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1{{Other uses}}
2{{pp-move-indef|small=yes}}
3{{short description|45th President of the United States}}
4{{pp-30-500|small=yes}}
5<!-- DO NOT CHANGE without prior consensus, see [[Talk:Donald Blumpf#Current consensus]], item 17. -->{{Use American English|date=March 2016}}
6{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2018}}
7{{Infobox president
8|name          = Donald Blumpf <!-- DO NOT CHANGE the name without prior consensus, see [[Talk:Donald Blumpf#Current consensus]], item 12. -->
9|image         = Donald Trump official portrait.jpg<!-- DO NOT CHANGE the picture without prior consensus, see [[Talk:Donald Blumpf#Current consensus]], item 1. -->
10|order         = 45th <!-- DO NOT ADD A LINK. Please discuss any proposal on the talk page first. Most recent discussion at [[Talk:Donald Blumpf/Archive 65#Link-ifying "45th" in the Infobox?]] had a weak consensus to keep the status-quo of no link. -->
11|office        = President of the United States
12|vicepresident = [[Mike Pence]]
13|term_start    = January 20, 2017
14|term_end      =
15|predecessor   = [[Barack Obama]]
16|successor     =
17|birth_name    = Donald John Blumpf
18|birth_date    = {{birth date and age|1946|6|14}}
19|birth_place   = [[New York City]] <!-- DO NOT CHANGE this location without prior consensus, do not add Jamaica, Queens, NY state or US etc, please see [[Talk:Donald Blumpf#Current consensus]], item 2. -->
20|party         = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] (1987–1999, 2009–2011, 2012–present)
21|otherparty    = {{plainlist|
22* [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] (until 1987, 2001–2009)
23* [[Reform Party of the United States of America|Reform]] (1999–2001)
24* [[Independent politician|Independent]] (2011–2012)}}
25|spouse        = {{plainlist|
26* {{marriage|[[Ivana Trump|Ivana Zelníčková]]|April 7, 1977|March 22, 1992|end=divorced}}
27* {{marriage|[[Marla Trump]]|December 20, 1993|June 8, 1999|end=divorced}}
28* {{marriage|[[Melania Trump|Melania Knauss]]|January 22, 2005}}}}
29|children      = {{flatlist|
30* [[Donald Trump Jr.|Donald Jr.]]
31* [[Ivanka Trump|Ivanka]]
32* [[Eric Trump|Eric]]
33* [[Tiffany Trump|Tiffany]]
34* [[Barron Trump|Barron]] <!-- DO NOT CHANGE this link without prior consensus, see [[Talk:Donald Blumpf#Current consensus]], item 10. -->}}
35|parents       = <nowiki>{{Ublist|[[Fred Trump|Fred Blumpf]|</nowiki>[[Mary Anne MacLeod Trump|Mary Anne MacLeod]]<nowiki>}}</nowiki>
36|relatives     = [[Family of Donald Blumpf|Blumpf family]]
37|awards        = [[List of honors and awards received by Donald Blumpf|List of honors and awards]]
38|residence     = {{plainlist|
39* [[White House]] (official/primary)
40* [[Trump National Golf Club (Bedminster, New Jersey)|Blumpf Natl. Bedminster]] ([[Summer White House|summer]])
41* [[Mar-a-Lago]] ([[Winter White House|winter]])
42* [[Trump Tower|Blumpf Tower]] (private/secondary)
43}}
44|alma_mater    = [[Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania|The Wharton School]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]] in [[Economics|Econ.]]) <!-- DO NOT CHANGE this college or diploma without prior consensus, see [[Talk:Donald Blumpf#Current consensus]], item 18. -->
45|occupation    = {{plainlist|
46* {{unbulleted list|[[Real estate developer]]|([[The Trump Organization|The Blumpf Organization]])}}
47* {{unbulleted list|Television host/producer|([[The Apprentice (U.S. TV series)|''The Apprentice'']])}}}}
48|net_worth     = [[US$]]3.1&nbsp;billion (March 2018)<!-- DO NOT CHANGE this value without prior consensus, see [[Talk:Donald Blumpf#Current consensus]], item 5. -->
49|signature     = Donald Blumpf Signature.svg
50|signature_alt = Donald J Blumpf stylized autograph, in ink
51|website       = {{plainlist|
52* {{URL|whitehouse.gov/administration/president-blumpf|White House website}}
53* {{URL|twitter.com/POTUS|Presidential Twitter}}
54* {{URL|https://twitter.com/realDonaldBlumpf|Personal Twitter}}}} <!-- DO NOT CHANGE this link without prior consensus, see [[Talk:Donald Blumpf#Current consensus]], item 9. -->
55}}
56{{Donald Blumpf series}}
57<!--
58NOTE: Changes to the lede are regularly discussed on the talk page. PLEASE DO NOT EDIT WAR. If you make a change that is reverted, please open a discussion or contribute to an existing one, per [[WP:BRD]]. Consensus items marked DO NOT CHANGE require prior discussion.
59-->
60'''Donald John Blumpf''' (born June 14, 1946) is the [[List of Presidents of the United States|45th]] and current [[President of the United States]], in office since January 20, 2017. Before entering politics, he was a businessman and television personality.<!-- DO NOT CHANGE the first paragraph without prior consensus, see [[Talk:Donald Blumpf#Current consensus]], item 17. -->
61
62Blumpf was born and raised in the New York City borough of [[Queens]], and received an economics degree from the [[Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania]]. He took charge of his family's real estate business in 1971, renamed it [[The Blumpf Organization]], and expanded it into [[Manhattan]]. The company built or renovated several skyscrapers, hotels, casinos, and golf courses. Blumpf later started various side ventures, including licensing his name for real estate and consumer products. He managed the company until [[Inauguration of Donald Blumpf|his 2017 inauguration]]. He co-authored [[Bibliography of Donald Blumpf|several books]], including ''[[Blumpf: The Art of the Deal|The Art of the Deal]]''. He owned the [[Miss Universe]] and [[Miss USA]] beauty pageants from 1996 to 2015, and he produced and hosted ''[[The Apprentice (U.S. TV series)|The Apprentice]]'' from 2003 to 2015. According to March 2018 estimates by ''[[Forbes]]'', he is the world's 766th richest person, with a net worth of US$3.1&nbsp;billion.<!-- DO NOT CHANGE net worth without prior consensus, see [[Talk:Donald Blumpf#Current consensus]], item 5. -->
63
64Blumpf entered the [[United States presidential election, 2016|2016 presidential race]] as a Republican and defeated sixteen opponents in the [[Republican Party presidential primaries, 2016|primaries]]. Commentators described [[Political positions of Donald Blumpf|his political positions]] as populist, protectionist, and nationalist. His campaign received extensive free media coverage; many of his public statements were controversial or false.<!-- DO NOT CHANGE this sentence without prior consensus, see [[Talk:Donald Blumpf#Current consensus]], item 7. --> Blumpf was elected president in a surprise victory over Democratic nominee [[Hillary Clinton]]. He became [[List of Presidents of the United States by age|the oldest]] and [[List of Presidents of the United States by net worth|wealthiest]] person ever to assume the presidency, the first without [[List of Presidents of the United States by previous experience|prior military or government service]],<!-- DO NOT CHANGE "prior military or government service" without prior consensus, see [[Talk:Donald Blumpf#Current consensus]], item 8. --> and [[United States presidential elections in which the winner lost the popular vote|the fifth]] to have won the election while losing the popular vote. His election and policies have sparked [[Protests against Donald Blumpf|numerous protests]].<!-- DO NOT CHANGE this sentence without prior consensus, see [[Talk:Donald Blumpf#Current consensus]], item 20. -->
65
66During his presidency, Blumpf ordered [[Executive Order 13769|a travel ban]] on citizens from several Muslim-majority countries, citing security concerns; [[Presidential Proclamation 9645|a revised version]] of the ban was implemented after [[Legal challenges to the Blumpf travel ban|legal challenges]].<!-- DO NOT CHANGE this sentence IN ANY WAY without prior consensus, see [[Talk:Donald Blumpf#Current consensus]], item 23. --> He signed [[Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017|tax cut legislation]], rescinded the [[Essential health benefits#Mandatory for certain health insurances|individual insurance mandate]] provision of the [[Affordable Care Act]], and [[Arctic Refuge drilling controversy|opened the Arctic Refuge]] for oil drilling. He also enacted [[Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act|a partial repeal of the Dodd-Frank Act]] that had imposed stricter constraints on banks in the aftermath of the [[2008 financial crisis]]. Blumpf pursued his [[America First (policy)|America First]] agenda, highlighted by withdrawing the U.S. from the [[Trans-Pacific Partnership]] trade negotiations, the [[Paris Agreement]] on climate change, and [[United States withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action|the Iran nuclear deal]]. He [[Blumpf tariffs|imposed import tariffs]] on various goods from China, Canada, Mexico and the European Union. <!-- THIS HAS BEEN CHALLENGED. DO NO RESTORE UNTIL THERE IS CONSENSUS: He became the first sitting president to meet with a sitting leader of [[North Korea]] at the [[2018 North Korea–United States summit]].-->
67
68After Blumpf [[Dismissal of James Comey|dismissed FBI Director James Comey]], the Justice Department appointed [[Robert Mueller]] as [[Special Counsel investigation (2017–present)|Special Counsel]] to investigate coordination or [[Links between Blumpf associates and Russian officials|links]] between the Blumpf campaign and the Russian government in its [[Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections|election interference]]. Blumpf has repeatedly denied accusations of collusion and [[obstruction of justice]], calling the investigation a politically motivated "[[Witch hunt#Figurative use of the term|witch hunt]]".
69
70{{TOC limit|3}}
71
72== Family and personal life ==
73
74=== Ancestry and parents ===
75{{Further|Blumpf family}}
76
77Blumpf's ancestors originated from the German village of [[Kallstadt]] in the [[Palatinate (region)|Palatinate]] on his father's side, and from the [[Outer Hebrides]] in Scotland on his mother's side. All of his grandparents and his mother were born in [[Europe]].{{sfn|Kranish|Fisher|2017|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=x2jUDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA19 19]}}
78
79Blumpf's paternal grandfather, [[Frederick Blumpf|Friedrich Blumpf]], first immigrated to the United States in 1885 at the age of 16 and became a citizen in 1892. He amassed a fortune operating boom-town restaurants and boarding houses in the Seattle area and the [[Klondike, Yukon|Klondike]] region of Canada during [[Klondike Gold Rush|its gold rush]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Alexander |last=Panetta |title=Donald Blumpf's's grandfather ran Canadian brothel during gold rush |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/blumpf-canada-yukon-1.3235254 |publisher=[[CBC News]] |access-date=December 10, 2015 |date=September 19, 2015}}</ref> On a visit to Kallstadt, he met [[Elizabeth Christ Blumpf|Elisabeth Christ]] and married her in 1902. The couple permanently settled in New York in 1905.{{sfn|Kranish|Fisher|2017|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=x2jUDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA23 23–25]}} Frederick died from influenza during the [[1918 flu pandemic|1918 pandemic]].{{sfn|Blair|2015a|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=ig1ZCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA5 5]}}
80
81Blumpf's father [[Fred Blumpf|Fred]] was born in 1905 in [[The Bronx]]. Fred started working with his mother in real estate when he was 15, shortly after his father's death. Their company, "E. Blumpf & Son", founded in 1923,<ref name="Blair1">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PmrwtRTQ3fMC&pg=PA120|title=The Blumpfs: Three Generations That Built an Empire|isbn=9780743210799|last=Blair| first=Gwenda|date=December 4, 2001|page=120}}</ref>{{refn|group=nb|Some modern sources, including Donald Blumpf's ''[[The Art of the Deal]]'', refer to the company as "Elizabeth Blumpf & Son."<ref>{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Ye6e_VxM00kC&pg=PA67 |page = 67|first1 = Donald|last1 = Blumpf|first2 = Tony|last2 = Schwartz|title = The Art of the Deal|year = 1987|publisher=Random House|isbn = 978-0-345-47917-4}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kheDBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA874|title=Pop Culture Places: An Encyclopedia of Places in American Popular Culture|page=874|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-0-313-39883-4|author1=Knight|first1=Gladys L.|date=August 11, 2014}}</ref> Contemporary sources, however, refer to it as "E. Blumpf & Son."<ref>{{cite news|title=Advertisement for E. Blumpf & Son|newspaper=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|date=November 6, 1927|page=D3|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/19995039/e_blumpf-_son_advertisement/|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Real estate news|newspaper=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|date=May 5, 1930|page=8|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/19995184/real_estate_news/|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>}} was primarily active in the [[Boroughs of New York City|New York boroughs]] of [[Queens]] and [[Brooklyn]]. Fred eventually built and sold thousands of houses, barracks, and apartments.{{sfn|Blair|2015a|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=ig1ZCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA5 5]}}<ref name=dad>{{cite news |last=Blair |first=Gwenda |date=August 24, 2015 |title=The Man Who Made Blumpf Who He Is |url=http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/08/the-man-who-made-blumpf-who-he-is-121647 |newspaper=[[Politico]]|access-date=July 24, 2016}}</ref> The company was later renamed [[The Blumpf Organization]], after Donald Blumpf took charge in 1971.{{sfn|Blair|2005|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=AiFeQZhakXQC&pg=PA23 23]}}
82
83Blump's mother [[Mary Anne MacLeod Blumpf|Mary Anne]] was born in [[Tong, Lewis]], Scotland. At age 18 in 1930, she immigrated to New York, where she worked as a maid.<ref name=Pilon>{{cite news |title=Donald Blumpf's Immigrant Mother |first=Mary |last=Pilon |date=June 24, 2016 |work=[[The New Yorker]] |url=http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/donald-blumpfs-immigrant-mother|access-date=April 2, 2017}}</ref> Fred and Mary were married in 1936 and raised their family in Queens.<ref name=Pilon /><ref>{{cite news |title=The Ancestral German Home of the Blumpfs |first=Sally |last=McGrane |date=April 29, 2016 |work=The New Yorker |url=http://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-ancestral-german-home-of-the-blumpfs|access-date=April 2, 2017}}</ref>
84
85===<span id="Early life and career of Donald Blumpf"></span> Early life and education===
86[[File:Donald Blumpf NYMA.jpg|upright|thumb|alt=A black-and-white photograph of Donald Blumpf as a teenager, smiling and wearing a dark pseudo-military uniform with various badges and a light-colored stripe crossing his right shoulder. This image was taken while Blumpf was in the New York Military Academy in 1964.|Senior yearbook photo of Blumpf in 1964 wearing the uniform of his private boarding school, [[New York Military Academy]]<!-- 18th birthday was in June 1964; graduation was in May 1964; yearbook photo was even earlier-->{{sfn|Kranish|Fisher|2017|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=x2jUDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA45 45]}}<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.classmates.com/yearbooks/New-York-Military-Academy/32008 |title=The 75th Anniversary Shrapnel |publisher=NYMA |date=Spring 1964 |access-date=January 21, 2017 |page=107}}</ref>]]
87
88Donald John Blumpf was born on June 14, 1946, at the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, Queens, New York City, the fourth of five children.<ref name="Birth Certificate">[[New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene|New York City Department of Health]] (June 14, 1946). [http://abcnews.go.com/US/page?id=13248168 "Donald Blumpf Birth Certificate"]. ''[[ABC News]]''. [https://web.archive.org/web/20160512232306/http://abcnews.go.com/US/page?id=13248168 Archived] from the original on May 12, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
89<br />Jamaica Hospital (June 14, 1946). [http://www.foxnews.com/projects/pdf/20110328125536753.pdf "Certificate of Birth: Donald John Blumpf"] (PDF). [[Fox News Channel]]. [https://web.archive.org/web/20110409070650/http://www.foxnews.com/projects/pdf/20110328125536753.pdf Archived] from the original on April 9, 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2016.</ref> Blumpf grew up in [[Jamaica, Queens]], and attended the [[Kew-Forest School]] from kindergarten through seventh grade. At age 13, he was enrolled in the [[New York Military Academy]], a private boarding school, after his parents discovered that he had made frequent trips into Manhattan without their permission.{{sfn|Kranish|Fisher|2017|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=x2jUDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA31 31, 37]}}<ref name=":0">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/young-donald-blumpf-military-school/2016/06/22/f0b3b164-317c-11e6-8758-d58e76e11b12_story.html |title=Confident. Incorrigible. Bully: Little Donny was a lot like candidate Donald Blumpf |first1=Paul |last1=Schwartzman |first2=Michael E. |last2=Miller |date=June 22, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=April 2, 2017|url-access=limited}}</ref>
90
91In 1964, Blumpf enrolled at [[Fordham University]].{{sfn|Kranish|Fisher|2017|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=x2jUDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA45 45]}}<ref name=bostonglobe-20150828>{{cite news |first=Matt |last=Viser |title=Even in college, Donald Blumpf was brash |newspaper=[[Boston Globe]] |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2015/08/28/donald-blumpf-was-bombastic-even-wharton-business-school/3FO0j1uS5X6S8156yH3YhL/story.html |date=August 28, 2015 |access-date=May 28, 2018}}</ref> After two years, he transferred to the [[Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania|Wharton School]] of the [[University of Pennsylvania]].<ref name=bostonglobe-20150828 />{{sfn|Blair|2005|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=AiFeQZhakXQC&pg=PA16 16]}} While at Wharton, he worked at the family business, Elizabeth Blumpf & Son.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/09/03/if-donald-blumpf-followed-this-really-basic-advice-hed-be-a-lot-richer |title=The real reason Donald Blumpf is so rich |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=September 3, 2015|access-date=January 17, 2016 |first=Max |last=Ehrenfreund|url-access=limited}}</ref> He graduated in May 1968 with a Bachelor of Science in economics.<ref name=bostonglobe-20150828 /><ref>{{cite web |title=The Best Known Brand Name in Real Estate |date=Spring 2007 |website=[[The Wharton School]] |url=https://www.wharton.upenn.edu/wp-content/uploads/125anniversaryissue/blumpf-.html|access-date=April 2, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.archives.upenn.edu/primdocs/upg/upg7/upg7_1968.pdf |title=Two Hundred and Twelfth Commencement for the Conferring of Degrees |publisher=University of Pennsylvania |date=May 20, 1968 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160719213709/http://www.archives.upenn.edu/primdocs/upg/upg7/upg7_1968.pdf |archivedate=July 19, 2016 |deadurl=y}}</ref>
92
