate=August 23, 2018 |website=] |date=August 22, 2018}}</ref> Federal prosecutors asserted that Trump had been involved in discussions regarding non-disclosure payments as early as 2014.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/federal-prosecutors-recommend-substantial-prison-term-for-former-trump-lawyer-michael-cohen/2018/12/07/e144f248-f7f3-11e8-8c9a-860ce2a8148f_story.html |title=Court filings directly implicate Trump in efforts to buy women's silence, reveal new contact between inner circle and Russian |newspaper=] |last1=Barrett |first1=Devlin |last2=Zapotosky |first2=Matt |date=December 7, 2018 |access-date=December 7, 2018}}</ref> Court documents showed that the FBI believed Trump was directly involved in the payment to Daniels, based on calls he had with Cohen in October 2016.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-cohen/documents-detail-trump-teams-efforts-to-arrange-payment-to-porn-star-idUSKCN1UD18D |title=FBI documents point to Trump role in hush money for porn star Daniels |last1=Allen |first1=Jonathan |last2=Stempel |first2=Jonathan |work=] |date=July 18, 2019 |access-date=July 22, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.apnews.com/2d4138abfd0b4e71a63c94d3203e435a |title=Records detail frenetic effort to bury stories about Trump |last1=Mustian |first1=Jim |website=] |date=July 19, 2019 |access-date=July 22, 2019}}</ref> In July 2019, a federal judge disclosed that prosecutors had stated in a court filing they had closed the investigation,<ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=July 19, 2019 |first=Jim |last=Mustian |title=Why no hush-money charges against Trump? Feds are silent |url=https://apnews.com/0543a381b39a42d09c27567274477983}}</ref> but days later the ] subpoenaed the Trump Organization and AMI for records related to the hush payments<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/01/nyregion/trump-cohen-stormy-daniels-vance.html |title=Manhattan D.A. Subpoenas Trump Organization Over Stormy Daniels Hush Money |first1=Ben |last1=Protess |first2=William K. |last2=Rashbaum |newspaper=] |date=August 1, 2019 |access-date=August 2, 2019}}</ref> and in August subpoenaed eight years of tax returns for Trump and the Trump Organization.<ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=September 16, 2019 |first1=William K. |last1=Rashbaum |first2=Ben |last2=Protess |title=8 Years of Trump Tax Returns Are Subpoenaed by Manhattan D.A. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/16/nyregion/trump-tax-returns-cy-vance.html}}</ref>

=== Russian interference ===

{{Main|Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections}}
{{See also|Links between Trump associates and Russian officials|Steele dossier|Trump-Ukraine scandal}}

In January 2017, American intelligence agencies{{snd}}the ], the ], and the ], represented by the ]{{snd}}jointly stated with "]" that the Russian government interfered in the 2016 presidential election to favor the election of Trump.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/06/us/politics/trump-russia-intelligence-agencies-cia-fbi-nsa.html |title=Trump Misleads on Russian Meddling: Why 17 Intelligence Agencies Don't Need to Agree |last=Rosenberg |first=Matthew |authorlink=Matthew Rosenberg |date=July 6, 2017 |work=]}}</ref><ref name="Declassified Report">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/01/06/us/politics/document-russia-hacking-report-intelligence-agencies.html |title=Intelligence Report on Russian Hacking |date=January 6, 2017 |work=] |accessdate=January 8, 2017 |page=ii |quote=We assess Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the U.S. presidential election. Russia's goals were to undermine public faith in the U.S. democratic process, denigrate Secretary ], and harm her electability and potential presidency. We further assess Putin and the Russian Government developed a clear preference for President-elect Trump. We have high confidence in these judgments.}}</ref> In March 2017, FBI Director ] told Congress "the FBI, as part of our counterintelligence mission, is investigating the Russian government's efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election. That includes investigating the nature of any links between individuals associated with the Trump campaign and the Russian government, and whether there was any coordination between the campaign and Russia's efforts."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/03/its-official-the-fbi-is-investigating-trumps-links-to-russia/520134/ |title=It's Official: The FBI Is Investigating Trump's Links to Russia |last=Berman |first=Russell |date=March 20, 2017 |work=] |accessdate=June 7, 2017}}</ref>

