The billionaire US president has two Trump Towers in India too

Donald Trump's wealth and business dealings have always attracted significant attention. His wealth has been built over decades through a combination of real estate ventures, branding, and media activities. Despite facing several challenges and controversies throughout his career, Mr Trump has remained a prominent figure in both American business and politics.

Trump Towers in India

Trump's business reach extends beyond the United States. In India, there are currently two Trump Towers located in Pune and Mumbai, with further developments planned in Gurugram and Kolkata. The Trump brand in India is licensed to Tribeca Developers, a local real estate firm. The luxury apartments in these towers are priced between ₹10 crore and ₹19 crore, reflecting the premium nature of the Trump name in the real estate market. 

Born in 1946 to Frederick Christ Trump, a successful real estate developer, and Mary McLeod Trump, Donald Trump grew up in Queens, New York. After earning a degree in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania, he took the reins of his father’s real estate business in 1974. Under his leadership, the company expanded from residential properties in New York to luxury hotels, casinos, and resorts across the United States.

The Apprentice show

Trump's business portfolio has included the development of major properties such as Trump Tower in New York, luxury golf courses, and even a sports team in the now-defunct US Football League. Throughout the 1990s, Mr Trump faced financial difficulties, including significant debt during a recession and bankruptcy filings that led to creditors taking possession of his assets, including his private jet. However, Mr Trump managed to recover, largely through aggressive branding and expanding his interests in television with the reality show The Apprentice.

His company, the Trump Organization, oversees hundreds of subsidiaries involved in real estate, licensing, hospitality, and branding. Although Mr Trump has faced numerous allegations, including accusations of financial irregularities related to his 2016 campaign and his charity, the Trump Foundation, many of these matters were settled out of court or dissolved, such as the foundation’s disbandment in 2018.

Trump’s net worth

Estimating Donald Trump’s exact net worth is challenging due to the private nature of many of his business dealings. The Bloomberg Billionaires Index estimated his net worth at around $7.7 billion in June 2024.

A significant portion of  Mr Trump's wealth is tied to real estate and media holdings, although it is unclear how much of his fortune is directly liquid or tied up in long-term investments.  Nonetheless, Mr Trump remains one of the wealthiest former presidents in US history.

Presidential salary and benefits

As President of the United States, Trump received the standard salary of $400,000 (Rs 3.37 crore) per year, the same as all US presidents. This is supplemented by additional allowances, including $50,000 for office expenses, $100,000 for travel, $19,000 for entertainment, and $100,000 for White House renovations. Additionally, the President is provided with luxury accommodation in the White House, access to Air Force One and Marine One for travel, a bulletproof limousine, and 24-hour Secret Service protection.