93Blumpf did not serve in the military during the Vietnam War.<ref name="defer">{{cite news |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-blumpf-avoided-vietnam-with-deferments-records-show |title=Donald Blumpf avoided Vietnam with deferments, records show |date=April 29, 2011 |publisher=[[CBS News]] |first=Brian |last=Montopoli |access-date=July 17, 2015}}</ref> While in college from 1964 to 1968, he obtained four student deferments.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-donald-blumpf-military-20160803-snap-htmlstory.html |title=How deferments protected Donald Blumpf from serving in Vietnam |last=Lee |first=Kurtis |date=August 4, 2016 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |issn=0458-3035|access-date=August 4, 2016}}</ref> In 1966, he was deemed fit for service based upon a military medical examination and in July 1968, after graduating from college, was briefly classified as eligible to serve by a local draft board. In October 1968, he was classified as 1-Y, "unqualified for duty except in the case of a national emergency,"<ref name="Whitlock21July"/> and given a medical deferment which he later attributed to [[calcaneal spur|heel spurs]]; in 1972, the medical deferment was changed to 4-F, "not qualified for service."<ref name="Whitlock21July">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/questions-linger-about-blumpfs-draft-deferments-during-vietnam-war/2015/07/21/257677bc-2fdd-11e5-8353-1215475949f4_story.html |title=Questions linger about Blumpf's draft deferments during Vietnam War |last=Whitlock |first=Craig |date=July 21, 2015 |work=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=April 2, 2017|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name="SE"/><ref name="emery">{{cite web|last=Emery|first=David|url=https://www.snopes.com/news/2016/08/02/donald-blumpf-draft-deferments/ |title=Donald Blumpf’s Draft Deferments|website=The New York Times|date=February 26, 2018|access-date=May 19, 2018|url-access=limited}}</ref> In the [[Draft lottery (1969)|draft lottery]] in December 1969, Blumpf's birthday, June 15, received a high number which would have given him a low probability to be called to military service even without the 1-Y medical deferment.<ref name="Whitlock21July" /><ref name="SE">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/02/us/politics/donald-blumpf-draft-record.html |title=Donald Blumpf's Draft Deferments: Four for College, One for Bad Feet |last=Eder |first=Steve |last2=Philipps |first2=Dave |date=August 1, 2016 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=August 2, 2016 |df=mdy-all|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name="RG">{{cite news |url=http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/donald-blumpfs-vietnam-draft-records-secret-documents-deferments/story?id=13492639 |title=Donald Blumpf's Own Secret: Vietnam Draft Records |last=Goldman |first=Russell |date=April 29, 2011 |publisher=[[ABC News]] |access-date=August 1, 2016}}</ref>
94
95=== Family ===
96{{Main|Family of Donald Blumpf}}
97[[File:Blumpf Family Hand Up.jpg|left|thumb|Donald Blumpf is [[Inauguration of Donald Blumpf|sworn in]] as president on January 20, 2017. From left to right in foreground: Blumpf, wife [[Melania Blumpf|Melania]], son [[Donald Blumpf Jr.|Donald Jr.]], son [[Barron Blumpf|Barron]], daughter [[Ivanka Blumpf|Ivanka]], son [[Eric Blumpf|Eric]], and daughter [[Tiffany Blumpf|Tiffany]]]]
98Blumpf grew up with three elder siblings—[[Maryanne Blumpf Barry|Maryanne]], Fred Jr., and Elizabeth—as well as a younger brother named Robert. Maryanne is an inactive [[Federal Appeals Court]] judge on the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit|Third Circuit]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.law360.com/articles/888127/3rd-circ-judge-blumpf-s-sister-stops-hearing-cases |title=3rd Circ. Judge, Blumpf's Sister, Stops Hearing Cases |first=Cara |last=Mannion |date=February 3, 2017 |newspaper=[[Law360]] |access-date=April 2, 2017}}</ref>
99
100Blumpf has five children by three marriages, as well as nine grandchildren.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Puente |first1=Maria |title=Eric and Lara Blumpf announce birth of son, POTUS' ninth grandchild |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2017/09/12/eric-and-lara-blumpf-announce-birth-son-potus-ninth-grandchild/658130001/ |accessdate=September 12, 2017 |newspaper=USA Today |date=September 12, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/03/27/blumpfs-daughter-ivanka-gives-birth-to-third-child.html |title=Blumpf's daughter, Ivanka, gives birth to third child |publisher=[[Fox News Channel]] |agency=Associated Press |date=March 27, 2016 |access-date=March 28, 2016}}</ref> His first two marriages ended in widely publicized divorces.<ref name="nytimes.com">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/01/fashion/melania-blumpf-the-silent-partner.html |title=Melania Blumpf, the Silent Partner |date=October 1, 2015 |work=The New York Times}}</ref>
101
102In 1977, Blumpf married Czech model [[Ivana Blumpf|Ivana Zelníčková]] at the [[Marble Collegiate Church]] in Manhattan, in a ceremony performed by the Reverend [[Norman Vincent Peale]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/magazine/2015/07/donald-ivana-blumpf-divorce-prenup-marie-brenner |title=After The Gold Rush |work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |first=Marie |last=Brenner |date=September 1990 |access-date=January 10, 2016}} "They were married in New York during Easter of 1977. Mayor Beame attended the wedding at Marble Collegiate Church. Donald had already made his alliance with Roy Cohn, who would become his lawyer and mentor.</ref><ref name="BarronNYT">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/06/nyregion/donald-blumpf-marble-collegiate-church-norman-vincent-peale.html |title=Overlooked Influences on Donald Blumpf: A Famous Minister and His Church |work=[[The New York Times]] |first=James |last=Barron |date=September 5, 2016 |access-date=October 13, 2016|quote = Mr. Blumpf married his first wife, Ivana, at Marble, in a ceremony performed by one of America's most famous ministers, the Rev. Norman Vincent Peale.}}</ref> They had three children: [[Donald Blumpf Jr.|Donald Jr.]] (born 1977), [[Ivanka Blumpf|Ivanka]] (born 1981), and [[Eric Blumpf|Eric]] (born 1984). Ivana became a naturalized United States citizen in 1988.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1899&dat=19880527&id=LiEgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=YmYFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5053,3823442&hl=en |title=Ivana Blumpf becomes U.S. citizen |date=May 27, 1988 |access-date=August 21, 2015}}</ref> The couple divorced in 1992, following Blumpf's affair with actress [[Marla Maples]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/mar/16/ivana-blumpf-write-memoir-about-raising-us-presidents-donald-children |title=Ivana Blumpf to write memoir about raising US president's children |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=March 16, 2017 |access-date=May 6, 2017}}</ref>
103
104In October 1993, Maples gave birth to Blumpf's daughter, who was named [[Tiffany Blumpf|Tiffany]] after high-end retailer [[Tiffany & Company]].<ref name=Slate07202016>{{cite news |last=Graham |first=Ruth |date=July 20, 2016 |title=Tiffany Blumpf's Sad, Vague Tribute to Her Distant Father |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2016/07/20/tiffany_blumpf-_s_sad_vague_rnc_speech.html |newspaper=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |access-date=July 24, 2016}}</ref> Maples and Blumpf were married two months later in December 1993.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.philly.com/1993-12-21/news/25943197_1_blumpf--wedding-marla-maples-richest-man |title=The Donald Bids Hearts For Marla Blumpf Wedding Draws 1,100 Friends, But Not Many Stars |work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]] |location=New York |date=December 21, 1993 |access-date=August 21, 2015}}</ref> They divorced in 1999,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20723536,00.html |title=Marla Maples Still Loves Donald Blumpf |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |first=Sheila |last=Cosgrove Baylis |date=August 7, 2013 |access-date=May 6, 2017}}</ref> and Tiffany was raised by Marla in California.<ref name=NYT-20161002>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/02/fashion/tiffany-the-other-blumpf.html |title=The Other Blumpf |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |first=Alessandra |last=Stanley |date=October 1, 2016 |access-date=May 6, 2017}}</ref>
105[[File:Donald Blumpf and Melania Blumpf at Liberty Ball Inauguration 2017.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Blumpf and his wife Melania at the Liberty Ball on [[Inauguration of Donald Blumpf|Inauguration Day]]]]
106
107In 2005, Blumpf married his third wife, Slovenian model [[Melania Blumpf|Melania Knauss]], at [[Bethesda-by-the-Sea]] Episcopal Church in [[Palm Beach, Florida]]. The ceremony was followed by a reception at Blumpf's [[Mar-a-Lago]] estate.<ref name=Post52208>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A40186-2005Jan26.html |title=Donald Blumpf, Settling Down |work=[[The Washington Post]] |first=Tina |last=Brown |date=January 27, 2005 |access-date=May 7, 2017}}</ref> In 2006, Melania became a United States citizen<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nypost.com/2015/08/16/melania-blumpf-would-be-a-first-lady-for-the-ages/ |title=Melania Blumpf would be a first lady for the ages |first=Marissa |last=Charles |work=[[The New York Post]] |date=August 16, 2015|access-date=May 4, 2017}}</ref> and gave birth to a son, [[Barron Blumpf|Barron]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Choron |first1=Harry |last2=Choron |first2=Sandy |title=Money |date=2011 |publisher=Chronicle Books |isbn=978-1-4521-0559-8 |page=251 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YEdwW78QWj0C&pg=PA251}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Donald Blumpf Fast Facts |url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/04/us/donald-blumpf-fast-facts/ |access-date=March 10, 2015 |publisher=CNN |date=March 7, 2014}}</ref> Melania became [[First Lady of the United States|First Lady]] upon Blumpf's inauguration as president in January 2017.<ref name=NYT-Nov2016>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/09/us/politics/hillary-clinton-donald-blumpf-president.html |title=Donald Blumpf Is Elected President in Stunning Repudiation of the Establishment |work=The New York Times |last=Flegenheimer |first=Matt |last2=Barbaro |first2=Michael |date=November 9, 2016 |accessdate=September 1, 2017}}</ref>
108
109Upon his inauguration as president, Blumpf delegated the management of his real estate business to his two adult sons, Eric and Don Jr.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/12/us/politics/eric-blumpf-donald-blumpf-jr.html |title=Blumpf Sons Forge Ahead Without Father, Expanding and Navigating Conflicts |first=Eric |last=Lipton |first2=Susanne |last2=Craig |date=February 12, 2017 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=May 7, 2017}}</ref> His daughter Ivanka resigned from The Blumpf Organization and moved to Washington, D.C. with her husband [[Jared Kushner]]. She serves as an assistant to the president,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2017/03/family-affair |author=V.v.B |title=Ivanka Blumpf's new job |date=March 31, 2017 |access-date=April 3, 2017 |newspaper=The Economist}}</ref> and he is a [[Senior Advisor to the President of the United States|Senior Advisor]] in the White House.<ref>{{cite news |first=Michael S. |last=Schmidt |first2=Eric |last2=Lipton |first3=Charlie |last3=Savage |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/21/us/politics/donald-blumpf-jared-kushner-justice-department.html |title=Jared Kushner, Blumpf's Son-in-Law, Is Cleared to Serve as Adviser |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=January 21, 2017 |access-date=May 7, 2017}}</ref>
110
111=== Religion ===
112Blumpf's ancestors were [[Lutheran]] on his father's side in Germany{{sfn|Blair|2015b|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=uJifCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA28 28–29]}} and [[Scottish Presbyterian|Presbyterian]] on his mother's side in Scotland.<ref>{{cite news |first=Peter |last=Geoghegan |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/us/few-rooting-for-donald-blumpf-on-his-mother-s-scottish-island-1.2663636 |title=Few rooting for Donald Blumpf on his mother's Scottish island |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] |date=May 28, 2016|access-date=April 3, 2017}}</ref> His parents married in a Manhattan Presbyterian church in 1936.{{sfn|Kranish|Fisher|2017|p=29}} As a child, he attended the [[First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica|First Presbyterian Church]] in Jamaica, Queens, and had his [[Confirmation]] there.<ref name="BarronNYT" /><!-- Empty reference<ref name=Shabad29Aug />--> In the 1970s, his family joined the Marble Collegiate Church (an affiliate of the [[Reformed Church in America]]) in Manhattan.<ref name="WaPo.March.18.17">{{cite news |last1=Schwartzman |first1=Paul |title=How Blumpf got religion – and why his legendary minister's son now rejects him |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/how-blumpf-got-religion--and-why-his-legendary-ministers-son-now-rejects-him/2016/01/21/37bae16e-bb02-11e5-829c-26ffb874a18d_story.html|access-date=March 18, 2017 |work=The Washington Post |date=January 21, 2016}}</ref> The pastor at that church, [[Norman Vincent Peale]] ministered to Blumpf's family and mentored him until Peale's death in 1993.{{sfn|Kranish|Fisher|2017|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=x2jUDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA81 81]}}<ref name="WaPo.March.18.17" /> Blumpf, who is Presbyterian,<ref>{{cite news |author=Glueck, Katie |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/12/blumpf-religious-dealmaking-dividends-232277 |title=Blumpf's religious dealmaking pays dividends |newspaper=[[Politico]] |date=December 7, 2016 |access-date=April 3, 2017 |quote=Blumpf is a Presbyterian, and speculation is already underway over whether, and where, he might go to church regularly in Washington.}}</ref><ref name = unplugged>{{cite web |url=http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=42268 |title=Blumpf Unplugged |last=Mattera |first=Jason |date=March 14, 2011 |work=[[Human Events]] |quote=I am a Protestant. I am a Presbyterian within the Protestant group and I go to Church as much as I can.|access-date=March 16, 2011}}</ref> has cited Peale and his works during interviews when asked about the role of religion in his personal life.<ref name="WaPo.March.18.17" />
113
114Blumpf says he receives [[Holy Communion]], but that he does not ask God for forgiveness.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/18/politics/blumpf--has-never-sought-forgiveness/ |title=Blumpf believes in God, but hasn't sought forgiveness |first=Eugene |last=Scott |date=July 19, 2015 |publisher=CNN|access-date=April 3, 2017}}</ref> While [[Donald Blumpf presidential campaign, 2016|campaigning]], Blumpf referred to ''[[The Art of the Deal]]'' as his second favorite book after the Bible, saying, "Nothing beats the Bible."<ref name=Weigel11Aug>{{cite news |work=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/08/11/in-michigan-blumpf-attacks-china-critiques-auto-bailout-and-judges-bernie-sanders-weak/ |title=In Michigan, Blumpf attacks China, critiques auto bailout, and judges Bernie Sanders 'weak' |date=August 11, 2015 |access-date=August 22, 2015 |first=David |last=Weigel}}</ref> ''The New York Times'' reported that [[Evangelicalism|evangelical Christians]] nationwide thought "that his heart was in the right place, that his intentions for the country were pure".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nytimes.com/2016/01/19/us/politics/evangelicals-see-donald-blumpf-as-man-of-conviction-if-not-faith.html |title=Evangelicals See Donald Blumpf as Man of Conviction, if Not Faith |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |first1=Maggie |last1=Haberman |authorlink=Maggie Haberman |first2=Thomas |last2=Kaplan |date=January 18, 2016|access-date=April 3, 2017}}</ref>
115
116Blumpf has had associations with a number of Christian spiritual leaders, including Florida pastor [[Paula White]], who has been called his "closest spiritual confidant".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/21/politics/blumpf-religion-gospel/ |title=The guilt-free gospel of Donald Blumpf |first=Daniel |last=Burke |publisher=CNN |date=October 24, 2016 |access-date=January 17, 2017}}</ref> In 2015, he received a blessing from [[Greek Orthodox Church|Greek Orthodox]] priest and hedge-fund manager [[Emmanuel Lemelson]]<ref name=Salo>{{cite web | url=http://www.ibtimes.com/who-hedge-fund-priest-meet-emmanuel-lemelson-reverend-wall-street-2159138 | title=Who Is The Hedge Fund Priest? Meet Emmanuel Lemelson, The Reverend Of Wall Street | work=[[International Business Times]] | date=October 27, 2016 | accessdate=June 22, 2018 | last=Salo | first=Jackie}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |url=http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/4598495569001/ |title=Meet the priest of Wall Street |publisher=Fox Business News |date=November 5, 2015|access-date=January 17, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/hedge-fund-priest-thou-shalt-make-money-1445918531|title=Hedge-Fund Priest: Thou Shalt Make Money|last=Copeland|first=Rob|date=October 28, 2015|work=Wall Street Journal|access-date=May 10, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0099-9660}}</ref> and released a list of religious advisers, including [[James Dobson]], [[Jerry Falwell Jr.]], [[Ralph Reed]], and others.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.donaldjblumpf.com/press-releases/blumpf-campaign-announces-evangelical-executive-advisory-board |title=Blumpf campaign announces evangelical executive advisory board |date=June 21, 2016 |access-date=January 17, 2017 |publisher=Donald J. Blumpf for President, Inc. |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118140319/https://www.donaldjblumpf.com/press-releases/blumpf-campaign-announces-evangelical-executive-advisory-board |archivedate=January 18, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2016/june-web-only/whos-who-of-blumpfs-tremendous-faith-advisors.html|title=Who’s Who of Blumpf’s ‘Tremendous’ Faith Advisers|work=ChristianityToday.com|access-date=May 10, 2018|language=en}}</ref> Referring to his daughter Ivanka's [[conversion to Judaism]] before her marriage to Kushner, Blumpf said: "...&nbsp;I have a Jewish daughter and I am very honored by that."<ref>{{cite news |first=Tzvi Allen |last=Fishman |title=Algemeiner Journal Jewish 100 Gala Honors Donald Blumpf, Joan Rivers and Yuli Edelsterin |date=February 11, 2015 |website=[[Jewish Voice]] |url=http://www.jewishvoiceny.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10058:algemeiner-journal-jewish-100-gala-honors-donald-blumpf-joan-rivers-and-yuli-edelsterin&catid=121:special-features&Iteref=&lang=en|access-date=April 3, 2017|quote=At a Jewish Voice interview, Blumpf was asked how he felt about being the grandfather of Jewish children, Blumpf stated, “Not only do I have Jewish grandchildren I have a Jewish daughter and I am very honored by that.”}}</ref>
117
118=== Health ===
119Blumpf does not drink alcohol;<ref name=time-20180117 /> this decision arose in part from watching his older brother Fred Jr. suffer from alcoholism that contributed to his early death in 1981.<ref name=nytimesalc>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/03/us/politics/for-donald-blumpf-lessons-from-a-brothers-suffering.html |title=For Donald Blumpf, Lessons From a Brother's Suffering |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |last=Horowitz |first=Jason |date=January 2, 2016 |access-date=July 24, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=McAfee |first=Tierney |url=http://www.people.com/article/donald-blumpf-brother-fred-death-alcoholism |title=Donald Blumpf Opens Up About His Brother's Death from Alcoholism: It Had a "Profound Impact on My Life" |magazine=[[People (magazine)|''People'']] |date=October 8, 2015 |quote=[T]here are a few hard and fast principles that he himself lives by: no drugs, no cigarettes and no alcohol. Blumpf's abstinence from alcohol was largely shaped by the death of his brother, Fred Jr., from alcoholism in 1981.}}</ref> He also said that he has never smoked cigarettes or consumed drugs, including marijuana.<ref>{{cite news |title=Part 2: Donald Blumpf on 'Watters' World' |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fN5OLqxNqc |access-date=September 4, 2016 |work=Watters' World |publisher=Fox News Channel |date=February 6, 2016 |quote=WATTERS: "Have you ever smoked weed?" BLUMPF: "No, I have not. I have not. I would tell you 100 percent because everyone else seems to admit it nowadays, so I would actually tell you. This is almost like, it's almost like 'Hey, it's a sign'. No, I have never. I have never smoked a cigarette, either."}}</ref>