The connections between Trump associates and Russia have been widely reported by the press.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/dec/13/donald-trump-russia-vladimir-putin-us-election-hack |title=Trump's relationship with Russia – what we know and what comes next |last=McCarthy |first=Tom |date=December 13, 2016 |work=] |accessdate=March 11, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2017/03/03/the-web-of-relationships-between-team-trump-and-russia/ |title=The web of relationships between Team Trump and Russia |last=Bump |first=Philip |date=March 3, 2017 |work=] |accessdate=March 11, 2017}}</ref> One of Trump's campaign managers, ], had worked from December 2004 until February 2010 to help pro-Russian politician ] win the Ukrainian presidency.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/08/19/paul-manaforts-complicated-ties-to-ukraine-explained/ |title=Paul Manafort's complicated ties to Ukraine, explained |last=Phillips |first=Amber |date=August 19, 2016 |work=] |accessdate=June 14, 2017}}</ref> Other Trump associates, including former National Security Advisor ] and political consultant ], have been connected to Russian officials.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Risen |first1=James |title=Roger Stone Made His Name as a Dirty Trickster, but the Trump-Russia Cover-Up May Finally Bring Him Down |url=https://theintercept.com/2019/01/26/roger-stone-made-his-name-as-a-dirty-trickster-but-the-trump-russia-coverup-may-finally-bring-him-down/ |work=] |date=January 26, 2019}}</ref><ref name="many">{{cite news |url=https://time.com/4433880/donald-trump-ties-to-russia/ |title=Donald Trump's Many, Many, Many, Many Ties to Russia |last=Nesbit |first=Jeff |date=August 15, 2016 |work=] |accessdate=February 28, 2017}}</ref> Russian agents were overheard during the campaign saying they could use Manafort and Flynn to influence Trump.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/335035-nyt-russians-discussed-using-manafort-flynn-to-influence-trump |title=NYT: Russians discussed using Manafort, Flynn to influence Trump |last=Williams |first=Katie Bo |date=May 24, 2017 |work=] |accessdate=May 28, 2017}}</ref>
Members of Trump's campaign and later his White House staff, particularly Flynn, were in contact with Russian officials both before and after the November election.<ref>{{cite news |title=We Still Don't Know What Happened Between Trump and Russia |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/11/we-still-dont-know-what-happened-between-trump-and-russia/602116/ |work=] |date=November 15, 2019 |first=David A. |last=Graham}}</ref><ref name="Reuters2">{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-contacts-idUSKCN18E106 |title=Exclusive: Trump campaign had at least 18 undisclosed contacts with Russians: sources |last1=Parker |first1=Ned |last2=Landay |first2=Jonathan |last3=Strobel |first3=Warren |date=May 18, 2017 |accessdate=May 19, 2017 |work=]}}</ref> On December 29, 2016, Flynn talked with Russian Ambassador ] about sanctions that had been imposed the same day; Flynn later resigned in the midst of controversy over whether he misled Pence.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/02/13/politics/michael-flynn-white-house-national-security-adviser/ |title=Flynn resigns amid controversy over Russia contacts |last1=Murray |first1=Sara |author1link=Sara Murray (journalist) |last2=Borger |first2=Gloria |author2link=Gloria Borger |last3=Diamond |first3=Jeremy |author3link=Jeremy Diamond (journalist) |date=February 14, 2017 |accessdate=March 2, 2017 |website=]}}</ref> ''The Washington Post'' reported that Trump had told Kislyak and ] in May 2017 he was unconcerned about Russian interference in U.S. elections.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/trump-told-russian-officials-in-2017-he-wasnt-concerned-about-moscows-interference-in-us-election/2019/09/27/b20a8bc8-e159-11e9-b199-f638bf2c340f_story.html |title=Trump told Russian officials in 2017 he wasn't concerned about Moscow's interference in U.S. election |website=] |date=September 26, 2019 |first1=Shane |last1=Harris |author1link=Shane Harris |first2=Josh |last2=Dawsey |author2link=Josh Dawsey |first3=Ellen |last3=Nakashima |author3link=Ellen Nakashima}}</ref>

Trump and his allies have promoted ] that Ukraine, rather than Russia, interfered in the 2016 election{{snd}}which has also been promoted by Russia in an effort to ] Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/22/us/politics/ukraine-russia-interference.html |title=Charges of Ukrainian Meddling? A Russian Operation, U.S. Intelligence Says |first1=Julian E. |last1=Barnes |first2=Matthew |last2=Rosenberg |author2link=Matthew Rosenberg |date=November 22, 2019 |work=]}}</ref> After the ] was hacked, Trump firstly claimed it withheld "its server" from the FBI (in actuality there were more than 140 servers, of which digital copies were given to the FBI); secondly that ], the company which investigated the servers, was Ukraine-based and Ukrainian-owned (in actuality, CrowdStrike is U.S.-based, with the largest owners being American companies); and thirdly that "the server" was hidden in Ukraine. Members of the Trump administration have spoken out against the conspiracy theories.<ref>{{cite news |last=Pelley |first=Scott |authorlink=Scott Pelley |title=Why President Trump asked Ukraine to look into a DNC "server" and CrowdStrike |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-crowdstrike-ukraine-server-conspiracy-theory-60-minutes-2020-02-16/ |accessdate=February 18, 2020 |work=] |date=February 16, 2020}}</ref>

=== Special counsel investigation ===

{{Main|Special Counsel investigation (2017–2019)|Mueller Report}}
] version of the '']'' released by the ] on April 18, 2019]]

