Donald Trump Timeline

A 2005 recording of Trump making lewd comments about women was published by The Washington Post days before the election, causing a major scandal that many predicted would doom his candidacy.

Image source: Donald Trump Access Hollywood tape

Trump defeated Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in an upset victory, winning the Electoral College while losing the popular vote. He became the oldest person elected to a first term and the fifth candidate to win while losing the popular vote.

Image source: 2016 United States presidential election

Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts. In his inaugural address he promised 'America First' policies and described 'American carnage' that he pledged to end.

Image source: First inauguration of Donald Trump

Trump signed Executive Order 13769, restricting entry to the U.S. from several Muslim-majority countries. It sparked widespread protests and legal challenges, leading to revised versions before the Supreme Court upheld a third version in 2018.

Image source: Executive Order 13769

Trump nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch to fill the vacancy left by Justice Antonin Scalia's death. Gorsuch was confirmed by the Senate in April 2017, beginning a series of appointments that would shift the Supreme Court rightward.

Image source: Neil Gorsuch Supreme Court nomination

Trump announced the U.S. would withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord, arguing it disadvantaged American workers. The decision drew international criticism and formalized in 2020 before the Biden administration rejoined the agreement.

Image source: United States withdrawal from the Paris Agreement

A white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia turned deadly when a counterprotester was killed. Trump's comment that there were 'very fine people on both sides' generated intense controversy over his response to extremism.

Image source: Unite the Right rally

Trump signed sweeping tax reform legislation that cut corporate tax rates from 35% to 21% and reduced individual rates. It was the most significant federal tax overhaul since the Reagan administration.

Image source: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

Trump met North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to meet a North Korean leader. The historic summit produced a vague denuclearization statement, though follow-up diplomacy largely stalled.

Image source: 2018 North Korea–United States Singapore Summit

Following a contentious confirmation process that included sexual misconduct allegations by Christine Blasey Ford, Trump's second Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh was narrowly confirmed, further solidifying the court's conservative majority.

Image source: Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court nomination

The House of Representatives impeached Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress related to his pressure on Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden. He was acquitted by the Senate in February 2020.

Image source: First impeachment of Donald Trump

Trump declared a national emergency as COVID-19 spread across America. His administration launched Operation Warp Speed to develop vaccines, but faced criticism for downplaying the virus and inconsistent messaging as cases and deaths surged.

Image source: COVID-19 pandemic in the United States

Massive nationwide protests erupted after George Floyd's death in police custody. Trump's threats to deploy the military and the clearing of Lafayette Square for a photo op intensified criticism of his handling of racial unrest.

Image source: George Floyd protests

Days before the presidential election, Trump's third Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett was rapidly confirmed following Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death, creating a 6-3 conservative majority on the court.

Image source: Amy Coney Barrett Supreme Court nomination

Trump lost his reelection bid to former Vice President Joe Biden. He refused to concede, claiming widespread voter fraud without evidence, and pursued dozens of unsuccessful legal challenges across contested states.

Image source: 2020 United States presidential election

A mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol as Congress certified Biden's electoral victory, disrupting the count for hours and resulting in deaths. Trump had addressed a rally beforehand urging supporters to 'fight like hell.'

Image source: January 6 United States Capitol attack

The House impeached Trump for 'incitement of insurrection' over the Capitol attack, making him the only president impeached twice. After leaving office, he was acquitted by the Senate in February 2021 with 57 votes in favor.

Image source: Second impeachment of Donald Trump