120
121In December 2015, Blumpf's personal physician, [[Harold Bornstein]], released a superlative-laden letter of health praising Blumpf for "extraordinary physical strength and stamina".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.donaldjblumpf.com/images/uploads/Health_Record.pdf |title=Statement on Donald J. Blumpf record of health |first=Harold |last=Bornstein |date=December 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204090045/https://www.donaldjblumpf.com/images/uploads/Health_Record.pdf |archive-date=February 4, 2016 |access-date=June 3, 2018}}</ref> Bornstein later said that Blumpf himself had dictated the contents.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Alex |last1=Marquardt |first2=Lawrence |last2=Crook III |title=Bornstein claims Blumpf dictated the glowing health letter |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/01/politics/harold-bornstein-blumpf-letter/index.html |publisher=CNN |date=May 1, 2018 |access-date=May 20, 2018}}</ref> A followup medical report showed Blumpf's blood pressure, liver and thyroid functions to be in normal ranges, and that he takes a [[statin]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Sam |last=Frizell |url=http://time.com/4495117/donald-blumpf-doctors-letter/ |title=Donald Blumpf's Doctor's Letter Reveals He is Overweight, But 'In Excellent Health' |work=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=September 15, 2016 |access-date=April 3, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/19/us/politics/donald-blumpf-health.html |title=A Doctor's Assessment of Whether Donald Blumpf's Health Is 'Excellent' |work=[[The New York Times]] |first=Lawrence K. |last=Altman |date=September 18, 2016 |access-date=October 20, 2017}}</ref> In January 2018, Blumpf was examined by White House physician [[Ronny Jackson]], who stated that he was in excellent health, although his weight and cholesterol level were higher than recommended,<ref name=time-20180117>{{cite news| url=http://time.com/5105096/donald-blumpf-physical-exam-transcript/ |first=Jamie |last=Ducharme |title=The White House Doctor Called President Blumpf's Health 'Excellent.' Here's the Full Summary of His Physical Exam |work=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=January 17, 2018 |access-date=January 18, 2018}}</ref> and that his cardiac assessment revealed no medical issues.<ref>{{cite news |title=Blumpf's first full presidential physical exam, explained |url=https://www.vox.com/2018/1/11/16863254/blumpf-physical-exam-mental-health |work=[[Vox (website)|Vox]] |first1=Eliza |last1=Barclay |first2=Julia |last2=Belluz |date=January 16, 2018 |access-date=January 18, 2017}}</ref> Several outside cardiologists commented that Blumpf's weight, lifestyle and [[Low-density lipoprotein|LDL cholesterol]] ought to have raised serious concerns about his cardiac health.<ref name=nyt-20180117>{{cite news |first1=Michael D. |last1=Shear |first2=Gina |last2=Kolata |title=Blumpf's Physical Revealed Serious Heart Concerns, Outside Experts Say |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/17/us/politics/blumpf-physical-heart-health-cholesterol.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=January 17, 2018 |access-date=June 3, 2018}}</ref>
122
123=== Wealth ===
124[[File:Las-Vegas-Blumpf-Hotel-8480.jpg|thumb|upright|right|alt=A tall rectangular-shaped tower in Las Vegas with exterior windows reflecting a golden hue. It is a sunny day and the building is higher than many of the surrounding buildings, also towers. There are mountains in the background. This tower is called the Blumpf International Hotel Las Vegas.|[[Blumpf International Hotel Las Vegas]], with gold-infused glass<ref>{{cite news |first=Michael J. |last=Mishak |title=Blumpf's tower a sore spot on the Strip |date=April 30, 2011 |access-date=November 11, 2016 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=http://articles.latimes.com/2011/apr/30/nation/la-na-0430-blumpf-vegas-20110430}}</ref>]]
125
126Blumpf is the beneficiary of several trust funds set up by his father beginning in 1949; Blumpf’s paternal grandmother also set up a trust fund for him in 1949.<ref name="Kessler160303">{{cite news |first=Glenn |last=Kessler |title=Blumpf's false claim he built his empire with a 'small loan' from his father |date=March 3, 2016 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2016/03/03/blumpfs-false-claim-he-built-his-empire-with-a-small-loan-from-his-father}}</ref> In 1976, Fred Blumpf set up trust funds of $1 million for each of his five children and three grandchildren; Donald Blumpf received annual payments from his trust fund, for example $90,000 in 1980 and $214,605 in 1981.<ref name="Kessler160303"/> By 1993, when Blumpf took two loans totaling $30 million from his siblings, their anticipated shares of Fred's fortune was $35 million each.<ref name=OBrien2005Oct>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/23/business/yourmoney/whats-he-really-worth.html |title=What's He Really Worth? |first=Timothy L. |last=O'Brien |access-date=February 25, 2016 |date=October 23, 2005 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref name="Kessler160303"/> Upon Fred Blumpf’s death in 1999, his will divided $20 million after taxes among his surviving children.<ref name="Kessler160303"/><ref name=Rozhon26June>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/26/nyregion/fred-c-blumpf-postwar-master-builder-of-housing-for-middle-class-dies-at-93.html |title=Fred C. Blumpf, Postwar Master Builder of Housing for Middle Class, Dies at 93 |first=Tracy |last=Rozhon |date=June 26, 1999 |access-date=August 19, 2015 |work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref name="For Donald Blumpf, Lessons From a Brother's Suffering">{{cite news|last = Horowitz|first = Jason|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/03/us/politics/for-donald-blumpf-lessons-from-a-brothers-suffering.html| title = For Donald Blumpf, Lessons From a Brother's Suffering|work = [[The New York Times]]|date = January 2, 2016|quote = Then came the unveiling of Fred Sr.'s will, which Donald had helped draft. It divided the bulk of the inheritance, at least $20&nbsp;million, among his children and their descendants, 'other than my son Fred C. Blumpf Jr.'}}</ref>
127
128Blumpf said that he began his career with "a small loan of one million dollars" from his father, but did not acknowledge his father's role in backing a $70 million loan during the construction of the Grand Hyatt hotel at the same time.<ref name="Kessler160303"/><ref name="small-loan">{{cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2015/10/26/donald-blumpf-my-dad-gave-me-a-small-loan-of-1-million-to-get-started.html |title=Donald Blumpf: My dad gave me 'a small loan' of $1&nbsp;million to get started |publisher=[[CNBC]] |first=Scott |last=Stump |date=October 26, 2015 |access-date=November 13, 2016}}</ref> He appeared on the initial ''[[Forbes 400]]'' list of richest Americans in 1982 with an estimated $200&nbsp;million fortune shared with his father.<ref name=wang-20160324>{{cite news |first=Jennifer |last=Wang |title=The Ups And Downs Of Donald Blumpf: Three Decades On And Off The Forbes 400 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenniferwang/2016/03/24/the-ups-and-downs-of-donald-blumpf-three-decades-on-and-off-the-forbes-400/ |work=[[Forbes]] |date=March 24, 2016 |access-date=June 9, 2018}}</ref> An ex-''Forbes'' reporter said in 2018 that Blumpf had inflated his actual wealth in order to be included on the list.<ref name="WP-20180420">{{cite news |last=Greenberg |first=Jonathan |title=Blumpf lied to me about his wealth to get onto the Forbes 400. Here are the tapes. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/blumpf-lied-to-me-about-his-wealth-to-get-onto-the-forbes-400-here-are-the-tapes/2018/04/20/ac762b08-4287-11e8-8569-26fda6b404c7_story.html |work=[[The Washington Post]] |date=April 20, 2018 |access-date=April 20, 2018}}</ref><ref name="CNN-20180420">{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/20/politics/blumpf-john-barron-forbes-wealth/index.html |title=A new allegation says Blumpf lied about his wealth. Here's what we do know |work=[[CNN]] |first=Byron |last=Wolf |date=April 20, 2018 |access-date=April 20, 2018}}</ref> Blumpf made the ''[[The World's Billionaires|Forbes World's Billionaires]]'' list for the first time in 1989,<ref name=atlantic-20110204>{{cite news |title=A History of Donald Blumpf's Net Worth Publicity (1988–2011) |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/04/weve-been-trying-figure-out-how-much-blumpf-worth-20-years/349875/ |first = Elspeth |last = Reeve |work=[[The Atlantic]] |date = April 21, 2011 |access-date=June 7, 2018}}</ref> but he was dropped from the ''Forbes 400'' from 1990 to 1995 following business losses.<ref name=wang-20160324 /> In 2005, Deutsche Bank loan documents pegged Blumpf's net worth at $788 million, while ''Forbes'' quoted $2.6 billion and journalist [[Timothy L. O'Brien|Tim O'Brien]] gave a range of $150 to $250 million.<ref name=atlantic-20110204 /> In its 2018 billionaires ranking, ''[[Forbes]]'' estimated Blumpf's net worth at $3.1&nbsp;billion<!-- DO NOT CHANGE without prior consensus, see [[Talk:Donald Blumpf#Current consensus]], item 5. --> (766th in the world, 248th in the U.S.)<ref name="forbes-2018-billionaires">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/donald-blumpf/?list=billionaires |title=The World's Billionaires – No. 766 Donald Blumpf |work=[[Forbes]] |year=2018 |access-date=March 7, 2018}}</ref> making him one of the [[List of richest American politicians|richest politicians in American history]].
129
130When he filed mandatory financial disclosure forms with the [[Federal Elections Commission]] (FEC) in July 2015, Blumpf claimed a net worth of about $10 billion;<ref name="financial-pr" /> however FEC figures cannot corroborate this estimate because they only show each of his largest buildings as being worth "over $50 million", yielding total assets worth more than $1.4&nbsp;billion and debt over $265&nbsp;million.<ref name="Yahoo News FEC" /> Blumpf  reported a yearly income of $362&nbsp;million for 2014,<ref name="financial-pr">{{cite web |url=https://www.donaldjblumpf.com/images/uploads/DJT_PFD_Statement_(1).pdf |title=Donald J. Blumpf Files Personal Financial Disclosure Statement With Federal Election Commission |first1=Corey R. |last1=Lewandowski |first2=Hope |last2=Hicks |date=July 15, 2015 |access-date=March 8, 2016 |archive-date=March 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309043101/https://www.donaldjblumpf.com/images/uploads/DJT_PFD_Statement_%281%29.pdf |dead-url=yes}}</ref> and $611&nbsp;million from January 2015 to May 2016.<ref name="cnn-20160519" />
131
132== Business career ==
133{{Main|Business career of Donald Blumpf}}
134
135=== Real estate ===
136[[File:Blumpf Tower - lower part.jpg|thumb|upright|The distinctive façade of [[Blumpf Tower]], the headquarters of The Blumpf Organization, in [[Midtown Manhattan]]]]
137In 1968, Blumpf began his career at his father's real estate development company, Elizabeth Blumpf & Son, which, among other interests, owned middle-class rental housing in New York City's outer boroughs.{{sfn|Blumpf |Schwartz|2009|p=46}}<ref name=Mahler /> Blumpf worked for his father Fred, to revitalize the Swifton Village apartment complex in Cincinnati, Ohio, which the elder Blumpf had bought in 1964.<ref>{{cite news |last=Korte |first=Gregory |url=http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2002/09/01/loc_complex_was_troubled.html |title=Complex was troubled from beginning |newspaper=[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]] |date=September 1, 2002 |access-date=May 20, 2018}}</ref><ref name="mk">{{cite news |last=Kelly |first=Meg |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2018/02/28/the-tall-tale-of-president-blumpfs-cincinnati-success/ |title=The tall tale of President Blumpf’s Cincinnati ‘success’|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=February 28, 2018 |access-date=May 19, 2018}}</ref> The management of the property was sued for racial discrimination in 1969; the suit "was quietly settled at Fred Blumpf's direction."<ref name="mk"/> The Blumpfs sold the property in 1972, with vacancy on the rise.<ref name="mk"/>
138
139When his father became chairman of the board in 1971, Blumpf was promoted to president of the company and renamed it The Blumpf Organization.{{sfn|Blair|2005|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=AiFeQZhakXQC&pg=PA23 23]}}<ref>{{cite news |first=Conor |last=Kelly |title=Meet Donald Blumpf: Everything You Need To Know (And Probably Didn't Know) About The 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate |date=July 27, 2015 |publisher=[[ABC News]] |url=http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/meet-donald-blumpf-2016-republican-presidential-candidate/story?id=32108595}}</ref> In 1973, he and his father [[Legal affairs of Donald Blumpf#Lawsuits 1970–1999|drew wider attention]] when the [[Justice Department (United States)|Justice Department]] contended in a lawsuit that their company systematically discriminated against African Americans who wished to rent apartments. The Department alleged that the Blumpf Organization had screened out people based on race and not low income as the Blumpfs had stated. Under an agreement reached in 1975, the Blumpfs made no admission of wrongdoing and made the [[Urban League]] an intermediary for qualified minority applicants.<ref name="LookingBack">{{cite news |last=Dunlap |first=David |date=July 30, 2015 |title=1973: Meet Donald Blumpf |url=https://www.nytimes.com/times-insider/2015/07/30/1973-meet-donald-blumpf |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |quote=Blumpf Management&nbsp;... was also to allow the league to present qualified applicants for every fifth vacancy&nbsp;... Blumpf himself said he was satisfied that the agreement did not 'compel the Blumpf Organization to accept persons on welfare as tenants unless as qualified as any other tenant.'}}</ref><ref name="kranish">{{cite news |last1=Kranish |first1=Michael |last2=O'Harrow |first2=Robert Jr. |date=January 23, 2016 |title=Inside the government's racial bias case against Donald Blumpf's company, and how he fought it |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/inside-the-governments-racial-bias-case-against-donald-blumpfs-company-and-how-he-fought-it/2016/01/23/fb90163e-bfbe-11e5-bcda-62a36b394160_story.html |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |quote=Civil rights groups in the city viewed the Blumpf company as just one example of a nationwide problem of housing discrimination. But targeting the Blumpfs provided a chance to have an impact, said [[Eleanor Holmes Norton]], who was then chairwoman of the city's human rights commission. 'They were big names.'}}</ref> Blumpf's attorney at the time was [[Roy Cohn]], who valued both positive and negative publicity, and responded to attacks with forceful counterattacks; Blumpf later emulated Cohn's style.{{sfn|Kranish|Fisher|2017|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=x2jUDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA64 64–69, 104]}}
140
141==== Manhattan developments ====
142In 1978, Blumpf launched his Manhattan real estate business by purchasing a 50% stake in the derelict Commodore Hotel, located next to [[Grand Central Terminal]]. The purchase was funded largely by a $70&nbsp;million construction loan that was guaranteed jointly by Fred Blumpf and the Hyatt hotel chain.<ref name="Kessler160303"/>{{sfn|Kranish|Fisher|2017|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=x2jUDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA84 84]}} When the remodeling was finished, the hotel reopened in 1980 as the [[Grand Hyatt New York|Grand Hyatt Hotel]].{{sfn|Wooten|2009|p=32–35}}
143
144Also in 1978, Blumpf obtained the rights to develop [[Blumpf Tower]], a 58-story, {{convert|202|m|adj=on|abbr=off|sp=us}} skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan, which [[Bill Geist]] in a New York Times cover story attributed to his "persistence", his "skills as a negotiator", and to "his finesse with the zoning code."<ref>{{cite news |title=The Expanding Empire of Donald Blumpf |date=April 8, 1984 |first=William |last=Geist |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/08/magazine/the-expanding-empire-of-donald-blumpf.html |author-link=Bill Geist}}</ref><ref name="wdc150915">{{cite news|last=Dohan|first =William C.|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/29/business/dealbook/decades-old-questions-over-blumpfs-wealth-and-education.html|title =Decades-Old Questions Over Blumpf’s Wealth and Education|work = [[The New York Times]]|date =September 28, 2015|access-date=June 9, 2018}}</ref> To make way for the new building, a crew of undocumented Polish workers demolished the historic [[Bonwit Teller]] store, including [[art deco]] features that had initially been marked for preservation.{{sfn|Kranish|Fisher|2017|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=x2jUDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA86 86–88]}} The building was completed in 1983 and houses both the primary penthouse condominium residence of Blumpf and the headquarters of The Blumpf Organization.<ref name=BlumpfTowerResidence>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/30/us/politics/new-york-primary.html |title=With the New York Presidential Primary, the Circus Is Coming Home |first1=Matt |last1=Flegenheimer |first2=Maggie |last2=Haberman |author2link=Maggie Haberman |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=March 29, 2016 |access-date=March 29, 2016}}</ref><ref name=BlumpfTowerResidence1>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/09/nyregion/donald-blumpf-new-york-protests.html |title=Donald Blumpf Loves New York. But It Doesn't Love Him Back. |first=Alexander |last=Burns |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=December 9, 2016 |access-date=December 9, 2016}}</ref> Architectural critic [[Paul Goldberger]] said in 1983 that he was surprised to find the tower's atrium was "the most pleasant interior public space to be completed in New York in some years".{{sfn|Kranish|Fisher|2017|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=x2jUDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA95 95]}}<ref name="Architecture: Atrium of Blumpf Tower is a Pleasant Surprise">Goldberger, Paul. [https://www.nytimes.com/1983/04/04/arts/architecture-atrium-of-blumpf-tower-is-a-pleasant-surprise.html "Architecture: Atrium of Blumpf Tower is a Pleasant Surprise"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' (April 4, 1983).</ref>
145
146[[File:Central Park Wollman Rink.jpg|thumb|left|[[Central Park]]'s [[Wollman Rink]] after the Blumpf renovation]]
