- Donald Trump is the 47th President of the United States, inaugurated January 20, 2025 — having won the 2024 presidential election with 312 Electoral College votes and the popular vote, making him the first president since Grover Cleveland to win non-consecutive terms.
- His first term (2017-2021) included the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, three Supreme Court appointments (Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, Barrett), and the Abraham Accords — as well as two impeachment trials in which he was acquitted by the Republican-controlled Senate.
- Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in New York in May 2024 — the first US president convicted of a crime — and faced three other criminal indictments related to January 6th, classified documents, and Georgia election interference.
- His 2024 victory followed an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania in July 2024 — in which he was grazed by a bullet while speaking at a rally — an event that produced the defining image of the 2024 campaign.
Biography
Donald John Trump was born on June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York City, the fourth of five children of Fred Trump, a real estate developer, and Mary Anne MacLeod Trump, a Scottish immigrant. He attended the New York Military Academy before transferring to Fordham University and ultimately graduating from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in economics in 1968.
Trump entered his father's real estate business and expanded it into Manhattan, developing properties including Trump Tower (1983) and a string of Atlantic City casinos that later went through multiple bankruptcies. He became a major celebrity figure, hosting the reality television show "The Apprentice" from 2004 to 2015, a platform that dramatically increased his name recognition with working-class and suburban audiences.
Trump announced his 2016 presidential candidacy on June 16, 2015, running on immigration restriction, trade protectionism, and a critique of "the establishment." His upset victory over Hillary Clinton — despite losing the popular vote by nearly 3 million ballots — shocked the political world and launched a new era in American politics.
His first term (2017–2021) was defined by major tax cuts, deregulation, three Supreme Court appointments (Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, Barrett), trade disputes with China, the COVID-19 pandemic response, and the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot following his refusal to accept the 2020 election results. He became the first president impeached twice by the House, but was acquitted by the Senate both times.
After losing to Joe Biden in 2020, Trump launched his 2024 comeback campaign from Mar-a-Lago in November 2022. He survived two assassination attempts in 2024, multiple federal and state criminal indictments, and extensive legal battles to defeat Kamala Harris in November 2024 with 312 electoral votes. He was inaugurated as the 47th President on January 20, 2025 — the first president to serve two non-consecutive terms since Grover Cleveland.
Key Second-Term Policy Positions
Trade & Tariffs
Trump's second term opened with sweeping tariff policy, including a 145% tariff on Chinese goods, 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, and a 10% baseline tariff on most global imports. He argues tariffs protect American manufacturing and generate revenue; critics say they function as a consumer tax and risk stagflation. See polling on tariffs.
Immigration
Trump signed executive orders on day one targeting birthright citizenship (challenged in courts), launching mass deportation operations via ICE and military deployments, and sealing the southern border. His administration has deported hundreds of thousands in the first year of his second term. See immigration polling.
Government & DOGE
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has targeted federal agencies with mass layoffs, contract cancellations and regulatory rollbacks. The administration claims billions in savings; federal courts have blocked several actions as exceeding executive authority. See DOGE polling.
Foreign Policy
Trump's second term has reassessed US commitments to NATO, paused military aid to Ukraine, withdrawn from the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization, and pursued direct negotiations with Russia. His approach is transactional rather than alliance-based, straining traditional partnerships while seeking bilateral deals.
Budget & Spending
Republicans are pursuing Medicaid, SNAP, and other social program cuts through budget reconciliation, which requires only 51 Senate votes. If enacted before November 2026, these cuts will be a central issue for Democrats in competitive races — especially in states like Ohio where Medicaid expansion has broad support.
Judiciary
Trump's three first-term Supreme Court appointments (Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, Barrett) created the 6-3 conservative majority that overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. In his second term, Trump will appoint federal judges at the appellate and district levels, shaping American jurisprudence for a generation on issues from executive power to gun rights.
