Photo shows the remarkable transformation of an ordinary child into the globally acclaimed figure, widely recognized across the planet.
A golden-haired, twinkling-eyed toddler from Queens, New York, would go on to create a world of chaos and controversy, becoming one of the most divisive political figures in history – none other than the infamous US President Donald Trump.
Initially looking like your everyday adorable child, this photo of Trump as a toddler sparked a storm on social media,^{1} eliciting reactions ranging from "wonderful" to "the worst monster ever."^{2}
His humble beginnings see him born on June 14, 1946, to Scottish mother Mary Anne MacLeod and German-immigrant father Fred Trump, a successful real estate tycoon.^{3} Trump's childhood was a mix of Misspent days at the Kew-Forest School and the New York Military Academy,^{4} shaping him into the disciplined leader we know today. After a stint at Fordham University, he transferred to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics in 1968.^{5}
Some accounts indicate that Trump was a hyperactive child given to mischief and rebellion, sent to the military academy to squash his behavior.^{6} His father's success in business and drive to succeed certainly impacted his early years and future ambitions.^{7}
Harboring a keen interest in real estate from his days helping his father manage projects, Trump dove headfirst into the family business in 1968.^{8} His name quickly became synonymous with glitzy skyscrapers, opulent hotels, and flashy casinos transforming Manhattan's skyline.^{9} His lavish lifestyle, charismatic personality, and headline-grabbing antics made him a tabloid sensation throughout the 1980s and 1990s.^{10}
As his empire grew, so did his celebrity status. Trump penned the bestselling book The Art of The Deal in 1987 and rose to fame as the host of The Apprentice in 2004.^{11} By 1988, Forbes estimated his net worth to be approximately $1 billion.^{12}
From marrying his first wife Ivana in 1977 to his infamous affair with Marla Maples and subsequent divorce,^{13} Trump's personal life has always been a tabloid favorite. He later married Melania and had son Barron. Having built a real estate empire, stunned the world as a reality TV star, and finally, the President of the United States, Trump lives a life under the constant glare of public scrutiny.
As Trump celebrates his 79th birthday this month, the photograph of the US leader from his childhood has taken on a new meaning.
Notes:
- The Virginian-Pilot - https:// pilotsonline.com/adorable-baby-donald-trump-picture-surfaces/article_a8b3b73e-4da5-56de-a26d-12d7cd3ff038.html
- Business Insider - https://www.businessinsider.com/internet-reacts-to-trumps-childhood-photo-2017-6
- Biography - https://www.biography.com/political-leader/donald-trump
- ABC News - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-03/the-story-behind-donald-trumps-surprising- military-school-backgra/7235366
- Encyclopedia Britannica - https://www.britannica.com/biography/Donald-Trump
- Vanity Fair - https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/12/donald-trump-former-classmates-toxic-routines
- New York Times - https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/14/magazine/the-making-of-donald-trump.html
- Washington Post - https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2016/life-in-trump-tower-where-reality-tv-meets-the-real-world/2016/08/01/dd61386a-2149-11e6-81e1-61d420fa28d1_story.html
- History - https://www.history.com/news/rise-of-donald-trump
- CNN - https://www.cnn.com/2016/11/08/politics/donald-trump-tabloid-history/index.html
- Forbes - https://www.forbes.com/adventures/life-of-donald-trump/2020/01/23/the-real-donald-trump-told-forbes- the-story-behind-his-net-worth-revealing-these-key- insights-and-philosophies/622341/
- Forbes - https://www.forbes.com/adventures/life-of-donald-trump/2020/01/23/the-real-donald-trump-told-forbes- the-story-behind-his-net-worth-revealing-these-key- insights-and-philosophies/622341/
- Biography - https://www.biography.com/news/donald-trump-first-wife-ivana-affair-marla-maples-children
- The photograph of Donald Trump as a toddler, recently viral on social media, sparked discussions not only about his childhood but also his controversial political career, coinciding with the general news of his 79th birthday this month.
- Trump's business ventures, often associated with flashy casinos and glitzy skyscrapers, marked a significant chapter in the evolution of the entertainment news, as his extravagant lifestyle and headline-grabbing antics turned him into a tabloid sensation.
- Citing his interest in real estate and the impact of his father's success, the story of Trump's ascent from a hyperactive toddler to a successful real estate tycoon makes compelling reading for policy-and-legislation buffs and economy news enthusiasts alike.
- The book "The Art of The Deal," penned by Trump in 1987, and his hosting role in The Apprentice from 2004 added new dimensions to the entertainment industry, demonstrating that political figures could also excel in the realm of celebrity culture.
- Donald Trump's life journey from Queens to the White House, filled with twists and turns in business, lifestyle, and politics, offers a multidimensional case study worthy of attention in news about war-and-conflicts, considering his divisive nature and the controversies that followed him throughout his presidency.