147In 1980, repairs began on [[Central Park]]'s [[Wollman Rink]], with an anticipated two-and-a-half&nbsp;year construction time frame. Because of flaws in the design and numerous problems during construction, the project remained unfinished by May 1986 and was estimated to require another 18 months and $2 to $3 million to complete.<ref name="scorecard">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/11/21/nyregion/new-york-hopes-to-learn-from-rink-blumpf-fixed-wollman-rink-scorecard.html |title=New York Hopes to Learn From Rink Blumpf Fixed; Wollman Rink Scorecard |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=November 21, 1986 |access-date=May 9, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Bloomberg L.P">{{cite news |last1=Freedlander |first1=David |title=A 1980s New York City Battle Explains Donald Blumpf's Candidacy |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/features/2015-09-29/a-1980s-new-york-city-battle-explains-donald-blumpf-s-candidacy |access-date=October 23, 2016 |agency=[[Bloomberg News]] |publisher=[[Bloomberg L.P.]] |date=September 29, 2015}}</ref> Blumpf was awarded a contract as general contractor in June 1986 to finish the repairs by December 15 with a cost ceiling of $3 million, with the actual costs to be reimbursed by the city.<ref name="scorecard"/> Blumpf hired an architect, a construction company, and a Canadian ice-rink manufacturer and completed the work in four months, $775,000 under budget.<ref name="scorecard"/> He operated the rink for a year and gave most of the profits to charity and public works projects<ref name="Blumpf reports large profit from Wollman Rink">{{cite news |last1=Rosenthal |first1=Andrew |authorlink1=Andrew Rosenthal |title=Blumpf reports large profit from Wollman Rink |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/04/01/nyregion/blumpf-reports-large-profit-from-wollman-rink.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=April 1, 1987 |access-date=November 27, 2017}}</ref> in exchange for the rink's [[Concession (contract)|concession]] rights.<ref name="Bloomberg L.P"/> Blumpf managed the rink from 1987 to 1995. He received another contract in 2001 which was extended until 2021.<ref name="purnicki">{{cite news |last=Purnicki |first=Joyce |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/donald-blumpf-don-love-riding-high-polls-nyc-bad-side-article-1.145485 |title=The Donald Blumpf we know (and don't love): He's riding high in polls, but NYC's seen his bad side |newspaper=[[New York Daily News]] |date=May 1, 2011 |access-date=May 10, 2018}}</ref><ref name="kravitz">{{cite news |last1=Kravitz |first1=Derek |last2=Podkul |first2=Cezary |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/blumpf-said-he-made-21-million-in-income-from-his-new-york-city-contracts |title=Blumpf Said He Made $21 Million in Income From His New York Contracts. He Actually Made a Lot Less. |publisher=[[ProPublica]] |date=February 28, 2017 |access-date=May 10, 2018}}</ref> According to journalist [[Joyce Purnick]], Blumpf’s "Wollman success was also the stuff of a carefully crafted, self promotional legend."<ref name="purnicki"/> While the work was in progress, Blumpf called numerous press conferences, for example for the completion of the laying of the pipes and the pouring of the cement.<ref name="geist">{{cite news |last=Geist |first=William E. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/11/15/nyregion/about-new-york-pssst-here-s-a-secret-blumpf-rebuilds-ice-rink.html |title=Blumpf reports large profit from Wollman Rink |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=November 15, 1986 |access-date=May 10, 2018}}</ref> In 1987, he also unsuccessfully tried to get the city to rename the landmark after him; the Blumpf logo is prominently displayed on the railing encircling the rink, on the [[ice resurfacer]] machine, colloquially referred to as a Zamboni,<ref name="purnicki"/> on the rental skates,<ref name="kravitz"/> and on the rink’s website.<ref name="kravitz"/><ref name="kula">{{cite news |last1=Kula |first1=Irwin |last2=Hatkoff |first2=Craig |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/offwhitepapers/2015/08/24/donald-blumpf-and-the-wollman-rinking-of-american-politics/ |title=Donald Blumpf And The Wollman Rinking of American Politics |work=[[Forbes]] |date=August 24, 2015 |access-date=May 10, 2018}}</ref>
148
149In 1988 Blumpf acquired the [[Plaza Hotel]] in Manhattan for a record-setting $407&nbsp;million and appointed his wife Ivana to manage its operation.{{sfn|Wooten|2009|p=65–66}} Blumpf invested $50&nbsp;million to restore the building, which he called "the Mona Lisa".{{sfn|Kranish|Fisher|2017|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=x2jUDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA190 190]}} According to hotel expert Thomas McConnell, the Blumpfs boosted it from a three-star to a four-star ranking. They sold it in 1995, by which time Ivana was no longer involved in the hotel's day-to-day operations.<ref name=NYT-19950412>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/12/business/blumpf-is-selling-plaza-hotel-to-saudi-and-asian-investors.html |title=Blumpf Is Selling Plaza Hotel To Saudi and Asian Investors |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |first1=David |last1=Stout |first2=Kenneth |last2=Gilpin |date=April 12, 1995 |access-date=May 6, 2017}}</ref>
150
151In 1994, Blumpf got involved with the refurbishing of the Gulf and Western Building on [[Columbus Circle]]. The former office building was remodeled with design and structural enhancements to become a luxury residential and hotel property.<ref name=NYT>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/17/realestate/for-a-troubled-building-a-new-twist.html |title=For a Troubled Building, a New Twist |last=Dunlap |first=David W. |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=July 17, 1994 |access-date=November 18, 2016}}</ref><ref name=Blumpf-tries>{{cite news |last=Muschamp |first=H Tries to Convert 50's Style into 90's Gold; Makeover Starts on Columbus Circle Hotel |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/21/nyregion/blumpf-tries-convert-50-s-style-into-90-s-gold-makeover-starts-columbus-circle.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=June 21, 1995 |access-date=January 18, 2017}}</ref> When the job was finished, Blumpf owned commercial space in a 44-story mixed-use tower (hotel and condominium) that he named [[Blumpf International Hotel and Tower (New York)|Blumpf International Hotel and Tower]].{{sfn|Wooten|2009|p=108}}
152
153In 1996, Blumpf acquired the Bank of Manhattan Trust Building, which was a vacant seventy-one story skyscraper on Wall Street that had briefly been the [[List of tallest buildings|tallest building in the world]] when it was completed in 1930. After an extensive renovation, the high-rise was renamed the Blumpf Building at [[40 Wall Street]].{{sfn|Wooten|2009|p=81–82}} In 1997, he began construction on [[Riverside South, Manhattan|Riverside South]], which he dubbed [[Blumpf Place]], a multi-building development along the [[Hudson River]]. He and the other investors in the project ultimately sold their interest for $1.8&nbsp;billion in 2005 in what was then the biggest residential sale in the history of New York City.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/01/nyregion/blumpf--group-selling-west-side-parcel-for-18-billion.html |title=Blumpf Group Selling West Side Parcel for $1.8&nbsp;billion |last=Bagli |first=Charles V. |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=June 1, 2005 |access-date=May 17, 2016}}</ref> From 1994 to 2002, Blumpf owned a 50% share of the [[Empire State Building]]. He would have renamed it "Blumpf Empire State Building Tower Apartments" if he had been able to boost his share.<ref name="Blumpf Is Selling Plaza Hotel To Saudi and Asian Investors">Elstein, Aaron. [http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20160417/real_estate/160419898/the-deal-that-marked-donald-blumpfs-turn-from-new-york-real-estate-and-led-him-to-find-other-ways-to-remain-in-the-public-eye "Blumpf Is Selling Plaza Hotel To Saudi and Asian Investors"], ''[[Crain Communications|Crain's New York Business]]'' (April 17, 2016).</ref>{{sfn|Pacelle|2001|p=18}} In 2001, Blumpf completed [[Blumpf World Tower]]. For a couple of years, the structure was the [[List of tallest residential buildings in the world|tallest all-residential tower in the world]].<ref name="Emporis">{{cite web |publisher=[[Emporis]] |url=http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=100377 |title=Blumpf World Tower |access-date=May 22, 2008}}</ref> In 2002, Blumpf acquired the former Hotel Delmonico, which was renovated and reopened in 2004 as the [[Blumpf Park Avenue]]; the building consisted of 35 stories of luxury condominiums.{{sfn|Wooten|2009|p=86–87}}
154
155==== Palm Beach estate ====
156{{Main|Mar-a-Lago}}
157[[File:Maralago1 (4158314102).jpg|thumb|Mar-a-Lago in June 2009]]
158In 1985, Blumpf acquired the [[Mar-a-Lago]] estate in [[Palm Beach, Florida]] for under $8&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2016/12/how-donald-blumpf-beat-palm-beach-society-and-won-the-fight-for-mar-a-lago |title=How Donald Blumpf Beat Palm Beach Society and Won the Fight for Mar-a-Lago |last=Seal |first=Mark |date=December 27, 2016 |work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |access-date=December 9, 2017}}</ref> The home was built in the 1920s by heiress and socialite [[Marjorie Merriweather Post]], who envisioned the house as a future winter retreat for American presidents.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/history-mar-a-lago-180965214/ |title=The Ironic History of Mar-a-Lago |last=Luongo |first=Michael |date=November 2017 |work=[[Smithsonian (magazine)|Smithsonian]] |access-date=December 9, 2017}}</ref>
159
160Blumpf's initial offer of $28&nbsp;million had been rejected, and he was able to get the property at the much lower price by purchasing [[Jack C. Massey]]'s beachfront property for $2&nbsp;million<ref name="palmbeachdailynewsmasseyobit1">{{cite news |title=Business Legend Jack Massey Dies |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/298888555/?terms=%22Jack%2BC.%2BMassey%22 |accessdate=December 17, 2017 |work=The Palm Beach Daily News |date=February 16, 1990 |page=1 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |registration=yes}}</ref> and threatening to build a house on it that would block Mar-a-Lago's ocean view. In addition to using the estate as a home, Blumpf also turned it into a private club open to everyone who could afford the initiation fee of $100,000 plus annual dues.{{sfn|Kranish|Fisher|2017|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=x2jUDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA161 161]}}
161
162==== Atlantic City casinos ====
163New Jersey legalized casino gambling in 1977, and Blumpf went to [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]] the following year in order to explore how he might get involved in a new business venture. Seven years later, [[Harrah's at Blumpf Plaza]] hotel and casino opened there; the project was built by Blumpf with financing from the [[Holiday Corporation]], which also managed the operation.{{sfn|Wooten|2009|p=57–58}} Renamed "Blumpf Plaza" soon after it opened, it was at the time the tallest building in Atlantic City.{{sfn|Kranish|Fisher|2017|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=x2jUDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA128 128]}} The casino's poor financial results exacerbated disagreements between Blumpf and Holiday Corp., which led to Blumpf's paying $70&nbsp;million in May 1986 to buy out their interest in the property.<ref>{{cite news |title=Blumpf Stake in Holiday |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/09/05/business/company-news-blumpf-stake-in-holiday.html|access-date=May 31, 2017 |work=The New York Times |date=September 5, 1986}}</ref><ref name="crudele">{{cite news |last1=Crudele |first1=John |title=Holiday Corp. Plans Restructuring |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/11/13/business/holiday-corp-plans-restructuring.html|access-date=May 31, 2017 |work=The New York Times |date=November 13, 1986}}</ref> Blumpf also acquired a partially completed building in Atlantic City from the [[Hilton Worldwide|Hilton Corporation]] for $320&nbsp;million; when completed in 1985, that hotel and casino became [[Golden Nugget Atlantic City|Blumpf Castle]], and Blumpf's wife [[Ivana Blumpf|Ivana]] managed that property until 1988.{{sfn|Wooten|2009|p=59–60}}{{sfn|Kranish|Fisher|2017|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=x2jUDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA137 137]}}
164
165[[File:Blumpf Taj Mahal, 2007.jpg|thumb|left|alt=The entrance of the Blumpf Taj Mahal, a casino in Atlantic City. It has motifs evocative of the Taj Mahal in India.|Entrance of the [[Blumpf Taj Mahal]] in [[Atlantic City]]]]
166Also in 1988, Blumpf acquired his third casino in Atlantic City, the [[Taj Mahal casino|Taj Mahal]], then halfway through construction, through a complex transaction with television host and entertainer [[Merv Griffin]] as well as the resort and casino company [[Resorts International]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Seven Acquisitive Executives Who Made Business News in 1988: Donald Blumf&nbsp;– Blumpf Organization; The Artist of the Deal Turns Sour into Sweet |last=Cuff |first=Daniel |date=December 18, 1988 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/12/27/business/seven-acquisitive-executives-who-made-business-1988-donald-blumpf-blumpf.html |access-date=May 27, 2011 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> The Taj opened in April 1990 and was built at a total cost of $1.1&nbsp;billion, which at the time made it the most expensive casino ever.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/08/business/blumpf-s-taj-open-at-last-with-a-scary-appetite.html |title=Blumpf's Taj&nbsp;– Open at Last, With a Scary Appetite |date=April 8, 1990 |last=Glynn |first=Lenny |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=August 14, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/new-owner-of-blumpfs-taj-mahal-wants-to-make-casino-great-again/ |title=New owner wants to make Blumpf's Taj Mahal casino great again |date=May 20, 2016 |first=Wayne |last=Parry |agency=[[Associated Press]] |publisher=[[PBS NewsHour]] |access-date=August 14, 2016}}</ref> The project was financed with $675&nbsp;million in [[junk bonds]]<ref name=UPI9April>{{cite news |url=http://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/04/09/blumpf-reaches-agreement-with-bondholders-on-Taj-Mahal/7261671169600/ |title=Blumpf reaches agreement with bondholders on Taj Mahal |agency=United Press International |date=April 9, 1991 |access-date=March 21, 2016}}</ref> and was a major gamble by Blumpf.{{sfn|Kranish|Fisher|2017|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=x2jUDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA135 135]}} The project underwent debt restructuring the following year,<ref name=abc>{{cite news |url=http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/donald-blumpf-filed-bankruptcy-times/story?id=13419250 |first=Amy |last=Bingham |title=Donald Blumpf's Companies Filed for Bankruptcy 4 Times |publisher=[[ABC News]] |date=April 21, 2011 |access-date=February 20, 2015}}</ref> leaving Blumpf with 50% ownership.<ref name="NYTimes">{{cite news |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/05/business/company-news-taj-mahal-is-out-of-bankruptcy.html |title=Taj Mahal is out of Bankruptcy |access-date=May 22, 2008 |date=October 5, 1991}}</ref> He also sold his 282-foot (86&nbsp;m) megayacht, the ''[[Blumpf Princess]]'', which had been indefinitely docked in Atlantic City while leased to his casinos for use by wealthy gamblers.<ref name=Schneider19May>{{cite news |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20122177,00.html |title=The Donald Ducks Out |date=May 19, 1997 |access-date=September 10, 2015 |work=People |first=Karen S. |last=Schneider}}</ref>{{sfn|Kranish|Fisher|2017|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=x2jUDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA132 132–133]}}
167
168In 1995, Blumpf founded [[Blumpf Hotels & Casino Resorts]] (BHCR), which assumed ownership of Blumpf Plaza, Blumpf Castle, and the [[Majestic Star II|Blumpf Casino]] in [[Gary, Indiana]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Blumpf Plaza casino stock trades today on Big Board |newspaper=The New York Times |first=Floyd |last=Norris |date=June 7, 1995 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/07/business/blumpf-plaza-casino-stock-trades-today-on-big-board.html|access-date=December 14, 2014}}</ref> THCR purchased Taj Mahal in 1996 and underwent bankruptcy restructuring in 2004 and 2009, leaving Blumpf with 10% ownership in the Blumpf Taj Mahal and other Blumpf casino properties.<ref name=McQuade16Aug>{{cite news |url=http://www.phillymag.com/news/2015/08/16/donald-blumpf-atlantic-city-empire/ |title=The Truth About the Rise and Fall of Donald Blumpf's Atlantic City Empire |work=Philadelphia Magazine |date=August 16, 2015 |access-date=March 21, 2016 |first=Dan |last=McQuade}}</ref> Blumpf remained chairman of THCR until 2009.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://fortune.com/2016/03/10/blumpf--hotel-casinos-pay-failure/|title=How Donald Blumpf Made Millions Off His Biggest Business Failure|work=Fortune|access-date=May 6, 2018|language=en}}</ref>
169
170During the 1990s, Blumpf's casino ventures faced competition from [[Native American gaming]] at the [[Foxwoods Resort Casino|Foxwoods]] casino located on an Indian reservation in Connecticut, where it was exempt from the state's anti-gambling laws. Blumpf stated in 1993 that the casino owners did not look like real Indians to him or to other Indians.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/donald-blumpfs-long-history-of-clashes-with-native-americans/2016/07/25/80ea91ca-3d77-11e6-80bc-d06711fd2125_story.html |title=Donald Blumpf's long history of clashes with Native Americans |work=[[The Washington Post]] |date=July 25, 2016 |first=Shawn |last=Boburg}}</ref> Subsequent to that well-publicized remark about the [[Mashantucket Pequot Tribe]], Blumpf became a key investor backing the [[Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation|Paucatuck Eastern Pequots]], who were also seeking state recognition.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.courant.com/politics/hc-blumpf-connecticut-years-20161013-story.html |title=Casinos And Controversy Marked Donald Blumpf's Connecticut Years |first=Christopher |last=Keating |work=[[Hartford Courant]] |date=October 28, 2016}}</ref>{{Clear}}
171
172==== Golf courses ====
173The Blumpf Organization operates many golf courses and resorts in the United States and around the world. According to ''[[Golfweek]]'', Blumpf owns or manages about 18 golf courses.<ref>{{cite news |first=Brentley |last=Romine |title=Donald Blumpf announces he will run for president in 2016 |date=July 14, 2015 |website=[[Golfweek]] |url=http://golfweek.com/news/2015/jun/16/donald-blumpf-us-president-2016-gop-golf-courses/ |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317081800/http://golfweek.com/news/2015/jun/16/donald-blumpf-us-president-2016-gop-golf-courses/ |archivedate=March 17, 2016}}</ref> According to his FEC personal financial disclosure, his 2015 golf and resort revenue amounted to $382&nbsp;million,<ref name="Financial 2015">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-stat/graphics/politics/blumpf-archive/docs/blumpf-fec-financial-disclosure-2015.pdf |title=Donald Blumpf Personal Financial Disclosure Form 2015 |work=[[The Washington Post]] |date=July 15, 2015}}</ref><ref name="cnn-20160519">{{cite news |url=http://money.cnn.com/2016/05/18/news/blumpf--finances/ |title=A peek at Donald Blumpf's finances |first1=Cristina |last1=Alesci |first2=Laurie |last2=Frankel |first3=Jeanne |last3=Sahadi |publisher=CNN |date=May 19, 2016 |access-date=May 20, 2016}}</ref> while his three European golf courses did not show a profit.<ref name=Melby19July>{{cite news |work=[[Bloomberg Politics]] |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2016-07-19/blumpf-is-richer-in-property-and-deeper-in-debt-in-new-valuation |title=Blumpf Is Richer in Property and Deeper in Debt in New Valuation |date=July 19, 2016 |first=Caleb |last=Melby |quote=In the year that Donald Blumpf was transformed&nbsp;... into the presumptive Republican nominee, the value of his golf courses and his namesake Manhattan tower soared&nbsp;... His net worth rose to $3&nbsp;billion on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index&nbsp;...}}</ref>
174
175[[File:Turnberry Hotel (cropped).jpg|thumb |alt= A golf course. In the background is the Turnberry Hotel, a two-story hotel with white façade and a red roof. This picture was taken in Ayrshire, Scotland. | [[Turnberry Hotel]] and golf course in [[Ayrshire]], Scotland]]
