The presidency
2017–2021
President 45
2025–present
President 47
In his first presidency, Trump signed major tax changes and criminal-justice legislation, appointed three Supreme Court justices, and renegotiated North American trade arrangements. COVID-19 dominated his final year. After losing the 2020 election, he disputed the result; the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, became central to assessments of the transfer of power. He won the 2024 election and returned in 2025. His second administration signed a major tax and spending law and federal stablecoin legislation. In 2026, he participated in the commemoration of 250 years of American independence.
Second presidency in progress. Selected developments through September 23, 2026; this is not a final assessment.
Before the White House
Queens, New York
Born June 14, 1946.
Trump was born in Queens, New York, and entered his family’s real-estate business after studying at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. He expanded his public profile through property development, branding, and television. His 2016 election made him the first president with neither prior government office nor military service.
Key moments
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Born in Queens, New York
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Signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
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Signed the First Step Act.
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Helped broker the Abraham Accords.
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Returned for a nonconsecutive presidency.
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Signed a major tax and spending law.
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Marked 250 years of American independence.
Miller Center · Biography & facts ↗
Miller Center · Domestic affairs ↗
GovInfo · Public Law 119-21 ↗ · GovInfo · GENIUS Act ↗ · White House · Independence anniversary, 2026 ↗
Notable laws & actions
These entries distinguish laws, treaties, executive decisions, and proposals. Congress passes statutes; presidents sign or veto them. A president does not act alone.
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: first presidency
Lowered the federal corporate tax rate and made substantial changes to individual and business taxes.
First Step Act: first presidency
Changed aspects of federal sentencing and prison policy, including rehabilitation incentives.
Public Law 119-21: second presidency
Enacted a major package of tax and spending changes. Its effects unfold across different provisions and implementation dates.
GENIUS Act: second presidency
Established a federal framework for payment stablecoins. Enactment and implementation are distinct stages.
Miller Center · Domestic affairs ↗
Legacy
His judicial appointments, tax policies, and influence on the Republican Party are already consequential. A final assessment of his second presidency would be premature. This page separates completed actions from a legacy that is still developing.
Miller Center · Biography & facts ↗
Controversies
He repeatedly made claims that the 2020 election was stolen, was impeached twice and acquitted by the Senate, and drew criticism for his January 6 pardons after returning to office.
Miller Center · Domestic affairs ↗
In their words
“we all bleed the same red blood of patriots”First Inaugural Address · Quoted by the Miller Center ↗
This excerpt from Trump’s first inaugural address in 2017 appealed to a shared national identity.
Short excerpt; wording and capitalization follow the cited source.
Look closer
View image source record ↗
View image source record ↗
Test your knowledge
Try answering before opening each explanation.
Where was Donald Trump born?
Queens, New York.
When did this president serve?
2017–2021 · 2025–present.
What is one law or action associated with this presidency?
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: first presidency. Lowered the federal corporate tax rate and made substantial changes to individual and business taxes.
Why are there two presidential numbers?
The two presidencies were separated by another president’s time in office. Both numbers refer to the same person.
Sources & further reading
The linked biographies support the life history and policy summaries above. Quotations and image credits have their own source links.
- Miller Center · Biography & facts
- Miller Center · Domestic affairs
- Miller Center · Foreign affairs
- Miller Center · Life in brief
- GovInfo · Public Law 119-21
- GovInfo · GENIUS Act
- White House · Independence anniversary, 2026
- Portrait source record
Prepared September 23, 2026.