On May 17, 2017, former ] ] appointed ], a former ], to serve as ] for the ] (DOJ) investigating "any links and/or coordination between Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump, and any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation",<ref name="Mueller_Report">{{cite web |publisher=U.S. Department of Justice |date=March 2019 |first=Robert S. III |last=Mueller |title=Report On The Investigation Into Russian Interference In The 2016 Presidential Election |url=https://www.justice.gov/storage/report.pdf |quote=The Russian government interfered in the 2016 presidential election in sweeping and systematic fashion. In connection with that analysis, we addressed the factual question whether members of the Trump Campaign 'coordinat'{{snd}}a term that appears in the appointment order{{snd}}with Russian election interference activities. Like collusion, 'coordination' does not have a settled definition in federal criminal law. We understood coordination to require an agreement{{snd}}tacit or express{{snd}}between the Trump Campaign and the Russian government on election interference. That requires more than the two parties taking actions that were informed by or responsive to the other's actions or interests. We applied the term coordination in that sense when stating in the report that the investigation did not establish that the Trump Campaign coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities.}}</ref><ref name="Rosenstein_5/17/2017"/> thus taking over the existing "]" FBI investigation into the matter.<ref name="Rosenstein_5/17/2017">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/05/17/us/politics/document-Robert-Mueller-Special-Counsel-Russia.html |title=Rod Rosenstein's Letter Appointing Mueller Special Counsel |last=Rosenstein |first=Rod |date=May 17, 2017 |website=] |accessdate=May 18, 2017}}</ref> The special counsel also investigated whether Trump's ] as FBI director constituted obstruction of justice, and possible campaign ties to other national governments.<ref name=Vitkovskaya>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/06/15/the-president-is-under-investigation-for-obstruction-of-justice-how-did-we-get-here/ |title=Trump Is Officially under Investigation. How Did We Get Here? |work=] |last=Vitkovskaya |first=Julie |date=June 16, 2017 |accessdate=June 16, 2017 |quote=Trump is officially under investigation{{nbsp}}... Special counsel investigating Trump for possible obstruction of justice&nbsp;... The president is being investigated&nbsp;...}}</ref> Trump repeatedly denied any collusion between his campaign and the Russian government.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bump |first=Philip |title=Analysis {{!}} Trump and the White House have denied Russian collusion more than 140 times |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2018/01/11/trump-and-the-white-house-have-denied-russian-collusion-more-than-140-times/ |work=] |date=January 11, 2018}}</ref> Mueller also investigated the Trump campaign's possible ties to ], the ], ], ], ], and ].<ref>{{cite news |first=Joshua |last=Keating |authorlink=Joshua Keating |title=It's Not Just a "Russia" Investigation Anymore |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/03/mueller-investigation-spreads-to-qatar-israel-uae-china-turkey.html |work=] |date=March 8, 2018}}</ref>

Trump sought to fire Mueller on several occasions{{snd}}in June 2017, December 2017, and April 2018{{snd}}and close the investigation but backed down after his staff objected or after changing his mind.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Haberman |first1=Maggie |author1link=Maggie Haberman |last2=Schmidt |first2=Michael S. |author2link=Michael S. Schmidt |title=Trump Sought to Fire Mueller in December |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/10/us/politics/trump-sought-to-fire-mueller-in-december.html |work=] |date=April 10, 2018}}</ref> He bemoaned the recusal of his first Attorney General Jeff Sessions regarding Russia matters, and believed Sessions should have stopped the investigation.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-sessions-twitter-stop-rigged-witch-hunt/story?id=56962100 |title=Trump to Sessions: Shut down Russia probe |last1=Keneally |first1=Meghan |last2=Mallin |first2=Alexander |date=August 1, 2018 |website=] |accessdate=August 1, 2018}}</ref>

On March 22, 2019, Mueller concluded his investigation and gave ] to Attorney General William Barr.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/22/robert-mueller-submits-special-counsels-russia-probe-report-to-attorney-general-william-barr.html |title=Mueller probe ends: Special counsel submits Russia report to Attorney General William Barr |last=Breuninger |first=Kevin |date=March 22, 2019 |website=] |access-date=March 22, 2019}}</ref> On March 24, Barr sent ] to Congress summarizing the "principal conclusions" in the report. He quoted Mueller as stating "while this report does not conclude that the President committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him." Barr further wrote that he and Rosenstein did not see sufficient evidence to prove obstruction of justice.<ref name=Pramuk>{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/24/attorney-general-william-barr-to-release-mueller-russia-probe-findings.html |title=Trump did not collude with Russia, says Mueller, and is cleared of obstruction by the attorney general |first1=Jacob |last1=Pramuk |first2=Spencer |last2=Kimball |date=March 24, 2019 |website=] |access-date=March 24, 2019}}</ref> Trump interpreted Mueller's report as a "complete exoneration", a phrase he repeated multiple times in the ensuing weeks.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-47687956/mueller-report-a-complete-exoneration-donald-trump |title=Mueller report a 'complete exoneration' – Donald Trump |date=March 24, 2019 |work=] |accessdate=June 1, 2019}}</ref> Mueller privately complained to Barr on March 27 that his summary did not accurately reflect what the report said,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/mueller-complained-that-barrs-letter-did-not-capture-context-of-trump-probe/2019/04/30/d3c8fdb6-6b7b-11e9-a66d-a82d3f3d96d5_story.html |title=Mueller complained that Barr's letter did not capture 'context' of Trump probe |first1=Devlin |last1=Barrett |first2=Matt |last2=Zapotosky |date=April 30, 2019 |website=] |access-date=May 30, 2019}}</ref> and some legal analysts called the Barr letter misleading.<ref name="testcomm2">{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/04/19/mueller-report-analysis-legal-experts-226662 |title=The Surprises in the Mueller Report |date=April 19, 2019 |website=]}}</ref>