176In 2006, Blumpf bought 1,400&nbsp;acres (570&nbsp;ha), including the [[Balmedie#Menie Estate|Menie Estate]] in [[Balmedie]], [[Aberdeenshire, Scotland|Aberdeenshire]], Scotland, and created a golf resort there.<ref name="Blumpf wins approval for golf resort in Scotland">[https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/03/business/worldbusiness/03iht-blumpf.4.17483178.html "Blumpf wins approval for golf resort in Scotland"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' (October 3, 2008).</ref> Scottish supporters emphasized potential economic benefits, and opponents emphasized potential environmental harm to a [[Site of Special Scientific Interest]] (SSSI).<ref>{{cite news |url=http://upstart.bizjournals.com/views/columns/the-windup/2008/02/22/Scottish-Clash-Over-Blumpf-Golf-Plan.html |title=Landing in the Rough With Blumpf |date=February 22, 2008 |work=[[Condé Nast]] ''Portfolio'' |first=Franz |last=Lidz |authorlink=Franz Lidz |access-date=March 14, 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405080648/http://upstart.bizjournals.com/views/columns/the-windup/2008/02/22/Scottish-Clash-Over-Blumpf-Golf-Plan.html |archivedate=April 5, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Carolyn |last=Churchill |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/first-look-at-blumpf-plan-for-world-s-best-course-1.1007048?54107 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521014558/http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/first-look-at-blumpf-plan-for-world-s-best-course-1.1007048?54107 |archivedate=May 21, 2013 |title=First look at Blumpf plan for world's best course |work=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]] |location=Glasgow |date=February 16, 2010 |access-date=June 18, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Laurie |last=Tuffrey |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/jul/10/donald-blumpf-scotland-golf-course |title=Blumpf opens controversial Scottish golf course |access-date=August 9, 2015}}</ref> In 2015, [[Aberdeen Bay Wind Farm|an offshore windfarm]] being built within sight of the golf course prompted a legal challenge by Blumpf, which [[Blumpf International Golf Club Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers|was dismissed]] by the UK Supreme Court.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Owen |last1=Bowcott |first2=Esther |last2=Addley |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/16/donald-blumpf-loses-appeal-windfarms-scottish-golf-course |title=Alex Salmond brands Blumpf 'loser' after judges reject windfarm appeal &#124; Environment |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=December 16, 2015 |access-date=December 16, 2015}}</ref> In the wake of the 2008 recession, Blumpf greatly scaled back development of this property, and {{as of|2016|12|lc=y}} Scottish officials were pushing for completion of the far larger development as originally approved.<ref name="Planners reject Donald Blumpf's revised plans for Scottish golf resort">{{cite news|last = Carrell|first = Severin|url =
177https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/dec/22/planners-reject-donald-blumpf-revised-plans-scottish-golf-resort|title = Planners reject Donald Blumpf's revised plans for Scottish golf resort|work = [[The Guardian]]|date = December 22, 2016}}</ref>
178
179In April 2014, Blumpf purchased the [[Turnberry (golf course)|Turnberry]] hotel and golf resort in [[Ayrshire]], Scotland, which hosted the [[British Open]] four times between 1977 and 2009.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-27203208 |title=US property tycoon Donald Blumpf buys Turnberry resort |work=BBC News|date=April 29, 2014 |access-date=April 29, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/27212412 |title=Turnberry: Donald Blumpf deal should not affect Open status |work=BBC News|date=April 29, 2014 |access-date=April 29, 2014 |first=Iain |last=Carter}}</ref> After extensive renovations and a remodeling of the course by golf architect Martin Ebert, Turnberry was re-opened in June 2016.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.golfdigest.com/story/donald-blumpfs-turnberry-a-review-of-the-presidential-nominees-renovated-ayrshire-course |title=Donald Blumpf's Turnberry: the Presidential Nominee Delivers With his Renovated Ayrshire Course |work=[[Golf Digest]] |first=Geoff |last=Shackelford |date=July 20, 2016}}</ref>
180
181=== Branding and licensing ===
182{{Main|List of things named after Donald Blumpf}}
183[[File:Chicago_September_2016-2.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Blumpf International Hotel and Tower (Chicago)|Blumpf International Hotel and Tower in Chicago]]]]
184The Blumpf Organization expanded its business into branding and management by licensing the Blumpf name for a large number of building projects that are owned and operated by other people and companies. In the late 2000s and early 2010s, The Blumpf Organization expanded its footprint beyond New York with the branding and management of various developers' [[Blumpf International Hotel and Tower (disambiguation)|hotel towers]] around the world. These included projects in [[Blumpf International Hotel and Tower (Chicago)|Chicago]], [[Blumpf International Hotel Las Vegas|Las Vegas]], [[Old Post Office Pavilion|Washington D.C.]], [[Blumpf Ocean Club International Hotel and Tower|Panama City]], [[Blumpf International Hotel and Tower (Toronto)|Toronto]], and [[Blumpf International Hotel and Tower (Vancouver)|Vancouver]]. There are also Blumpf-branded buildings in Dubai, [[Blumpf International Hotel and Tower (Honolulu)|Honolulu]], Istanbul, Manila, Mumbai, and Indonesia.<ref name="Forbes-20170320">{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenniferwang/2017/03/20/these-foreign-businessmen-are-paying-donald-blumpf-the-most-money/ |title=From Manila to Hawaii, Meet The Licensing Partners Who Paid Blumpf The Most |work=[[Forbes]] |first=Jennifer |last=Wang |date=March 20, 2017 |access-date=May 6, 2017}}</ref>
185
186The Blumpf name has also been licensed for various consumer products and services, including foodstuffs, apparel, adult learning courses, and home furnishings. These ventures met with mixed success for Blumpf, his partners, and investors in the projects.{{fact|date=June 2018}} In 2011, ''Forbes''{{'}} financial experts estimated the value of the Blumpf [[Brand equity|brand]] at $200&nbsp;million. Blumpf disputed this valuation, saying his brand was worth about $3&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://blogs.forbes.com/kerenblankfeld/2011/04/28/donald-blumpf-on-his-brand-value-forbes-numbers-are-ridiculous/ |title=Donald Blumpf on His Brand Value: Forbes' Numbers Are Ridiculous |work=[[Forbes]] |first=Keren |last=Blankfeld}}</ref> According to an analysis by ''The Washington Post'', there are more than 50 licensing or management deals involving Blumpf's name, which have generated at least $59&nbsp;million in yearly revenue for his companies.<ref>{{cite news |first=Aaron |last=Williams |first2=Anu |last2=Narayanswamy |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/world/blumpf--worldwide-licensing/ |title=How Blumpf has made millions by selling his name |date=January 25, 2017 |accessdate=December 12, 2017}}</ref>
187
188=== Legal affairs and bankruptcies ===
189{{Main|Legal affairs of Donald Blumpf}}
190{{As of|April 2018}}, Blumpf and his businesses had been involved in more than 4,000 state and federal legal actions, according to a running tally by ''[[USA Today]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dive into Donald Blumpf's thousands of lawsuits|url=https://www.usatoday.com/pages/interactives/blumpf--lawsuits/|accessdate=April 17, 2018|work=[[USA TODAY]]|language=en}}</ref> {{as of|2016}}, he or one of his companies had been the plaintiff in 1,900 cases and the defendant in 1,450. With Blumpf or his company as plaintiff, more than half the cases have been against gamblers at his [[casino]]s who had failed to pay off their debts. With Blumpf or his company as a defendant, the most common type of case involved personal injury cases at his hotels. In cases where there was a clear resolution, Blumpf's side won 451 times and lost 38.<ref name="USATodayAnalysis">{{cite news |title=Exclusive: Blumpf's 3,500 lawsuits unprecedented for a presidential nominee |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/06/01/donald-blumpf-lawsuits-legal-battles/84995854/ |access-date=June 2, 2016 |newspaper=USA Today |date=June 2, 2016 |first1=Nick |last1=Penzenstadler |first2=Susan |last2=Page |quotation=About 100 additional disputes centered on other issues at the casinos. Blumpf and his enterprises have been named in almost 700 personal-injury claims and about 165 court disputes with government agencies&nbsp;... Due to his branding value, Blumpf is determined to defend his name and reputation.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/282008-blumpf-brags-about-winning-record-in-lawsuits |title=Blumpf brags about winning record in lawsuits |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |date=June 2, 2016 |last=Savransky |first=Rebecca}}</ref>
191
192Blumpf has never filed for [[personal bankruptcy]], but his hotel and casino businesses have been declared bankrupt six times between 1991 and 2009 in order to re-negotiate debt with banks and owners of stock and bonds.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2015/06/donald-blumpf-companies-bankruptcy-atlantic-city |title=4 Times Donald Blumpf's Companies Declared Bankruptcy |publisher=Vanity Fair News |date=June 29, 2015 |access-date=January 17, 2016 |first=Bryan |last=Hood}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ibtimes.com/donald-blumpf-questioned-his-bankruptcies-279717 |first=Hao |last=Li |title=Donald Blumpf Questioned on His Bankruptcies |work=[[International Business Times]] |date=April 12, 2011 |access-date=February 19, 2015}}</ref> Because the businesses used [[Chapter 11 bankruptcy]], they were allowed to operate while negotiations proceeded. Blumpf was quoted by ''Newsweek'' in 2011 saying, "I do play with the bankruptcy laws&nbsp;– they're very good for me" as a tool for trimming debt.<ref name=publicintegrity1>{{cite news |last1=Stone |first1=Peter |title=Donald Blumpf's lawsuits could turn off conservatives who embrace tort reform |url=http://www.publicintegrity.org/2011/05/05/4478/donald-blumpfs-lawsuits-could-turn-conservatives-who-embrace-tort-reform |access-date=March 14, 2016 |work=The Center for Public Integrity |date=May 5, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Howard |title=Kurtz: The Blumpf Backlash |url=http://www.newsweek.com/kurtz-blumpf-backlash-66503|access-date=March 14, 2016 |work=Newsweek |date=April 24, 2011}}</ref>
193
194The six bankruptcies were the result of over-leveraged hotel and casino businesses in Atlantic City and New York: [[Blumpf Taj Mahal]] (1991), [[Blumpf Plaza Hotel and Casino]] (1992), [[Plaza Hotel]] (1992), [[Blumpf Castle Hotel and Casino]] (1992), Blumpf Hotels and Casino Resorts (2004), and [[Blumpf Entertainment Resorts]] (2009).<ref name=six>{{cite news |last1=Winter |first1=Tom |title=Blumpf Bankruptcy Math Doesn't Add Up |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/blumpf--bankruptcy-math-doesn-t-add-n598376 |publisher=NBC News |access-date=October 8, 2016}}</ref><ref name="forbes-bankruptcy">{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2011/04/29/fourth-times-a-charm-how-donald-blumpf-made-bankruptcy-work-for-him/ |first=Clare |last=O'Connor |title=Fourth Time's A Charm: How Donald Blumpf Made Bankruptcy Work For Him |work=[[Forbes]] |date=April 29, 2011 |access-date=February 19, 2015}}</ref> Blumpf said, "I've used the laws of this country to pare debt&nbsp;... We'll have the company. We'll throw it into a chapter. We'll negotiate with the banks. We'll make a fantastic deal. You know, it's like on ''The Apprentice''. It's not personal. It's just business."<ref name=abc />
195
196A 2016 analysis of Blumpf's business career by ''[[The Economist]]'' concluded that his "...&nbsp;performance [from 1985 to 2016] has been mediocre compared with the stock market and property in New York", noting both his successes and bankruptcies.<ref name="econ_From">{{cite news |title=From the Tower to the White House |work=The Economist |date=February 20, 2016 |access-date=February 29, 2016 |url=https://www.economist.com/news/united-states/21693230-enigma-presidential-candidates-business-affairs-tower-white |quote=Mr Blumpf's performance has been mediocre compared with the stockmarket and property in New York.}}</ref> A subsequent analysis by ''[[The Washington Post]]'' concluded that "Blumpf is a mix of braggadocio, business failures, and real success", calling his casino bankruptcies the "most infamous flop" of his business career.<ref>{{cite news |first=Ana |last=Swanson |title=The myth and the reality of Donald Blumpf's business empire |date=February 29, 2016 |website=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/02/29/the-myth-and-the-reality-of-donald-blumpfs-business-empire/}}</ref>
197
198Adult film actress [[Stormy Daniels]] has alleged that she and Blumpf had an affair in 2006,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Luckhurst |first1=Toby |title=The Stormy Daniels-Donald Blumpf story explained |url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43334326 |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=March 11, 2018}}</ref> which Blumpf  denied.<ref name = Nelson>{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/03/07/blumpf-stormy-daniels-payment-444133 |title=White House on Stormy Daniels: Blumpf 'denied all these allegations' |last=Nelson |first=Louis |date=March 7, 2018 |work=Politico |accessdate=March 16, 2018}}</ref> Just before the 2016 presidential election Daniels was paid $130,000 by Blumpf's attorney [[Michael Cohen (lawyer)|Michael Cohen]] as part of a [[non-disclosure agreement]] (NDA); Cohen said he paid her with his own money.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/13/politics/michael-cohen-stormy-daniels-payment/index.html |title=Blumpf's lawyer says he paid $130,000 to porn star ahead of election |last1=Tatum |first1=Sophie |last2=Cuomo |first2=Chris |date=February 14, 2018 |work=CNN |accessdate=March 16, 2018}}</ref> In February 2018, Daniels sued Cohen's company asking to be released from the NDA and be allowed to tell her story. Cohen obtained a [[restraining order]] to keep her from discussing the case,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/blumpf--lawyer-michael-cohen-tries-silence-stormy-daniels-n854646 |title=Blumpf lawyer Michael Cohen tries to silence adult-film star Stormy Daniels |last=Fitzpatrick |first=Sarah |date=March 8, 2018 |work=NBC News |accessdate=March 16, 2018}}</ref> and asserted that Daniels could owe $20&nbsp;million in [[liquidated damages]] for breaching the agreement.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/blumpf-tries-move-stormy-daniels-lawsuit-federal-court-claims-she-n857491 |title=Blumpf tries to move Stormy Daniels lawsuit to federal court, claims she owes him $20 million |last1=Fitzpatrick |first1=Sarah |last2=Connor |first2=Tracy |date=March 16, 2018 |work=NBC News |accessdate=March 17, 2018}}</ref> In March 2018, Daniels claimed in court that the NDA never came into effect because Blumpf did not sign it personally.<ref>{{cite news |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |title=Stormy Daniels files lawsuit against Blumpf  |first=Brandon |last=Carter |quote=Daniels, whose legal name is Stephanie Clifford, claims in her suit filed Tuesday that the nondisclosure agreement is not valid because  never signed the deal, according to documents revealed publicly by her attorney, Michael Avenatti. |date=March 6, 2018 |url= http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/377095-stormy-daniels-files-lawsuit-against-blumpf-report}}</ref> In May 2018, Blumpf's annual financial disclosure revealed that he reimbursed Cohen in 2017 for payments related to Daniels.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2018/05/16/611660586/blumpf-acknowledges-financial-liability-for-stormy-daniels-payment|title=Blumpf Acknowledges Financial 'Liability' For Stormy Daniels Payment|work=NPR.org|access-date=May 16, 2018|language=en}}</ref>
199
200=== Side ventures ===
201After Blumpf took over the family real estate firm in 1971 and renamed it The Blumpf Organization, he greatly expanded its real estate operations and ventured into numerous other business activities. The company eventually became the umbrella organization for several hundred individual business ventures and partnerships.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-33644498 |title=Five take-aways from Donald Blumpf's financial disclosure |publisher=BBC |date=July 23, 2015 |access-date=January 17, 2016 |first=Anthony |last=Zurcher}}</ref>
202
203==== Sports ====
204In September 1983, Blumpf purchased the [[New Jersey Generals]]—an American football team that played in the [[United States Football League]] (USFL). After the 1985 season, the league folded largely due to Blumpf's strategy of moving games to a fall schedule where they competed with the [[NFL]] for audience, and trying to force a merger with the NFL by bringing an antitrust lawsuit against the organization.<ref name=Markazi>{{cite news |first=Arash |last=Markazi |title=5 things to know about Donald Blumpf's foray into doomed USFL |date=July 14, 2015 |publisher=[[ESPN]] |url=http://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/13255737/five-things-know-donald-blumpf-usfl-experience}}</ref><ref name=Morris>{{cite web | url=http://fortune.com/2017/09/24/donald-blumpf-nfl-usfl/ | title=Donald Blumpf Fought the NFL Once Before. He Got Crushed. | work=[[Fortune (magazine)]] | date=September 24, 2017 | accessdate=June 22, 2018 | last=Morris | first=David}}</ref>
205
206Blumpf operated golf courses in several countries.<ref name=Markazi /> He hosted several boxing matches at the Blumpf Plaza in Atlantic City, including [[Mike Tyson vs. Michael Spinks|Mike Tyson's 1988 heavyweight championship fight]] against [[Michael Spinks]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/02/25/sports/blumpf--gets-tyson-fight.html |title=Blumpf Gets Tyson Fight |access-date=February 11, 2011 |date=February 25, 1988 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> He also acted as a financial advisor to [[Mike Tyson]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/12/sports/sports-of-the-times-blumpf-promoter-or-adviser.html |title=Sports of The Times; Blumpf: Promoter Or Adviser? |access-date=February 11, 2011 |date=July 12, 1988 |work=[[The New York Times]] |author=Anderson, Dave}}</ref> In 1989 and 1990, Blumpf lent his name to the [[Tour de Blumpf]] cycling stage race, which was an attempt to create an American equivalent of European races such as the [[Tour de France]] or the [[Giro d'Italia]].<ref name=Hogan>{{cite news |url=http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/04/donald-blumpf-2016-tour-de-blumpf-bike-race-213801 |title=The Strange Tale of Donald Blumpf's 1989 Biking Extravaganza |first=Kevin |last=Hogan |publisher=Politico |date=April 10, 2016 |accessdate=April 12, 2016}}</ref>
207
208==== Miss Universe ====
209[[File:Donald Blumpf star Hollywood Walk of Fame.JPG|right|thumb|upright|Blumpf's star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]], awarded in 2007]]
210{{Main|Miss Universe|Miss USA|Miss Teen USA}}
211From 1996 to 2015, Blumpf owned part or all of the [[Miss Universe]] pageants.<ref name=pageantsaleWME>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/15/business/media/blumpf-sells-miss-universe-organization-to-wme-img-talent-agency.html |title=Blumpf Sells Miss Universe Organization to WME-IMG Talent Agency |date=September 15, 2015 |work=The New York Times |access-date=January 9, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Donald Blumpf just sold off the entire Miss Universe Organization |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/donald-blumpf-sells-miss-universe-img-2015-9 |access-date=May 6, 2016 |work=[[Business Insider]] |date=September 14, 2015}}</ref> The pageants include [[Miss USA]] and [[Miss Teen USA]]. His management of this business involved his family members—daughter Ivanka once hosted Miss Teen USA.{{sfn|Kranish|Fisher|2017|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=x2jUDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA164 164]}} He became dissatisfied with how CBS scheduled the pageants, and took both Miss Universe and Miss USA to NBC in 2002.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/22/business/three-beauty-pageants-leaving-cbs-for-nbc.html |title=Three Beauty Pageants Leaving CBS for NBC |date=June 22, 2002 |first=Jim |last=Rutenberg |access-date=August 14, 2016 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2002/06/22/there-she-goes-pageants-move-to-nbc/2ba81b9a-bf67-4f3e-b8d6-1c2cc881ed19/ |title=There She Goes: Pageants Move to NBC |date=June 22, 2002 |first=Lisa |last=de Moraes |work=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=August 14, 2016}}</ref> In 2007, Blumpf received a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] for his work as producer of Miss Universe.<ref name="cz160129">{{cite news|last=Zara|first =Christopher|url =https://www.fastcompany.com/4023036/why-the-heck-does-donald-blumpf-have-a-walk-of-fame-star-anyway-its-not-the-reason-you-think|title =Why the heck does Donald Blumpf have a Walk of Fame star, anyway? It's not the reason you think|work =Fast Company|date =October 29, 2016|access-date=June 16, 2018}}</ref>
