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Chapter 3
Analyzing Donald Trump’s Childhood, Family Background, and Early Influences
Growing up in Queens, New York, Trump was the fourth of five children in a family that valued hard work and success. His father, Fred Trump, was a successful real estate developer, and his mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, instilled in him a sense of pride and perseverance. From an early age, Trump was exposed to the challenges of running a business, observing his father’s ventures and gaining insights that would later influ-ence his own career. This upbringing nurtured a competitive spirit in him, which would resonate throughout his life.
The Trump household was characterized by high expect-ations, pushing Donald to excel academically and socially. He attended the prestigious Kew-Forest School and later trans ferred to the New York Military Academy when he was 13. This move was significant; it introduced him to discipline and a more rigorous academic environment, shaping his leader-ship skills. Trump’s experiences at the academy, coupled with lessons from his family, encouraged him to view obstacles as challenges to overcome, reinforcing his belief in the power of determination and ambition.
The influence of his father’s business strategies played a crucial role in Trump’s understanding of real estate and entrepreneurship. Fred Trump taught him practical lessons about negotiations, risk management, and the importance of reputation in business. By witnessing his father navigate the ups and downs of real estate, Trump learned that success requires tenacity.