A redacted version of the report was released to the public on April 18, 2019. The first volume found that Russia interfered to favor Trump's candidacy and hinder Clinton's.<ref name=AFPpoints>{{cite news |title=Main points of Mueller report |url=https://www.afp.com/en/news/15/main-points-mueller-report-doc-1fr5vv1 |website=] |accessdate=April 20, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420143436/https://www.afp.com/en/news/15/main-points-mueller-report-doc-1fr5vv1 |archivedate=April 20, 2019}}</ref> Despite "numerous links between the Russian government and the Trump campaign", the prevailing evidence "did not establish" that Trump campaign members conspired or coordinated with Russian interference.<ref name="GlobeGraphic">{{cite news |last1=Ostriker |first1=Rebecca |last2=Puzzanghera |first2=Jim |last3=Finucane |first3=Martin |last4=Datar |first4=Saurabh |last5=Uraizee |first5=Irfan |last6=Garvin |first6=Patrick |title=What the Mueller report says about Trump and more |url=https://apps.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/graphics/2019/03/mueller-report/ |website=] |accessdate=April 22, 2019}}</ref><ref name="TIMErelease">{{cite news |last=Law |first=Tara |title=Here Are the Biggest Takeaways From the Mueller Report |date=April 18, 2019 |url=http://time.com/5567077/mueller-report-release/ |work=] |accessdate=April 22, 2019}}</ref> The report states that Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election was illegal and occurred "in sweeping and systematic fashion",<ref name="Mueller_Report"/> and it details how Trump and his campaign welcomed and encouraged foreign interference believing they would politically benefit.<ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=July 24, 2019 |first=Mark |last=Mazzetti |authorlink=Mark Mazzetti |title=Mueller Warns of Russian Sabotage and Rejects Trump's 'Witch Hunt' Claims |accessdate=March 4, 2020 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/24/us/politics/trump-mueller-testimony.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=April 19, 2019 |first=Lucien |last=Bruggeman |title=What did the Mueller report reveal about Trump's overtures to the Russians? |accessdate=March 4, 2020 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/mueller-report-reveal-trumps-overtures-russians/story?id=62511529}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=May 30, 2019 |last=Bump |first=Philip |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/05/30/trump-briefly-acknowledges-that-russia-aided-his-election-falsely-says-he-didnt-help-effort/ |accessdate=March 5, 2020 |title=Trump briefly acknowledges that Russia aided his election – and falsely says he didn't help the effort |quote=Mueller's investigation bolstered those findings and demonstrated ways in which Trump and his campaign aided or encouraged those interference efforts, even if unwittingly.}}</ref>

The second volume of the Mueller Report dealt with possible obstruction of justice by Trump.<ref name="WaPoLays">{{cite news |last1=Barrett |first1=Devlin |last2=Zapotosky |first2=Matt |title=Mueller report lays out obstruction evidence against the president |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/attorney-general-to-provide-overview-of-mueller-report-at-news-conference-before-its-release/2019/04/17/8dcc9440-54b9-11e9-814f-e2f46684196e_story.html |work=] |date=April 17, 2019 |accessdate=April 20, 2019}}</ref> The report did not exonerate Trump of obstruction inasmuch as investigators were not confident of his innocence after examining his intent and actions.<ref name="FactCheck11">{{Cite news |url=https://www.factcheck.org/2019/04/what-the-mueller-report-says-about-obstruction/ |title=What the Mueller Report Says About Obstruction |last1=Farley |first1=Robert |last2=Robertson |first2=Lori |last3=Gore |first3=D'Angelo |last4=Spencer |first4=Saranac Hale |last5=Fichera |first5=Angelo |last6=McDonald |first6=Jessica |date=April 19, 2019 |website=] |access-date=April 22, 2019}}</ref> Investigators decided they could not "apply an approach that could potentially result in a judgment that the President committed crimes", as they could not indict a sitting president per an ] (OLC) opinion, and would not accuse him of a crime when he cannot clear his name in court.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/live-news/robert-mueller-statement-today-report-investigation-trump-2016-election-live-updates-2019-05/ |title=Mueller: If it were clear president committed no crime, "we would have said so" |last=Segers |first=Grace |date=May 29, 2019 |work=] |accessdate=June 2, 2019}}</ref> The report concluded that Congress, having the authority to take action against a president for wrongdoing, "may apply the obstruction laws".<ref name=APdilemma>{{cite news |last=Mascaro |first=Lisa |title=Mueller drops obstruction dilemma on Congress |url=https://www.apnews.com/35829a2b010248f193d1efd00c4de7e5 |website=] |date=April 18, 2019 |accessdate=April 20, 2019}}</ref> Congress subsequently launched an ] following the ], albeit it ultimately did not press charges related to the Mueller investigation.

=== Associates ===

{{See also|Criminal charges brought in the Special Counsel investigation (2017–2019)}}

On August 21, 2018, former Trump campaign chairman ] was ] on eight felony counts of false tax filing and bank fraud.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/manafort-jury-suggests-it-cannot-come-to-a-consensus-on-a-single-count/2018/08/21/a2478ac0-a559-11e8-a656-943eefab5daf_story.html |title=Manafort convicted on eight counts; mistrial declared on ten others |last=Zapotosky |first=Matt |last2=Bui |first2=Lynh |last3=Jackman |first3=Tom |last4=Barrett |first4=Devlin |date=August 21, 2018 |newspaper=] |access-date=August 21, 2018}}</ref> Trump said he felt very badly for Manafort and praised him for resisting the pressure to make a deal with prosecutors, saying "Such respect for a brave man!" According to ], Trump's personal attorney, Trump had sought advice about pardoning Manafort but was counseled against it.<ref name="Leonnig823">{{cite news |last1=Leonnig |first1=Carol D. |author1link=Carol D. Leonnig |last2=Dawsey |first2=Josh |author2link=Josh Dawsey |date=August 23, 2018 |title=Trump sought his lawyers' advice weeks ago on possibility of pardoning Manafort, Giuliani says |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-sought-his-lawyers-advice-weeks-ago-on-possibility-of-pardoning-manafort-but-they-counseled-against-it-giuliani-says/2018/08/23/17dce5c6-a70a-11e8-8fac-12e98c13528d_story.html |work=] |access-date=August 23, 2018}}</ref>