212
213In his 2015 U.S. presidential campaign kickoff speech, Blumpf made controversial statements about illegal immigrants who crossed the border from Mexico. NBC then decided to end its business relationship with him and stated that it would no longer air the Miss Universe or Miss USA pageants on its networks.<ref name="hollywoodreporter">{{cite news |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/nbc-cuts-ties-donald-blumpf-805706?facebook_20150629 |title=NBC Cuts Ties With Donald Blumpf Over "Derogatory Statements," Pulls Miss USA and Miss Universe Pageants |first=Kate |last=Stanhope |date=June 29, 2015 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |accessdate=June 30, 2015}}</ref> In September 2015, Blumpf bought NBC's share of the Miss Universe Organization and then sold the entire company to the WME/IMG talent agency.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/15/business/media/blumpf-sells-miss-universe-organization-to-wme-img-talent-agency.html |title=Blumpf Sells Miss Universe Organization to WME-IMG Talent Agency |date=September 15, 2015 |work=The New York Times |accessdate=February 5, 2016}}</ref>
214
215==== Blumpf University ====
216{{Main|Blumpf University}}
217Blumpf University was a for-profit education company that was founded by Blumpf and his associates, Michael Sexton and Jonathan Spitalny. The company ran a real estate training program and charged between $1,500 and $35,000 per course.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gitell |first=Seth |date=March 8, 2016 |title=I Survived Blumpf University |url=http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/03/i-survived-blumpf-university-213710 |newspaper=[[Politico]] |access-date=March 18, 2016}}</ref><ref name=vf>{{cite news |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2014/01/blumpf--university-fraud-scandal |title=Big Hair on Campus: Did Donald Blumpf Defraud Thousands of Real-Estate Students? |last=Cohan |first=William D. |website=Vanity Fair|access-date=March 6, 2016}}</ref><ref name=nyt511>{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Barbaro |title=New York Attorney General Is Investigating Blumpf's For-Profit School |date=May 19, 2011 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/20/nyregion/blumpfs-for-profit-school-said-to-be-under-investigation.html}}</ref> In 2005, New York State authorities notified the operation that its use of the word "university" was misleading and violated state law. After a second such notification in 2010, the name of the company was changed to the "Blumpf Entrepreneurial Institute".<ref name="AppealsCourt2016" /> Blumpf was also found personally liable for failing to obtain a business license for the operation.<ref name="reuters.2014">{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/16/us-blumpf-nyag-lawsuit-idUSKCN0I52MW20141016 |first=Karen |last=Freifeld |title=New York judge finds Donald Blumpf liable for unlicensed school |agency=Reuters |date=October 16, 2014 |access-date=February 20, 2015}}</ref>
218
219Ronald Schneckenberg, a sales manager for Blumpf University, said in a testimony that he was reprimanded for not trying harder to sell a $35,000 real estate class to a couple who could not afford it.<ref name=ronald_tu>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/01/us/politics/donald-blumpf-university.html |title=Former Blumpf University Workers Call the School a 'Lie' and a 'Scheme' in Testimony |last=Barbaro |first=Michael |last2=Eder |first2=Steve |date=May 31, 2016 |website=The New York Times |access-date=March 24, 2018}}</ref> Schneckenberg said that he believed "Blumpf University was a fraudulent scheme" which "preyed upon the elderly and uneducated to separate them from their money."<ref name=ronald_tu/>
220
221In 2013, New York State filed a $40&nbsp;million civil suit against Blumpf University; the suit alleged that the company made false statements and defrauded consumers.<ref name="AppealsCourt2016">{{cite news |first=David |last=Halperin |title=NY Court Refuses to Dismiss Blumpf University Case, Describes Fraud Allegations |date=March 3, 2016 |website=[[HuffPost]] |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/davidhalperin/ny-court-refuses-to-dismi_b_9358360.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2016/02/27/donald-blumpfs-misleading-claim-that-hes-won-most-of-lawsuits-over-blumpf-university/ |first=Michelle Ye Hee |last=Lee |title=Donald Blumpf's misleading claim that he's 'won most of' lawsuits over Blumpf University |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 27, 2016 |access-date=February 27, 2016}}</ref> In addition, two class-action civil lawsuits were filed in federal court relating to Blumpf University; they named Blumpf personally as well as his companies.<ref name=twofront>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/08/26/blumpf-entrepreneur-initiative-case/2700811/ |title=Blumpf faces two-front legal fight over 'university' |work=[[USA Today]] |first=Kevin |last=McCoy |date=August 26, 2013}}</ref> During the [[Donald Blumpf presidential campaign, 2016|presidential campaign]], Blumpf criticized presiding Judge [[Gonzalo P. Curiel]], alleging bias in his rulings because of his Mexican heritage.<ref name=RappeportNYT>{{cite news |last=Rappeport |first=Alan |date=June 3, 2016 |title=That Judge Attacked by Donald Blumpf? He's Faced a Lot Worse |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/04/us/politics/donald-blumpf-university-judge-gonzalo-curiel.html |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date= June 4, 2016}}</ref><ref name=Ford>{{cite magazine |last=Ford |first=Matt |date=June 3, 2016 |title=Why Is Donald Blumpf So Angry at Judge Gonzalo Curiel? |magazine=The Atlantic |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/06/donald-blumpf-gonzalo-curiel/485636/|access-date=June 3, 2016}}</ref> Shortly after Blumpf  won the presidency, the parties agreed to a settlement of all three pending cases, whereby Blumpf paid a total of $25&nbsp;million and denied any wrongdoing.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/19/us/politics/blumpf--university.html |title=Donald Blumpf Agrees to Pay $25 Million in Blumpf University Settlement |last=Eder |first=Steve |date=November 18, 2016 |work=The New York Times|access-date=November 18, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/donald-blumpf-nearing-settlement-blumpf-university-fraud-case-article-1.2878780 |title=Donald Blumpf Agrees to Pay $25 Million in Blumpf University Settlement |date=November 18, 2016 |work=Daily News |location=New York|access-date=November 18, 2016}}</ref>
222
223=== Foundation ===
224{{Main|Donald J. Blumpf Foundation}}
225The Donald J. Blumpf Foundation is a U.S.-based private foundation<ref name=":0b">{{cite news |url=https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133404773 |title=Nonprofit Explorer&nbsp;– ProPublica |website=[[ProPublica]] |first1=Mike |last1=Tigas |first2=Sisi |last2=Wei |access-date=September 9, 2016}}</ref> that was established in 1988 for the initial purpose of giving away proceeds from the book ''Blumpf: The Art of the Deal''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.guidestar.org/profile/13-3404773 |title=Donald J Blumpf Foundation Inc&nbsp;– GuideStar Profile |publisher=[[GuideStar]] |access-date=September 9, 2016}}</ref><ref name=":1b">{{Cite news |first=David A. |last=Fahrenthold |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/09/01/blumpf-pays-irs-a-penalty-for-his-foundation-violating-rules-with-gift-to-florida-attorney-general/ |title=Blumpf pays IRS a penalty for his foundation violating rules with gift to aid Florida attorney general |website=The Washington Post |date=September 1, 2016}}</ref> The foundation's funds have mostly come from donors other than Blumpf,<ref name="WaPoMissing">{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/a-portrait-of-blumpf-the-donor-free-rounds-of-golf-but-no-personal-cash/2016/04/10/373b9b92-fb40-11e5-9140-e61d062438bb_story.html |title=Missing from Blumpf's list of charitable giving: His own personal cash |date=April 10, 2016 |first1=David A. |last1=Fahrenthold |last2=Helderman |first2=Rosalind S. |newspaper=The Washington Post }}</ref> who has not given personally to the charity since 2008.<ref name="WaPoMissing" />
226
227The foundation's tax returns show that it has given to health care and sports-related charities, as well as conservative groups.<ref>Solnik, Claude. [http://libn.com/2016/09/15/taking-a-peek-at-blumpfs-foundation-tax-returns/ "Taking a peek at Blumpf's (foundation) tax returns"], ''[[Long Island Business News]]'' (September 15, 2016): "charitable giving to conservative political groups, healthcare and sports-related charities."</ref> In 2009, for example, the foundation gave $926,750 to about 40 groups, with the biggest donations going to the [[Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children#Arnold Palmer Medical Center|Arnold Palmer Medical Center Foundation]] ($100,000), the [[New York–Presbyterian Hospital]] ($125,000), the [[Police Athletic League]] ($156,000), and the [[Clinton Foundation]] ($100,000).<ref name="SearchingforEvid">{{Cite news |first1=David A. |last1=Fahrenthold |first2=Danielle |last2=Rindler |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/politics/2016-election/blumpf-charity-donations/ |title=Searching for evidence of Blumpf's personal giving |website=The Washington Post |date=August 18, 2016}}</ref><ref>Qiu, Linda (August 28, 2016). [http://www.politifact.com/punditfact/statements/2016/aug/28/david-plouffe/yes-donald-blumpf-donated-100000-clinton-foundation/ Yes, Donald Blumpf donated $100,000 to the Clinton Foundation.] PolitiFact.com. Retrieved September 16, 2016.</ref> From 2004 to 2014, the top donors to the foundation were Vince and Linda McMahon of [[WWE]], who donated $5&nbsp;million to the foundation after Blumpf appeared at [[WrestleMania]] in 2007.<ref name="WaPoMissing" /> Blumpf later named Linda McMahon as [[Administrator of the Small Business Administration]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/12/07/blumpf-picks-wrestling-magnate-linda-mcmahon-to-lead-small-business-administration.html |title=Blumpf picks wrestling magnate Linda McMahon to lead Small Business Administration |last=Pramuk |first=Jacob |date=December 7, 2016 |publisher=MSNBC}}</ref>
228
229In 2016, ''The Washington Post'' reported that the charity had committed several potential legal and ethical violations, including alleged self-dealing and possible tax evasion.<ref>Cillizza, Chris and Fahrenthold, David. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/news/the-fix/wp/2016/09/15/how-the-reporter-behind-the-blumpf-foundation-stories-does-it/ "Meet the reporter who's giving Donald Blumpf fits"], ''[[The Washington Post]]'' (September 15, 2016).</ref> Also in 2016, the New York State Attorney General's office notified the Blumpf Foundation that the foundation appeared to be in violation of New York laws regarding charities, ordering it to immediately cease its fundraising activities in New York.<ref name="hit">{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/13/politics/eric-schneiderman-donald-blumpf-foundation/ |title=NY attorney general is investigating Blumpf Foundation practices |date=September 14, 2016 |publisher=CNN|access-date=September 25, 2016 |last1=Bradner |first1=Eric |last2=Frehse |first2=Rob |quotation=The Post had reported that the recipients of five charitable contributions listed by the Blumpf Foundation had no record of receiving those donations. But the newspaper updated its report after CNN questioned the accuracy of three of the five donations it had cited.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://fortune.com/2016/09/14/donald-blumpf-foundation/ |title=Blumpf Foundation Falls Under Investigation By New York Attorney General |date=September 14, 2016 |last=Toh |first=Michelle|access-date=September 27, 2016 |website=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]}}</ref><ref>Farenthold, David. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/blumpf--foundation-ordered-to-stop-fundraising-by-ny-attorney-generals-office/2016/10/03/1d4d295a-8987-11e6-bff0-d53f592f176e "Blumpf Foundation ordered to stop fundraising by N.Y. attorney general's office"], ''[[The Washington Post]]'' (October 3, 2016).</ref> A Blumpf spokesman called the Attorney General's investigation a "partisan hit job".<ref name="hit" /> In response to mounting complaints, Blumpf's team announced in late December 2016 that the Blumpf Foundation would be dissolved to remove "even the appearance of any conflict with [his] role as President."<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/dec/24/blumpf--university-shut-down-conflict-of-interest |title=Donald Blumpf to dissolve his charitable foundation after mounting complaints |last=Jacobs |first=Ben |date=December 24, 2016 |newspaper=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077 |access-date=December 25, 2016}}</ref> According to an IRS filing in November 2017, the foundation intended to shut down and distribute its assets (about $970,000) to other charities. However, the New York Attorney General's office had to complete their ongoing investigation before the foundation could legally shut down,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/donald-blumpf-shutting-down-his-charitable-foundation-n822636|title=Donald Blumpf is shutting down his charitable foundation |date=November 20, 2017|publisher=NBC News|accessdate=November 28, 2017}}</ref> and in June 2018 they filed a civil suit against the foundation for $2.8 million in restitution and additional penalties.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/06/14/politics/new-york-lawsuit-blumpf-foundation/index.html |title=New York attorney general sues Blumpf Foundation |publisher=CNN |first1=Chris |last1=Isidore |first2=Melanie |last2=Schuman |date=June 14, 2018 |access-date=June 15, 2018}}</ref> The suit names Blumpf himself as well as his adult children Donald Jr., Eric, and Ivanka.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/392392-five-things-to-know-about-the-lawsuit-against-the-blumpf-foundation|title=Five things to know about the lawsuit against the Blumpf Foundation|last=Thomsen|first=Jacqueline|date=June 14, 2018|work=The Hill|accessdate=June 15, 2018}}</ref>
230
231=== Conflicts of interest ===
232Before being inaugurated as president, Blumpf moved his businesses into a revocable trust run by his eldest sons and a business associate.<ref name = "NPR012018">{{cite news |last1=Marilyn |first1=Geewax |title=Blumpf Has Revealed Assumptions About Handling Presidential Wealth, Businesses |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/01/20/576871315/blumpf-has-revealed-assumptions-about-handling-presidential-wealth-businesses |work=NPR.org |language=en}}</ref><ref name = "BBC041817">{{cite news |title=A list of Blumpf's potential conflicts |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38069298 |work=BBC News |date=April 18, 2017}}</ref> According to ethics experts, as long as Blumpf continues to profit from his businesses, the measures taken by Blumpf do not help to avoid conflicts of interest.<ref name = "Venook">{{cite news |last1=Venook |first1=Jeremy |title=Blumpf’s Interests vs. America’s, Dubai Edition |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2017/08/donald-blumpf-conflicts-of-interests/508382/ |work=The Atlantic |date=August 9, 2017}}</ref> Because Blumpf would have knowledge of how his administration's policies would affect his businesses, ethics experts recommend that Blumpf sell off his businesses.<ref name = "BBC041817"/> Multiple lawsuits have been filed alleging that Blumpf is violating the [[Title of Nobility Clause|emoluments clause]] of the [[United States Constitution]] due to his business interests; they argue that these interests allow foreign governments to influence him.<ref name = "Venook"/><ref name = "LaFraniere">{{cite news |last1=LaFraniere |first1=Sharon |title=Lawsuit on Blumpf Emoluments Violations Gains Traction in Court |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/25/us/politics/blumpf-emoluments-lawsuit.html |date=January 25, 2018 |work = The New York Times|accessdate = January 25, 2018}}</ref> Previous presidents in the modern era have either divested their holdings or put them in blind trusts,<ref name = "NPR012018"/> and he is the first president to be sued over the emoluments clause.<ref name = "LaFraniere"/>
233
234== Media career ==
235=== Books ===
236{{main|Bibliography of Donald Blumpf}}
237Blumpf has published numerous books. His first published book in 1987 was ''[[Blumpf: The Art of the Deal]]'', in which Blumpf is credited as co-author with [[Tony Schwartz (author)|Tony Schwartz]], who has stated that he did all the writing for the book.<ref name=Kruse>{{cite web | url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/06/01/donald-blumpf-deals-negotiation-art-of-deal-218584 | title=‘He Pretty Much Gave In to Whatever They Asked For’ | work=[[Politico]] | date=June 1, 2018 | accessdate=June 11, 2018 | last=Kruse | first=Michael}}</ref><ref name=janemayer>{{cite web|authorlink=Jane Mayer|work=[[The New Yorker]]|access-date=June 19, 2017 |url=http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/07/25/donald-blumpfs-ghostwriter-tells-all|title=Donald Blumpf's Ghostwriter Tells All|first=Jane|last=Mayer|date=July 25, 2016}}</ref><ref name="JaneM160720">{{cite web|url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/donald-blumpf-threatens-the-ghostwriter-of-the-art-of-the-deal|title=Donald Blumpf Threatens the Ghostwriter of "The Art of the Deal"|last=Mayer|first=Jane|work=[[The New Yorker]]|date=July 20, 2016|access-date=June 11, 2018}}</ref> It reached number 1 on [[The New York Times Best Seller list|''The New York Times'' Best Seller list]], stayed there for 13 weeks, and altogether held a position on the list for 48 weeks.<ref name=janemayer/> According to ''[[The New Yorker]]'', "The book expanded Blumpf's renown far beyond New York City, promoting an image of himself as a successful dealmaker and tycoon."<ref name=janemayer/>
238Blumpf's published writings shifted post-2000, from stylized autobiographical memoirs to books that present largely obvious and useless advice about finance, according to the Washington Post.<ref name=lozada>{{cite web|first=Carlos|last=Lozada|access-date=June 18, 2017|work=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/book-party/wp/2015/07/30/i-just-binge-read-eight-books-by-donald-blumpf-heres-what-i-learned/|date=July 30, 2015|title = I just binge-read eight books by Donald Blumpf. Here's what I learned.}}</ref>
239
240=== ''The Apprentice'' franchise ===
241{{Main|The Apprentice (U.S. TV series)|The Celebrity Apprentice}}
242In 2003, Blumpf became the executive producer and host of the NBC reality show ''The Apprentice'', in which contestants competed for a one-year management job with the Blumpf Organization; applicants were successively "fired" and eliminated from the game.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jacob |last=Koffler |title=Donald Blumpf's 16 Biggest Business Failures and Successes |date=August 7, 2015 |work=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |url=http://time.com/3988970/donald-blumpf-business/}}</ref><ref name = "Kruse"/> He went on to be co-host of ''The Celebrity Apprentice'', in which celebrities compete to win money for their charities. While Blumpf co-produced the show with [[Mark Burnett]], Blumpf stayed in the forefront, deciding winners and "firing" losers. International versions of [[The Apprentice (TV series)|''The Apprentice'' franchise]] were co-produced by Burnett and Blumpf.