2026 Midterm Relevance: What Trump's Numbers Mean
Trump's approval rating is the single most important variable in the 2026 midterm cycle. Historically, presidents below 50% approval heading into midterms see significant seat losses — an average of 37 House seats for presidents with sub-50% approval. Trump's current approval sits at 39% — well below the 50% threshold, suggesting Democrats have structural wind at their backs. Track his current numbers at our Trump approval tracker.
His tariff policy has become a central midterm issue. Republican candidates in suburban districts face difficult choices about whether to defend tariffs that polling shows are unpopular with swing voters, or distance themselves from the president. Democratic messaging is increasingly focused on economic impact: higher consumer prices, market volatility and recession risk. See how tariff polling breaks down by demographic.
The fate of Trump-era social spending cuts — particularly Medicaid reductions passed through budget reconciliation — will also define the 2026 battlefield. If cuts go into effect before November 2026, Democrats will campaign directly on healthcare protection, particularly in states like Ohio (which voted to expand Medicaid by ballot initiative in 2023) and Nevada.
Key Senate races where Trump's approval is the dominant variable include Ohio (Moreno), Pennsylvania (McCormick), Maine (Collins), and Alaska (Murkowski). Both Collins and Murkowski have maintained some independence from Trump, which may be their main re-election asset in blue-leaning states.
2024 Election Summary
| State | Trump % | Harris % | Margin | Swing from 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 51.8% | 47.3% | R +4.5 | R +5.7 |
| Michigan | 49.7% | 48.3% | R +1.4 | R +4.9 |
| Wisconsin | 49.6% | 48.9% | R +0.7 | R +3.4 |
| Arizona | 52.3% | 46.5% | R +5.8 | R +9.9 |
| Nevada | 50.4% | 47.1% | R +3.3 | R +5.5 |
| Georgia | 50.8% | 48.5% | R +2.3 | R +3.1 |
| North Carolina | 51.1% | 47.9% | R +3.2 | R +1.4 |
Trump won all seven major swing states in 2024, with particularly large swings in Pennsylvania (+5.7) and Nevada (+5.5) compared to 2020. His total of 312 electoral votes to Harris's 226 represented a decisive Electoral College win even though the popular vote margin was roughly 1.5 points.
Watch: Donald Trump 2024 Election Victory Speech
Donald Trump delivers his 2024 presidential election victory speech following his win over Kamala Harris, via USA Today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Donald Trump currently president?
Yes. Donald Trump is serving as the 47th President of the United States after winning the November 2024 election against Kamala Harris. He was inaugurated on January 20, 2025, serving his second non-consecutive term — the first to do so since Grover Cleveland (1885–1889 and 1893–1897).
What is Trump's approval rating in 2026?
Trump's approval rating currently sits at 39% (58% disapprove) — below the 50% threshold that historically predicts seat losses for the president's party in midterm elections. Key drags include tariff-driven economic anxiety, DOGE disruptions to federal services, and declining support among suburban college-educated voters. See our live approval tracker.
Can Trump run for president again in 2028?
No. The 22nd Amendment limits any person to two terms as president. Having served terms beginning in 2017 and 2025, Trump is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term. JD Vance is widely viewed as the leading candidate for the 2028 Republican nomination, followed by Ron DeSantis and other potential challengers.
How will Trump's approval rating affect the 2026 midterms?
Presidential approval is the strongest predictor of midterm outcomes. Presidents with sub-50% approval at midterm time average 37 House seat losses. Trump's current approval of 39% puts him firmly in that danger zone. If it stays below 47% through election day, Democrats have a strong structural advantage in competitive races. The main variables are tariff economic impact, Medicaid cuts, and whether Democrats nominate strong candidates in key districts. See the Generic Ballot for the broader congressional landscape.
What is DOGE and why is it controversial?
DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) is an advisory body led by Elon Musk tasked with cutting federal spending and eliminating bureaucracy. It has targeted agencies including the Department of Education, USAID, and federal regulatory bodies. Courts have blocked several DOGE actions as exceeding executive authority. Polling shows the public is split: supporters view it as necessary fiscal discipline; opponents argue it disrupts essential services and undermines democratic oversight. See our DOGE polling breakdown.