On November 29, Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about Trump's 2016 attempts to reach a deal with Russia to build ]. Cohen said he had made the false statements on behalf of Trump, who was identified as "Individual-1" in the court documents.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/michael-cohen-trumps-former-lawyer-pleads-guilty-to-lying-to-congress/2018/11/29/5fac986a-f3e0-11e8-bc79-68604ed88993_story.html |title=Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer, pleads guilty to lying to Congress about Moscow project |date=November 29, 2018 |work=] |first1=Devlin |last1=Barrett |first2=Matt |last2=Zapotosky |first3=Rosalind S. |last3=Helderman |author3link=Rosalind Helderman |accessdate=December 12, 2018}}</ref>

The five Trump associates who have pleaded guilty or have been convicted in Mueller's investigation or related cases include Paul Manafort, deputy campaign manager ], foreign policy advisor ], Michael Flynn, and Michael Cohen.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mangan |first=Dan |title=Trump and Giuliani are right that 'collusion is not a crime.' But that doesn't matter for Mueller's probe |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/30/giuliani-is-right-collusion-isnt-a-crime-but-that-wont-help-trump.html |website=] |date=July 30, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author1=<!-- staff writers; no byline --> |title=Mueller investigation: No jail time sought for Trump ex-adviser Michael Flynn |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-46449950 |work=] |date=December 5, 2018}}</ref>

In February 2020, Trump campaign adviser ] was sentenced to over three years in jail, after being convicted of lying to Congress and witness tampering regarding his attempts to learn more about hacked Democratic emails during the 2016 election. The sentencing judge said Stone "was prosecuted for covering up for the president".<ref name=-200220>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/roger-stone-sentence-due-thursday-in-federal-court/2020/02/19/2e01bfc8-4c38-11ea-9b5c-eac5b16dafaa_story.html |title=Roger Stone sentenced to three years and four months in prison, as Trump predicts 'exoneration' for his friend |work=] |date=February 20, 2020 |accessdate=March 3, 2020}}</ref>

=== 2019 congressional investigation ===

In March 2019, the ] launched a broad investigation of Trump for possible obstruction of justice, corruption, and abuse of power.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.yahoo.com/house-judiciary-committee-launches-probe-191841170.html |title=House Judiciary Committee launches probe into possible obstruction by Trump |date=March 3, 2019 |accessdate=March 3, 2019 |website=]}}</ref> Committee chairman ] sent letters demanding documents to 81 individuals and organizations associated with Trump's presidency, business, and private life, saying it is "very clear that the president obstructed justice".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/03/house-panel-widen-trump-probe-request-documents-190303172658255.html |title=US: House panel to widen Trump probe, request documents |date=March 3, 2019 |accessdate=March 3, 2019 |website=]}}</ref><ref name="Fandos-190304">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/04/us/politics/trump-obstruction.html |title=With Sweeping Document Request, Democrats Launch Broad Trump Corruption Inquiry |last=Fandos |first=Nicholas |authorlink=Nicholas Fandos |date=March 4, 2019 |work=] |accessdate=March 6, 2019}}</ref> Three other committee chairmen wrote the White House and State Department requesting details of Trump's communications with Putin, including any efforts to conceal the content of those communications.<ref name="Fandos-190304" /> The White House refused to comply, asserting that presidential communications with foreign leaders are protected and confidential.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/21/politics/trump-putin-white-house-rejects/index.html |title=White House rejects Dem requests for info on Putin communications |last1=Herb |first1=Jeremy |date=March 21, 2019 |accessdate=March 21, 2019 |website=] |last2=Brown |first2=Pamela |author2link=Pamela Brown (journalist)}}</ref>

== Impeachment ==

{{Main|Impeachment inquiry into Donald Trump}}
{{See also|Trump–Ukraine scandal}}

Impeachment and trial is a process under the ] whereby the legislature can remove from office a president, cabinet member, judge, or other civil officer.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cole |first1=Jared P. |last2=Garvey |first2=Todd |title=Impeachment and Removal |url=https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R44260.pdf|work=Congressional Research Service |date=October 29, 2015 |access-date=January 25, 2020}}</ref> The ] investigates the case; if the House votes to bring charges, the officer is impeached. There is then a trial in the ] where a two-thirds vote is required to remove the person from office.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/articleii |title=Article 2, United States Constitution |publisher=]}}</ref>

=== Impeachment by the House of Representatives ===

{{Main|Impeachment of Donald Trump}}
] {{Nowrap|({{USBill|116|H. Res.|755}})}}, December&nbsp;18,&nbsp;2019]]

During much of Trump's presidency, Democrats were divided on the question of impeachment.<ref>{{cite news |title='Reluctant impeachment': Will Pelosi ever be swayed to go there? |first=Lindsey |last=McPherson |url=https://www.rollcall.com/news/congress/reluctant-impeachment-will-pelosi-ever-swayed-go |work=] |date=May 24, 2019}}</ref> Fewer than 20 representatives in the House supported impeachment by January 2019; after the Mueller Report was released in April and special counsel Robert Mueller testified in July, this number grew to around 140 representatives.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bump |first1=Philip |title=The most important number in the impeachment fight keeps getting smaller |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/09/24/most-important-number-impeachment-fight-right-now/ |accessdate=October 1, 2019 |work=] |date=September 25, 2019}}</ref>