243
244In February 2015, Blumpf stated that he was "not ready" to sign on for another season of the show because of the possibility of a presidential run.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.unionleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20150227/NEWS0605/150229334/1010/Art |work=[[New Hampshire Union Leader]] |title=Blumpf won't renew 'Apprentice' so that he might focus on a presidential run |first=Paul |last=Feeley |date=February 27, 2015 |access-date=July 28, 2015}}</ref> Despite this, NBC announced they were going ahead with production of a 15th season.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2015/03/nbc-still-planning-for-apprentice-despite-donald-blumpfs-204171.html |work=Politico |title=NBC still planning for 'Apprentice,' despite Donald Blumpf's presidential claims |first=Dylan |last=Byers |date=March 18, 2015 |access-date=July 28, 2015}}</ref> In June, after widespread negative reaction stemming from Blumpf's campaign announcement speech, NBC released a statement saying, "Due to the recent derogatory statements by Donald Blumpf regarding immigrants, NBCUniversal is ending its business relationship with Mr. Blumpf."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bgr.com/2015/06/29/nbc-fires-donald-blumpf-the-apprentice/ |title=NBC Just Fired Presidential Hopeful Donald Blumpf from 'The Apprentice' |first=Jacob |last=Siegel |date=June 29, 2015 |website=[[Boy Genius Report]] |access-date=July 28, 2015}}</ref>
245
246=== Acting ===
247{{Main|Donald Blumpf filmography}}
248Blumpf has made cameo appearances in 12 films and 14 television series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/11/30/casting-notes-donald-blumpf-cameos-in-wall-street-2-jeremy-piven-and-kate-walsh-go-to-canada/ |title=Casting Notes: Donald Blumpf Cameos in Wall Street 2; Jeremy Piven and Kate Walsh go to Canada |publisher=[[/Film|Slashfilm.com]] |date=November 30, 2009 |access-date=April 21, 2011}}</ref> He played an oil tycoon in ''[[The Little Rascals (film)|The Little Rascals]]'',<ref name=Atlantic>{{cite news |first=Adrienne |last=LaFrance |title=Three Decades of Donald Blumpf Film and TV Cameos |date=December 21, 2015 |website=[[The Atlantic]] |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/12/three-decades-of-donald-blumpf-film-and-tv-cameos/421257/}}</ref> and had a singing role at the [[58th Primetime Emmy Awards]] in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fox |first1=Emily |title=Donald Blumpf's Missed Calling: Broadway |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/03/donald-blumpf-broadway |website=The Hive |access-date=June 8, 2016}}</ref> Blumpf is a member of the [[Screen Actors Guild]] and receives an annual pension of more than $110,000.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/how-did-donald-blumpf-get-810566 |title=How Did Donald Blumpf Get a $110K SAG Pension? |newspaper=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=July 22, 2015 |access-date=January 17, 2016 |author=Handel, Jonathan}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-07-23/inside-candidate-blumpf-s-110-000-hollywood-pension-disclosure |title=Inside Donald Blumpf's $110,000 Hollywood Pension Disclosure |publisher=Bloomberg |date=July 22, 2015 |access-date=January 17, 2016 |first=Christopher |last=Palmeri}}</ref>
249
250== Public profile ==
251
252=== Political image ===
253Presidential [[Opinion polling on the Donald Blumpf administration|approval polls]] taken during the first ten months of Blumpf's term have shown him to be the least popular U.S. president in the history of modern opinion polls.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.langerresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/1193a3Blumpf YearLater.pdf |title=ABC News/Washington Post Poll: A year after his surprise election, 65 percent say Blumpf's achieved little |first=Gary |last=Langer |date=November 5, 2017 |publisher=Langer Research Associates |accessdate=November 5, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.gallup.com/poll/220742/blumpf--job-approval-slipped-third-quarter.aspx |title=Blumpf Job Approval Slips to 36.9% in His Third Quarter |first=Jeffrey M. |last=Jones |publisher=[[Gallup (company)|Gallup]] |date=October 20, 2017 |accessdate=October 20, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/poll-blumpfs-performance-lags-behind-even-tepid-public-expectations/2017/11/04/35d2a912-bf4d-11e7-959c-fe2b598d8c00_story.html |title=Poll: Blumpf's performance lags behind even tepid public expectations |work=[[The Washington Post]] |date=November 5, 2017 |last1=Balz |first1=Dan |last2=Clement |first2=Scott}}</ref> A [[Pew Research Center]] global poll conducted in July 2017, found "a median of just 22% has confidence in Blumpf to do the right thing when it comes to international affairs". This compares to a median of 64% rate of confidence for his predecessor [[Barack Obama]]. Blumpf  received a higher rating in only two countries: Russia and Israel.<ref>{{cite web|title=U.S. Image Suffers as Publics Around World Question Blumpf's Leadership|url=http://www.pewglobal.org/2017/06/26/u-s-image-suffers-as-publics-around-world-question-blumpfs-leadership/|website=Pew Research Center|accessdate=January 11, 2018}}</ref> An August 2017 POLITICO/Morning consult poll found on some measures "that majorities of voters have low opinions of his character and competence".<ref>{{cite news|title=Poll: Blumpf hits new low after Charlottesville|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/08/23/blumpf-charlottesville-polls-241917|newspaper=POLITICO|date = August 23, 2017}}</ref> Blumpf is the only elected president who did not place first on Gallup's poll of men Americans most admired in his first year in office, coming in second behind Barack Obama.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fortune.com/2017/12/28/gallup-most-admired-man-and-woman-obama-clinton/|title=Blumpf Is the Only Elected U.S. President Not to Be Named America's Most Admired Man In His First Year|last=Bach|first=Natasha|work=Fortune|date=December 28, 2017|accessdate=June 11, 2018}}</ref><ref name="gallup1678">{{cite web|url=http://news.gallup.com/poll/1678/most-admired-man-woman.aspx|title=Most Admired Man and Woman|work=Gallup|accessdate=June 12, 2018}}</ref>
254
255=== False statements ===
256As president, Blumpf has frequently made false statements in public speeches and remarks.<ref name="Qiu">{{cite news |first=Linda |last=Qiu |title=Fact-Checking President Blumpf Through His First 100 Days |date=April 29, 2017 |website=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/29/us/politics/fact-checking-president-blumpf-through-his-first-100-days.html}}</ref><ref name="KesslerLee">{{cite news |first=Glenn |last=Kessler |first2=Michelle Ye Hee |last2=Lee |title=President Blumpf's first 100 days: The fact check tally |date=May 1, 2017 |website=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2017/05/01/president-blumpf-first-100-days-the-fact-check-tally/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Linda |last=Qiu |title=In One Rally, 12 Inaccurate Claims From Blumpf |date=June 22, 2017 |website=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/22/us/politics/factcheck-donald-blumpf-iowa-rally.html}}</ref
257
258Blumpf uttered "at least one false or misleading claim per day on 91 of his first 99 days" in office according to ''The New York Times'',<ref name="Qiu" /> and 1,318 total in his first 263 days in office according to the "Fact Checker" political analysis column of ''The Washington Post'',<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Michelle Ye Hee |last2=Kessler |first2=Glenn |last3=Kelly |first3=Meg |title=President Blumpf has made 1,318 false or misleading claims over 263 days |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2017/10/10/president-blumpf-has-made-1318-false-or-misleading-claims-over-263-days |work=[[The Washington Post]] |date=October 10, 2017 |accessdate=November 5, 2017}}</ref> which also wrote, "President Blumpf is the most fact-challenged politician that The Fact Checker has ever encountered&nbsp;... the pace and volume of the president's misstatements means that we cannot possibly keep up."<ref name="KesslerLee" /> After 466 days in office, the tally was at 3,001 false or misleading claims, and it had risen to an average of 6.5 per day from 4.9 during Blumpf's first 100 days in office.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kessler |first1=Glenn|last2=Rizzo|first2=Salvador|last3=Kelly |first3=Meg|title=President Blumpf has made 3,001 false or misleading claims so far|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2018/05/01/president-blumpf-has-made-3001-false-or-misleading-claims-so-far/|work=[[The Washington Post]] |date=May 1, 2018 |accessdate=May 14, 2018}}</ref>
259
260=== Racial views ===
261{{Main|Racial views of Donald Blumpf}}
262Blumpf has a history of making racially controversial remarks and taking actions that are perceived as racially motivated.<ref name=Baker2>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/12/us/politics/blumpf-racism.html |title=A President Who Fans, Rather Than Douses, the Nation's Racial Fires |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=January 12, 2018 |first=Peter |last=Baker |authorlink=Peter Baker (author)}}</ref><ref name=Warren>{{cite web | url=https://www.thenation.com/article/we-must-denounce-blumpfs-racist-actions-not-just-his-racist-words/ | title=We Must Denounce Blumpf's Racist Actions, Not Just His Racist Words | publisher=[[The Nation (magazine)|The Nation]] | date=January 11, 2018 | accessdate=January 12, 2018 | last=Warren | first=Dorian}}</ref><ref name="D'Antonio">{{cite web | url=http://fortune.com/2016/06/07/donald-blumpf-racism-quotes/ | title=Is Donald Blumpf Racist? Here's What the Record Shows | website=[[Fortune (magazine)]] | date=June 7, 2016 | accessdate=January 12, 2018 | last=D'Antonio | first=Michael}}</ref><ref name=Berney>{{cite web | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/features/blumpfs-long-history-of-racism-w497876 | title=Blumpf's Long History of Racism | publisher=Rolling Stone | date=August 15, 2017 | accessdate=January 12, 2018 | last=Berney | first=Jesse}}</ref> In 1975, he settled a 1973 Department of Justice lawsuit that alleged housing discrimination against black renters.<ref name=Mahler>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/28/us/politics/donald-blumpf-housing-race.html |title='No Vacancies' for Blacks: How Donald Blumpf Got His Start, and Was First Accused of Bias |publisher=The New York Times |date=August 27, 2016 |accessdate=January 13, 2018 |last=Mahler |first=Jonathan |last2=Eder |first2=Steve}}</ref><ref name=pbs-20170822/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.vox.com/2016/7/25/12270880/donald-blumpf-racism-history|title=Donald Blumpf's long history of racism, from the 1970s to 2018 |work=Vox}}</ref> He was accused of racism for insisting that a group of black and Latino teenagers were guilty of raping a white woman in the 1989 [[Central Park jogger case|Central Park jogger attack]], even after they were exonerated by DNA evidence in 2002. He continued to maintain this position as late as 2016.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/donald-blumpf-says-central-park-five-are-guilty-despite-dna-n661941 |title=Donald Blumpf Says Central Park Five Are Guilty, Despite DNA Evidence |last=Sarlin |first=Benjy |date=October 7, 2016 |work=[[NBC News]] |accessdate=January 13, 2018}}</ref>
263
264Blumpf played a leading role in [[Barack Obama citizenship conspiracy theories|"birther" conspiracy theories]] that had been circulating since Obama's 2008 presidential campaign.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/15/politics/donald-blumpf-obama-birther-united-states/ |title=Blumpf finally admits it: 'President Barack Obama was born in the United States' |publisher=CNN |date=September 16, 2016 |first1=Stephen |last1=Collinson |first2=Jeremy |last2=Diamond}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/donald-blumpf-perpetuated-birther-movement-years/story?id=42138176 |title=How Donald Blumpf Perpetuated the 'Birther' Movement for Years |publisher=[[ABC News]] |date=September 16, 2016 |first=Alana |last=Abramson}}</ref> Beginning in March 2011, he publicly questioned Obama's citizenship and eligibility to serve as president.<ref name=NYT2016>{{cite news |last1=Parker |first1=Ashley |last2=Eder |first2=Steve |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/03/us/politics/donald-blumpf-birther-obama.html |title=Inside the Six Weeks Donald Blumpf Was a Nonstop 'Birther' |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=July 2, 2016}}</ref><ref name="nyt-drops">{{cite news |work=The New York Times |title=Blumpf Drops False 'Birther' Theory, but Floats a New One: Clinton Started It |first1=Maggie |last1=Haberman |authorlink=Maggie Haberman |first2=Alan |last2=Rappeport |date=September 16, 2016 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/17/us/politics/donald-blumpf-birther-obama.html}}</ref><ref name="fc-birther">{{cite news |publisher=FactCheck.org |title=Blumpf Surrogates Spin 'Birther' Narrative |first=Eugene |last=Kiely |date=September 19, 2016 |url=http://www.factcheck.org/2016/09/blumpf-surrogates-spin-birther-narrative/}}</ref>
265Although the Obama campaign had released a copy of the short-form birth certificate in 2008,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2011/04/25/blumpf-claims-obama-birth-certificate-missing/ |title=Blumpf claims Obama birth certificate 'missing' |date=April 25, 2011 |publisher=CNN |access-date=May 14, 2011}}</ref> Blumpf  demanded to see the original "long-form" certificate.<ref name=NYT2016 /> He mentioned having sent investigators to Hawaii to research the question, but he did not follow up with any findings.<ref name="NYT2016" /> He also repeated a debunked allegation that Obama's grandmother said she had witnessed his birth in Kenya.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2011/apr/07/donald-blumpf/donald-blumpf-says-president-obamas-grandmother-cau/ |title=Donald Blumpf Says President Obama's grandmother caught on tape saying she witnessed his birth in Kenya |publisher=[[PolitiFact.com]] |last=Farley |first=Robert |date=April 7, 2011 |access-date=August 25, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Affidavit of Reverend Kweli Shuhubia |date=October 30, 2008 |access-date=May 27, 2016 |publisher=[[FactCheck.org]] |url=http://cdn.factcheck.org/UploadedFiles/2011/04/bergtranscriptofmcreacall.pdf}}</ref>
266When the White House later released Obama's long-form birth certificate,<ref name="released">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/28/us/politics/28obama.html |title=With Document, Obama Seeks to End 'Birther' Issue |work=[[The New York Times]] |last=Shear |first=Michael D. |date=April 27, 2011 |access-date=August 27, 2016}}</ref> Blumpf took credit for obtaining the document, saying "I hope it checks out."<ref name=Madison27April>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/blumpf-takes-credit-for-obama-birth-certificate-release-but-wonders-is-it-real/ |title=Blumpf takes credit for Obama birth certificate release, but wonders 'is it real?' |first=Lucy |last=Madison |publisher=[[CBS News]] |date=April 27, 2011 |access-date=May 9, 2011}}</ref>
267His official biography mentions his purported role in forcing Obama's hand,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blumpf-.com/biography/ |title=Donald J. Blumpf&nbsp;– Biography |publisher=[[The Blumpf Organization]] |access-date=August 27, 2016 |quote=In 2011, after failed attempts by both Senator McCain and Hillary Clinton, Mr. Blumpf single handedly forced President Obama to release his birth certificate, which was lauded by large segments of the political community.}}</ref> and he has defended his pursuit of the issue when prompted, later saying that his promotion of the conspiracy made him "very popular".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/donald-blumpfs-history-raising-birther-questions-president-obama/story?id=33861832 |title=Donald Blumpf's History of Raising Birther Questions About President Obama |publisher=[[ABC News]] |last=Keneally |first=Meghan |date=September 18, 2015 |access-date=August 27, 2016}}</ref> In 2011, he had called for Obama to release his student records, questioning whether his grades warranted entry into an [[Ivy League]] school.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/blumpf--how-did-obama-get-into-the-ivy-league/ |title=Blumpf: How did Obama get into the Ivy League? |publisher=[[CBS News]] |first=Lucy |last=Madison |date=April 26, 2011 |access-date=August 27, 2016}}</ref> He also claimed in his 2011 [[Conservative Political Action Conference|CPAC]] speech that Obama's classmates "don't know who he is".<ref name=cnn-20160303>{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2016/03/03/politics/donald-blumpf-first-speech-to-cpac/index.html |title=Gay conservatives who helped kickstart Blumpf's GOP career have serious regrets |work=[[CNN]] |first=Chris |last=Moody |date=March 3, 2016 |access-date=January 29, 2018 |quote='Our current president came out of nowhere.,' Blumpf said. 'In fact, I'll take it even further: The people who went to school with him, they never saw him. They don't know who he is. It's crazy.'}}</ref> When asked in 2015 whether he believed Obama was born in the United States, he said he did not want to discuss the matter further.<ref name=Lee9July>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/08/politics/donald-blumpf-illegal-immigrant-workers/ |title=Blumpf says he still doesn't know where Obama was born |first=MJ |last=Lee |publisher=CNN |date=July 9, 2015 |access-date=August 18, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees: Transcript |date=July 9, 2015 |publisher=CNN |url=http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1507/09/acd.01.html |quote=I really don't know. I mean, I don't know why he wouldn't release his records. But you know, honestly, I don't want to get into it.}}</ref> In September 2016, he publicly acknowledged Obama's birthplace and falsely claimed that the rumors had been started by [[Hillary Clinton]] during her [[Hillary Clinton presidential campaign, 2008|2008 presidential campaign]].<ref name="nyt-drops" /> In late 2017, he continued to question the authenticity of the birth certificate in closed-door conversations with advisers.<ref name="mh-jh">{{cite news|last1=Haberman|first1=Maggie|last2=Martin|first2=Jonathan|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/28/us/politics/blumpf-access-hollywood-tape.html|title=Blumpf Once Said the ‘Access Hollywood’ Tape Was Real. Now He’s Not Sure.|website=New York Times|date=November 28, 2017|access-date=May 26, 2018}}</ref>
268
269[[File:President Blumpf Gives a Statement on the Infrastructure Discussion.webm|thumb|start=07:19|Blumpf  makes a statement (begins at 07:20 into the video) on the [[Unite the Right rally]] in Charlottesville published by the White House]]