In August 2019, a ] filed a complaint with the ] about a July 25 phone call between Trump and President of Ukraine ], during which Trump had pressured Zelensky to investigate ] and Democratic presidential primary candidate ] and his son ], adding that the White House had attempted to "lock down" the call records in a cover-up.<ref name="undermine">{{cite news |last1=Bump |first1=Philip |title=Trump wanted Russia's main geopolitical adversary to help undermine the Russian interference story |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/09/25/trump-wanted-russias-main-geopolitical-adversary-help-him-undermine-russian-interference-story/ |accessdate=October 1, 2019 |work=] |date=September 25, 2019}}</ref> The whistleblower further stated that the call was part of a wider pressure campaign by Giuliani and the Trump administration which may have included withholding financial aid from Ukraine in July 2019 and canceling Vice President Pence's May 2019 Ukraine trip.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/26/politics/whistleblower-complaint-released/index.html |title=Whistleblower says White House tried to cover up Trump's abuse of power |publisher=] |date=September 26, 2019 |access-date=September 26, 2019 |first1=Marshall |last1=Cohen |first2=Katelyn |last2=Polantz |first3=David |last3=Shortell}}</ref> Trump later confirmed having withheld military aid from Ukraine and offered contradicting reasons for the decision.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Forgey |first1=Quint |title=Trump changes story on withholding Ukraine aid |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/24/donald-trump-ukraine-military-aid-1509070 |accessdate=October 1, 2019 |work=] |date=September 24, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first1=John |last1=Wagner |first2=Felicia |last2=Sonmez |first3=Colby |last3=Itkowitz |title=Live updates: Top Democrat warns White House 'we're not fooling around' on impeachment inquiry |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-impeachment-whistleblower/2019/10/02/80df829a-e494-11e9-b403-f738899982d2_story.html |accessdate=October 2, 2019 |work=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kramer |first1=Andrew E. |title=Ukraine to Review Criminal Case on Owner of Firm Linked to Biden's Son |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/04/world/europe/ukraine-biden-burisma.html |accessdate=October 4, 2019 |work=] |date=October 4, 2019}}</ref>

After the whistleblower complaint became known in September 2019, House speaker ] initiated ] on September 24.<ref name="Fandos">{{cite news |work=] |date=September 24, 2019 |first=Nicholas |last=Fandos |authorlink=Nicholas Fandos |title=Nancy Pelosi Announces Formal Impeachment Inquiry of Trump |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/24/us/politics/democrats-impeachment-trump.html}}</ref><ref name="The Washington Post">{{cite news |last1=Rucker |first1=Philip |author1link=Philip Rucker |last2=Bade |first2=Rachael |last3=Costa |first3=Robert |author3link=Robert Costa (journalist) |title=Trump deflects and defies as Democrats speed up impeachment strategy |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-deflects-and-defies-as-democrats-speed-up-impeachment-strategy/2019/09/25/d73de84a-dfc9-11e9-b199-f638bf2c340f_story.html |accessdate=September 26, 2019 |work=] |date=September 25, 2019}}</ref> The Trump administration subsequently released a memorandum of the July 25 phone call, confirming that after Zelensky mentioned purchasing American anti-tank missiles, Trump asked Zelensky to investigate and to discuss these matters with Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani and Attorney General William Barr.<ref name="undermine"/><ref name="abcnews.go.com">{{cite news |last1=Santucci |first1=John |last2=Mallin |first2=Alexander |last3=Thomas |first3=Pierre |author3link=Pierre Thomas (journalist) |last4=Faulders |first4=Katherine |title=Trump urged Ukraine to work with Barr and Giuliani to probe Biden: Call transcript |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/transcript-trump-call-ukraine-includes-talk-giuliani-barr/story?id=65848768 |accessdate=October 1, 2019 |work=] |date=September 25, 2019}}</ref> According to the testimony of multiple administration officials and former officials, the events were part of a broader effort to further Trump's personal interests by giving him an advantage in the upcoming presidential election.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/newsgraphics/2019/09/24/whistleblower-complaint/assets/amp.html |title=Newsgraphics: Read The Whistleblower Complaint |date=September 24, 2019 |website=] |access-date=October 2, 2019}}</ref>

Among several State Department employees testifying to congressional committees in October 2019, ], the ], testified that soon after arriving in Ukraine in June 2019, he found that Zelensky was being subjected to pressure from a private initiative directed by Trump and led by Giuliani. According to Taylor and others, the goal was to coerce Zelensky into making a public commitment to investigate the company that employed Hunter Biden, as well as rumors about Ukrainian involvement in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/22/us/trump-impeachment-ukraine.html |title=Ukraine Envoy Testifies Trump Linked Military Aid to Investigations, Lawmaker Says |last1=Shear |first1=Michael D. |author1link=Michael D. Shear |last2=Fandos |first2=Nicholas |author2link=Nicholas Fandos |date=October 22, 2019 |work=] |access-date=October 22, 2019}}</ref> He said it was made clear that until Zelensky made such an announcement, the administration would not release scheduled military aid for Ukraine and not invite Zelensky to the White House.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/22/us/politics/william-taylor-testimony.html |title=6 Key Revelations of Taylor's Opening Statement to Impeachment Investigators |last=LaFraniere |first=Sharon |authorlink=Sharon LaFraniere |date=October 22, 2019 |work=] |access-date=October 23, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/22/william-taylor-ukraine-testimony-trump-054259 |title=William Taylor testifies about deep-seated push for Ukraine quid pro quo |last1=Cheney |first1=Kyle |author1link=Kyle Cheney (journalist) |last2=Desiderio |first2=Andrew |date=October 22, 2019 |website=] |access-date=October 22, 2019}}</ref> Zelensky denied that he felt pressured by Trump.<ref name="Zelensky Pressure">{{cite news |url=https://time.com/5686305/zelensky-ukraine-denies-trump-pressure/ |title='Nobody Pushed Me.' Ukrainian President Denies Trump Pressured Him to Investigate Biden's Son |last=Law |first=Tara |date=September 25, 2019 |work=] |access-date=November 20, 2019}}</ref>

On December 3, 2019, the ] published a report authored by Democrats on the committee, stating that "the impeachment inquiry has found that President Trump, personally and acting through agents within and outside of the U.S. government, solicited the interference of a foreign government, Ukraine, to benefit his reelection." The report said Trump withheld military aid and a White House invitation in order to influence Ukraine to announce investigations into Trump's political rivals. Furthermore, the report described Trump was the only U.S. president thus far to have "openly and indiscriminately" defied impeachment proceedings by telling his administration officials to ignore subpoenas for documents and testimony.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mascaro |first1=Lisa |last2=Jalonick |first2=Mary Clare |first3=Zeke |last3=Miller |first4=Colleen |last4=Long |first5=Eric |last5=Tucker |first6=Jill |last6=Colvin |agency=] |title=House Releases 300-Page Report Outlining Evidence for Trump's Impeachment |url=https://time.com/5743345/house-releases-trump-impeachment-report/ |accessdate=December 11, 2019 |work=] |date=December 3, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Weiland |first1=Noah |title=Impeachment Briefing: The Democratic Report |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/03/us/politics/impeachment-briefing-the-democratic-report.html |accessdate=December 11, 2019 |work=] |date=December 3, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Intel-Report">{{Cite web |url=https://intelligence.house.gov/uploadedfiles/the_trump-ukraine_impeachment_inquiry_report.pdf |title=Report of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Pursuant to H. Res. 660 in Consultation with the House Committee on Oversight and Reform and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs |date=December 3, 2019 |publisher=] |access-date=December 5, 2019}}</ref>{{Rp|8,208}} The Republicans of the House Committees had released a draft of a countering report the previous day, saying in part that the evidence "does not prove any of these Democrat allegations, and none of the Democrats' witnesses testified to having evidence of bribery, extortion, or any high crime or misdemeanor."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/12/02/house-gop-draft-report-defends-president-trump-impeachment-inquiry/2590245001/ |title=House GOP report on impeachment inquiry defends Trump's dealings with Ukraine |work=] |date=December 2, 2019 |accessdate=December 12, 2019 |first1=Bart |last1=Jansen |first2=Christal |last2=Hayes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/12/02/784183484/read-republican-report-on-the-impeachment-inquiry |title= Republican Report On The Impeachment Inquiry |work=]|date=December 2, 2019 |accessdate=December 12, 2019}}</ref>

On December 13, 2019, the House Judiciary Committee voted along party lines to pass two articles of impeachment: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.<ref name=Siegel>{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/house-judiciary-committee-set-vote-trump-impeachment-articles/story?id=67706093 |last1=Siegel |first1=Benjamin |last2=Faulders |first2=Katherine |title=House Judiciary Committee passes articles of impeachment against President Trump |date=December 13, 2019 |work=] |accessdate=December 13, 2019}}</ref> After debate, the House of Representatives impeached Trump with both articles on December 18.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gregorian |first1=Dareh |title=Trump impeached by the House for abuse of power, obstruction of Congress |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/trump-impeached-house-abuse-power-n1104196 |accessdate=December 18, 2019 |work=] |date=December 18, 2019}}</ref>

=== Impeachment trial in the Senate ===

{{Main|Impeachment trial of Donald Trump}}

The Senate impeachment trial began on January 16, 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last=Herb |first=Jeremy |title=Senate impeachment trial of Donald Trump officially begins |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/01/16/politics/senate-impeachment-trial-starts/index.html |accessdate=January 18, 2020 |website=] |date=January 16, 2020}}</ref> On January 22, the Republican Senate majority rejected amendments proposed by the Democratic minority to call witnesses and subpoena documents; evidence collected during the House impeachment proceedings will be entered into the Senate record automatically unless objected to on a case-by-case basis.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/senate-passes-mcconnell-impeachment-rules-after-nearly-13-hours-debate-n1119861 |title=Senate passes McConnell impeachment rules after nearly 13 hours of debate |work=] |first=Dareh |last=Gregorian |date=January 22, 2020 |accessdate=January 22, 2020}}</ref>

For three days, January 22–24, the impeachment managers for the House presented their case to the Senate. They cited evidence to support charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, and asserted that Trump's actions were exactly what the founding fathers had in mind when they included an impeachment process in the Constitution.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/democrats-detail-abuse-of-power-charge-against-trump-as-republicans-complain-of-repetitive-arguments/2020/01/23/3fb149b4-3e05-11ea-8872-5df698785a4e_story.html |title=Democrats detail abuse-of-power charge against Trump as Republicans complain of repetitive arguments |date=January 23, 2019 |work=] |accessdate=January 27, 2020 |first1=Seung Min |last1=Kim |author1link=Seung Min Kim |first2=John |last2=Wagner |first3=Karoun |last3=Demirjian |author3link=Karoun Demirjian}}</ref>

]
Responding over the next three days, the Trump legal team did not deny the facts as presented in the charges, but said Trump had not broken any laws or obstructed Congress.<ref name="brazen">{{cite news |work=] |date=January 22, 2020 |first1=Michael D. |last1=Shear |author1link=Michael D. Shear |first2=Nicholas |last2=Fandos |author2link=Nicholas Fandos |title=Trump's Defense Team Calls Impeachment Charges 'Brazen' as Democrats Make Legal Case |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/18/us/politics/house-trump-impeachment.html|access-date=January 30, 2020}}</ref> They argued that the impeachment was "constitutionally and legally invalid" because Trump was not charged with a crime, abuse of power is not an impeachable offense, and Trump therefore should be acquitted immediately.<ref name="brazen"/>

On January 31, the Senate voted against allowing subpoenas to call witnesses or documents; 51 Republicans formed the majority for this vote.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Herb |first1=Jeremy |last2=Mattingly |first2=Phil |last3=Raju |first3=Manu |author3link=Manu Raju |last4=Fox |first4=Lauren |title=Senate impeachment trial: Wednesday acquittal vote scheduled after effort to have witnesses fails |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/31/politics/senate-impeachment-trial-last-day/index.html |accessdate=February 2, 2020 |work=] |date=January 31, 2020}}</ref> Thus, this became the first impeachment trial in U.S. history without witness testimony.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bookbinder |first=Noah |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/01/09/senate-has-conducted-15-impeachment-trials-it-heard-witnesses-every-one/ |title=The Senate has conducted 15 impeachment trials. It heard witnesses in every one. |newspaper=] |date=January 9, 2020 |access-date=February 8, 2020}}</ref> On February 5, Trump was acquitted of both charges in a vote nearly along party lines, with Republican ] being the only senator{{snd}}and the only senator in U.S. history{{snd}}to cross party lines by voting to convict on one of the charges.<ref>{{cite news |last=Fandos |first=Nicholas |authorlink=Nicholas Fandos |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/05/us/politics/trump-acquitted-impeachment.html |title=Trump Acquitted of Two Impeachment Charges in Near Party-Line Vote |newspaper=] |date=February 5, 2020 |access-date=February 7, 2020}}</ref>

Following his acquittal, Trump began removing impeachment witnesses and political appointees and career officials he deemed insufficiently loyal.<ref>{{cite news |work=] |date=February 22, 2020 |first=Peter |last=Baker |authorlink=Peter Baker (journalist) |title=Trump's Efforts to Remove the Disloyal Heightens Unease Across His Administration |accessdate=February 22, 2020 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/22/us/politics/trump-disloyalty-turnover.html}}</ref>

== Notes ==

{{notelist}}

== References ==

{{reflist|30em}}

=== Works cited ===

<!-- This section is ONLY for books that are cited in footnotes of this Misplaced Pages article. -->
{{Refbegin|30em}}
* {{cite book |title=Trump: The Deals and the Downfall |last=Barrett |first=Wayne |authorlink=Wayne Barrett |publisher=] |year=2016 |orig-year=First published 1992 |edition=First Regan Art Paperback |isbn=978-1-682450-79-6}} Paperback title: ''The greatest show on Earth{{snd}}The deals, the downfall, the reinvention''.
* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ig1ZCgAAQBAJ |title=Donald Trump: The Candidate |last=Blair |first=Gwenda |authorlink=Gwenda Blair |publisher=] |year=2015a |isbn=978-1-4391-2937-1}}
* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uJifCgAAQBAJ |title=The Trumps: Three Generations That Built an Empire |last=Blair |first=Gwenda |authorlink=Gwenda Blair |publisher=] |year=2015b|orig-year=First published 2001 |isbn=978-1-5011-3936-9}}
* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G7Tf_1GzlHEC |title=The Gallup Poll: Public Opinion 1989 |last=Gallup |first=George Jr. |authorlink=George Gallup Jr. |publisher=] |year=1990 |isbn=978-0-8420-2344-3}}
* {{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/empire00mitc |url-access=registration |title=Empire: A Tale of Obsession, Betrayal, and the Battle for an American Icon |last=Pacelle |first=Mitchell |publisher=] |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-471-23865-2}}
* {{cite book |title=Trump Revealed: The Definitive Biography of the 45th President |last1=Kranish |first1=Michael |author1link=Michael Kranish |last2=Fisher |first2=Marc |author2link=Marc Fisher |publisher=] |year=2017 |orig-year=First published 2016 |isbn=978-1-5011-5652-6 |title-link=Trump Revealed}}
* {{cite book |title=Trumped! |last1=O'Donnell |first1=John R. |last2=Rutherford |first2=James |publisher=Crossroad Press Trade Edition |year=1991 |orig-year=First published 1991 |isbn=978-1946025-26-5 |title-link=Trumped! (book)}}
* {{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/trumpartofdeal0000trum |url-access=registration |title=Trump: The Art of the Deal |first1=Donald J. |last1=Trump |first2=Tony |last2=Schwartz |author2link=Tony Schwartz (author) |publisher=] |year=2009 |orig-year=First published 1987 |isbn=978-0-446-35325-0}}
* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NIPOonZnkDEC |title=Donald Trump: From Real Estate to Reality TV |last=Wooten |first=Sara |publisher=] |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-7660-2890-6}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==

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*
* on Twitter (personal)<!-- DO NOT CHANGE without prior consensus; see ], item 9. -->
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Latest revision as of 04:59, 30 June 2021

 

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