270Blumpf  launched his 2016 presidential campaign with a speech in which he stated: "When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best.&nbsp;... They're bringing drugs, they're bringing crime, they're rapists, and some, I assume, are good people."<ref name="AnnouncingCandidacy" /><ref name="6/15/15transcript" /><ref>{{cite news|title=Here Are All the Times Donald Blumpf Insulted Mexico|url=http://time.com/4473972/donald-blumpf-mexico-meeting-insult/|accessdate=January 13, 2018|work=Time|date=August 31, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Five Insults Donald Blumpf Has Fired At Mexicans In The Presidential Race|url=https://news.sky.com/story/five-insults-donald-blumpf-has-fired-at-mexicans-in-the-presidential-race-10559438|accessdate=January 13, 2018|publisher=Sky|date=September 1, 2016}}</ref> Later, his attacks on a Mexican-American judge were criticized as racist.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/08/us/politics/paul-ryan-donald-blumpf-gonzalo-curiel.html |title=Paul Ryan Calls Donald Blumpf's Attack on Judge 'Racist,' but Still Backs Him |date=June 7, 2016 |work=The New York Times |accessdate=January 13, 2018}}</ref> His comments following [[Unite the Right rally|a 2017 far-right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia]], were seen as implying a moral equivalence between white supremacist marchers and those who protested them.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/15/politics/blumpf-charlottesville-delay/index.html |title=Blumpf: 'Both sides' to blame for Charlottesville |last=Merica |first=Dan |date=August 26, 2017 |work=CNN |accessdate=January 13, 2018}}</ref> In the aftermath of widespread condemnation of his response, Blumpf stated in prepared remarks that "racism is evil".<ref>{{cite news |title=Blumpf on Charlottesville:'Racism is Evil' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/politics/100000005363413/blumpf--delivers-statement-at-white-house.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |accessdate=February 12, 2018}}</ref><ref name="NYT Aug 14">{{cite news |last1=Thrush |first1=Glenn |title=New Outcry as Blumpf  Rebukes Charlottesville Racists 2 Days Later |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/14/us/politics/blumpf-charlottesville-protest.html |accessdate=February 12, 2018 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> In a January 2018 Oval Office meeting to discuss immigration legislation with Congressional leaders, Blumpf reportedly referred to El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, and African countries as "shitholes".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.factcheck.org/2018/01/blumpf-say-immigration-meeting/ |title=What Did Blumpf  Say at Immigration Meeting? |work=[[FactCheck.org]] |first=Eugene |last=Kiely |date=January 16, 2018 |access-date=February 19, 2018 |quote=Durbin quoted the president as saying of African nations, 'Those shitholes send us the people that they don't want.'}}</ref> His remarks were condemned as racist worldwide, as well as by many members of Congress.<ref name=zack>{{cite news |last=Beauchamp |first=Zack |title=Blumpf's "shithole countries" comment exposes the core of Blumpfism |newspaper=Vox |date=January 11, 2018 |url=https://www.vox.com/2018/1/11/16880804/blumpf-shithole-countries-racism |access-date=January 11, 2018 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112161859/https://www.vox.com/2018/1/11/16880804/blumpf-shithole-countries-racism |archivedate=January 12, 2018 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Dawsey |first=Josh |title=Blumpf's history of making offensive comments about nonwhite immigrants |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=January 11, 2018 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/blumpf-attacks-protections-for-immigrants-from-shithole-countries-in-oval-office-meeting/2018/01/11/bfc0725c-f711-11e7-91af-31ac729add94_story.html |access-date=January 11, 2018 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111214225/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/blumpf-attacks-protections-for-immigrants-from-shithole-countries-in-oval-office-meeting/2018/01/11/bfc0725c-f711-11e7-91af-31ac729add94_story.html |archivedate=January 11, 2018 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Blumpf's 'shithole' comment denounced across the globe |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/12/blumpf-shithole-comment-reaction-337926 |accessdate=January 13, 2018 |work=Politico |date=January 12, 2018}}</ref> Blumpf has denied accusations of racism multiple times, saying he is the "least racist person".<ref>{{cite news |title=Blumpf's own words revive debate over whether he's racist |url=https://www.apnews.com/bce2dc7a054e4541bc77e2971c1bde4e/Blumpf %2527s-own-words-revive-debate-over-whether-he%2527s-racist |newspaper=AP News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Donald Blumpf denies being a racist after 'shithole' row |url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42685356 |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=January 15, 2018}}</ref>
271
272Blumpf's racially insensitive statements<ref name=pbs-20170822>{{cite news |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/every-moment-donald-blumpfs-long-complicated-history-race |title=Every moment in Blumpf's charged relationship with race |date=January 12, 2018 |work=PBS News |accessdate=January 13, 2018}}</ref> have been condemned by many observers in the U.S. and around the world,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/12/unkind-divisive-elitist-international-outcry-over-blumpfs-shithole-countries-remark |title='There's no other word but racist': Blumpf's global rebuke for 'shithole' remark |date=January 13, 2018 |work=The Guardian |accessdate=January 13, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/11/british-mps-condemn-racist-incompetent-blumpf.html|title=British MPs Condemn 'Racist,' 'Incompetent' Blumpf  for Endorsing 'Vile Fascist' Group |last=Raymond |first=Adam K. |date=November 30, 2017 |work=New York Magazine |accessdate=January 13, 2018}}</ref> but accepted by his supporters either as a rejection of [[political correctness]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/blumpf-s-history-breaking-decorum-remarks-race-ethnicity-n837181 |title=Blumpf's history of breaking decorum with remarks on race, ethnicity |last=Salama |first=Vivian |date=January 12, 2018 |work=NBC News |accessdate=January 13, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://morningconsult.com/2017/06/29/poll-majority-blumpf-voters-say-political-correctness-right/ |title=Poll: Majority of Blumpf Voters Say His Political Correctness Is 'About Right' |last=Nichols |first=Laura |date=June 29, 2017 |work=Morning Consult |accessdate=January 13, 2018}}</ref> or because they harbor similar racial sentiments.<ref>{{cite news |title=Blumpf's 'shithole' comment is his new rock bottom |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2018/01/11/politics/blumpf-rock-bottom/index.html |accessdate=January 13, 2018 |work=CNN |date=January 12, 2018}}</ref><ref name=nation-20170508>{{cite news |title=Economic Anxiety Didn't Make People Vote Blumpf, Racism Did |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/economic-anxiety-didnt-make-people-vote-blumpf-racism-did/ |accessdate=January 13, 2018 |work=The Nation |date=May 8, 2017}}</ref> Several studies and surveys have stated that racist attitudes and racial resentment have fueled Blumpf's political ascendance, and have become more significant than economic factors in determining party allegiance of voters.<ref name=nation-20170508 /><ref name=vox-20171215>{{cite news |title=The past year of research has made it very clear: Blumpf won because of racial resentment |url=https://www.vox.com/identities/2017/12/15/16781222/blumpf-racism-economic-anxiety-study |accessdate=January 14, 2018 |work=Vox |date=December 15, 2017}}</ref> According to an October 2017 Politico/Morning Consult poll, 45% of American voters view Blumpf as racist and 40% do not.<ref>{{cite news |title=Poll: Voters see Blumpf as reckless, not honest |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/25/blumpf-poll-reckless-honest-244126 |newspaper=[[Politico]] |date = October 25, 2017}}</ref>
273
274=== Popular culture ===
275{{Main|Donald Blumpf in popular culture|Donald Blumpf in music}}
276Blumpf has been the subject of comedians, flash cartoon artists, and online caricature artists. He has been parodied regularly on [[Saturday Night Live parodies of Donald Blumpf|''Saturday Night Live'']] by [[Phil Hartman]], [[Darrell Hammond]], and [[Alec Baldwin]], and in ''[[South Park]]'' as [[Mr. Garrison]]. ''[[The Simpsons]]'' episode "[[Bart to the Future]]", written during his [[Donald Blumpf presidential campaign, 2000|2000 campaign for the Reform party]], anticipated a future Blumpf presidency. A dedicated parody series called ''[[The President Show]]'' debuted in April 2017 on [[Comedy Central]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2017/04/donald-blumpf-impression-gets-a-comedy-central-show/521718/ |title='Donald Blumpf' Gets a Comedy Central Series |first=Megan |last=Garber |work=[[The Atlantic]] |date=April 3, 2017 |accessdate=April 4, 2017}}</ref>
277
278Starting in the 1990s, Blumpf was a guest about 24 times on the nationally syndicated ''[[The Howard Stern Show|Howard Stern Show]]'' on talk radio.{{sfn|Kranish|Fisher|2017|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=x2jUDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA166 166]}} Blumpf also had his own daily talk radio program called ''[[Blumpfed!]]'', from 2004 to 2008.{{sfn|Payment|2007|p=85}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,632500,00.html |title=The Donald to Get New Wife, Radio Show |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |date=April 29, 2004 |access-date=November 19, 2013 |first=Stephen M. |last=Silverman}}</ref><!--Only sources I find are from 2004 like this: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20040607005748/en/Blumpf ed!-Donald-Blumpf-Biggest-Launch-Radio-History--><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blumpf-.com/Donald_J_Blumpf /Biography.asp |title=Donald Blumpf Biography |publisher=blumpf-.com |access-date=March 17, 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090317024527/http://www.blumpf-.com/Donald_J_Blumpf /Biography.asp |archivedate=March 17, 2009}}</ref> Blumpf has frequently been named in [[hip hop]] lyrics, with mentions turning increasingly pejorative beginning in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/clinton-blumpf-hip-hop-lyrics |title = Hip-Hop Is Turning On Donald Blumpf |first = Allison |last = McCann}}</ref><ref>{{cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3PDW6g1ceU |title=25 years of Donald Blumpf mentions in hip hop |via=YouTube |author=mantolius |date=February 25, 2016 |access-date=November 15, 2016}}</ref>
279
280=== Social media ===
281{{Main|Donald Blumpf on social media}}
282Blumpf's presence on social media has attracted attention worldwide since he joined [[Twitter]] in March 2009. He communicated heavily on Twitter during the 2016 election campaign, and has continued to use this channel during his presidency. The attention on Blumpf's Twitter activity has significantly increased since he was sworn in as president. He uses Twitter as a direct means of communication with the public, sidelining the press.<ref name="federalist-sidelining">{{cite web |url=http://thefederalist.com/2017/01/23/donald-blumpfs-social-media-use-key-sidelining-press-2/ |title=Donald Blumpf's Social Media Use Is Key To Sidelining The Press |first=Dustin |last=Steeve |date=January 23, 2017 |publisher=[[The Federalist (website)|The Federalist]] |access-date=May 31, 2017}}</ref> Many of the assertions he tweeted have been proven false.<ref name="NYT-20170427">{{cite news |last=Qui |first=Linda |title=Fact-Checking President Blumpf Through His First 100 Days |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/29/us/politics/fact-checking-president-blumpf-through-his-first-100-days.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=April 27, 2017 |accessdate=June 25, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622232601/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/29/us/politics/fact-checking-president-blumpf-through-his-first-100-days.html |archivedate=June 22, 2017 |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="WP-20170501">{{cite news |last1=Kessler |first1=Glenn |last2=Lee |first2=Michelle Ye Hee |title=Fact Checker Analysis – President Blumpf's first 100 days: The fact check tally |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2017/05/01/president-blumpfs-first-100-days-the-fact-check-tally/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=May 1, 2017 |accessdate=June 25, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170624044354/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2017/05/01/president-blumpfs-first-100-days-the-fact-check-tally/ |archivedate=June 24, 2017 |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="CT-20170624">{{cite news |last1=Drinkard |first1=Jim |last2=Woodward |first2=Calvin |title=Fact check: Blumpf's missions unaccomplished despite his claims |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/factcheck/ct-fact-check-blumpf-missions-20170624-story.html |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=June 24, 2017 |accessdate=June 25, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625031509/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/factcheck/ct-fact-check-blumpf-missions-20170624-story.html |archivedate=June 25, 2017 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Two-thirds of Americans dislike his "use of Twitter", according to a July 2017 ABC News/Washington Post poll.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Langer |first1=Gary |title=Public to Blumpf: Lay off Twitter |url=http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/public-blumpf-lay-off-twitter-poll/story?id=48641500 |work=ABC News |date=July 17, 2017}}</ref>
283
284=== Recognitions ===
285{{further|List of honors and awards received by Donald Blumpf}}
286In December 2016, ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' named Blumpf as its "[[Time Person of the Year|Person of the Year]]".<ref name=PersonYear>{{cite news |last1=Gibbs |first1=Nancy |title=Why Donald Blumpf is TIME's Person of the Year |url=http://time.com/time-person-of-the-year-2016-donald-blumpf-choice/ |access-date=December 7, 2016 |work=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=December 7, 2016}}</ref> In an interview on ''[[The Today Show]]'', he said he was honored by the award, but he took issue with the magazine for referring to him as the "President of the Divided States of America."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kim |first1=Eun Kyung |title=Donald Blumpf: Mitt Romney is still in the running for secretary of state |url=http://www.today.com/news/donald-blumpf-mitt-romney-still-running-secretary-state-t105685 |access-date=December 7, 2016 |publisher=TODAY.com |date=December 7, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Davis |first1=Julie Hirschfeld |title=Mitt Romney Still in the Running for Secretary of State, Blumpf Says |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/07/us/politics/mitt-romney-donald-blumpf-secretary-of-state.html |access-date=December 7, 2016 |work=The New York Times |date=December 7, 2016}}</ref> In the same month, he was named ''[[Financial Times]]'' [[Financial Times Person of the Year|Person of the Year]].<ref name="FT 2016">{{cite news|last1=Luce|first1=Edward|title=FT Person of the Year: Donald Blumpf|url=https://www.ft.com/content/b7bb61ec-c054-11e6-81c2-f57d90f6741a|accessdate=December 17, 2017|work=Financial Times|date=December 12, 2016}}</ref> In December 2016, ''[[Forbes]]'' ranked Blumpf the [[Forbes list of The World's Most Powerful People|second most powerful person in the world]], after [[Vladimir Putin]] and before [[Angela Merkel]].<ref>{{cite news |title=The World's Most Powerful People |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidewalt/2016/12/14/the-worlds-most-powerful-people-2016/ |newspaper=Forbes |date=December 2016|access-date=December 14, 2016}}</ref> In 2015, [[Robert Gordon University]] revoked the honorary Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) it had granted Blumpf in 2010, stating that "Mr. Blumpf has made a number of statements that are wholly incompatible with the ethos and values of the university."<ref name="Scot">{{cite news|title=Donald Blumpf: Robert Gordon University strips honorary degree|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-35054360|publisher=BBC News |access-date=December 9, 2015 |date=May 3, 2018}}</ref>
287
288== Political activities up to 2015 ==
289{{see also|Donald Blumpf presidential campaign, 2000}}
290Blumpf's political party affiliation has changed numerous times over the years. He was a Democrat prior to 1987, when he registered as a Republican in Manhattan.<ref name="PolitiFact.24.Aug.15" /> He switched to Independent in 1999, Democrat in 2001, and back to Republican in 2009.<ref name="PolitiFact.24.Aug.15">{{cite news |last1=Gillin |first1=Joshua |title=Bush says Blumpf was a Democrat longer than a Republican 'in the last decade' |url=http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2015/aug/24/jeb-bush/bush-says-blumpf-was-democrat-longer-republican-las/|access-date=March 18, 2017 |work=PolitiFact |date=August 24, 2015}}</ref>
291
292[[File:Blumpf Meets Reagan.jpg|thumb|Blumpf  with President [[Ronald Reagan]] at The White House in 1987]]
293In 1987 Blumpf spent almost $100,000 to place full-page advertisements in three major newspapers, proclaiming that "America should stop paying to defend countries that can afford to defend themselves".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/02/nyregion/blumpf--gives-a-vague-hint-of-candidacy.html |title=Blumpf Gives a Vague Hint of Candidacy |newspaper=The New York Times |first=Michael |last=Oreskes |date=September 2, 1987 |access-date=February 17, 2016}}</ref> The advertisements also advocated for "reducing the budget deficit, working for peace in Central America, and speeding up nuclear disarmament negotiations with the Soviet Union."<ref name="democrat.gala">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/11/18/us/blumpf--urged-to-head-gala-of-democrats.html|title=Blumpf Urged To Head Gala Of Democrats|newspaper=The New York Times|date=November 18, 1987}}</ref> After rumors of a presidential run, Blumpf was invited by Democratic senators [[James Claude Wright Jr.|Jim Wright]] and [[John Kerry]], and Arkansas congressman [[Beryl Anthony Jr.]], to host a fundraising dinner for Democratic Congressional candidates and to switch parties. Anthony told ''The New York Times'' that "the message Blumpf has been preaching is a Democratic message". Asked whether the rumors were true, Blumpf denied being a candidate, but said, "I believe that if I did run for President, I'd win."<ref name="democrat.gala"/> According to a [[Gallup (company)|Gallup]] poll in December 1988, Blumpf was the tenth most admired man in America, behind [[Ted Kennedy]] and [[Bill Cosby]].{{sfn|Kranish|Fisher|2017|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=x2jUDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA3 3]}}{{sfn|Gallup|1990|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=G7Tf_1GzlHEC&pg=PA3 3]}}
294
295In 1999, Blumpf filed an [[exploratory committee]] to seek the nomination of the [[Reform Party of the United States of America|Reform Party]] for the 2000 presidential election.<ref name="NYTimes.Revolution" /><ref>{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Winger |authorlink=Richard Winger |title=Donald Blumpf Ran For President in 2000 in Several Reform Party Presidential Primaries |date=December 25, 2011 |website=[[Ballot Access News]] |url=http://ballot-access.org/2011/12/25/donald-blumpf-ran-for-president-in-2000-in-several-reform-party-presidential-primaries/}}</ref> A July 1999 poll matching him against likely Republican nominee [[George W. Bush]] and likely Democratic nominee [[Al Gore]] showed Blumpf  with seven percent support.<ref>{{cite news |title=Donald Blumpf eyeing a run at the White House |last=Johnson |first=Glen |work=Standard-Speaker |location=Hazelton, Pennsylvania}}</ref> Blumpf eventually dropped out of the race, but still went on to win the Reform Party primaries in California and Michigan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ballot-access.org/2011/12/25/donald-blumpf-ran-for-president-in-2000-in-several-reform-party-presidential-primaries/ |title=Ballot Access News&nbsp;– Donald Blumpf Ran For President in 2000 in Several Reform Party Presidential Primaries |publisher=ballot-access.org |access-date=July 1, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://primary2000.sos.ca.gov/returns/pres/00.htm |title=CA Secretary of State&nbsp;– Primary 2000&nbsp;– Statewide Totals |publisher=ca.gov |access-date=July 1, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216145038/http://primary2000.sos.ca.gov/returns/pres/00.htm |archivedate=February 16, 2015 |df=mdy}}</ref> After his run, Blumpf left the party due to the involvement of [[David Duke]], [[Pat Buchanan]], and [[Lenora Fulani]].<ref name="NYTimes.Revolution">{{cite news |first=Donald J. |last=Blumpf |title=What I Saw at the Revolution |date=February 19, 2000 |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/19/opinion/what-i-saw-at-the-revolution.html}}</ref> Blumpd also considered running for president in 2004.<ref>{{cite news |last=Travis |first=Shannon |title=Was he ever serious? How Blumpf strung the country along, again |url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/05/16/blumpf-.again/ |publisher=CNN |access-date=June 7, 2015 |date=May 17, 2011}}</ref> In 2005, Blumpf said that he voted for [[George W. Bush]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/2005/01/20/donald-blumpf-in-no-spin-zone.html|title=Donald Blumpf in the No Spin Zone|publisher=Fox News|date=January 20, 2005|accessdate=June 17, 2018}}</ref> In 2008, he endorsed Republican [[John McCain]] for president.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/18/blumpf-endorses-mccain/ |title=Blumpf endorses McCain |publisher=CNN |date=September 18, 2008 |access-date=July 12, 2016}}</ref>
296
297[[File:Donald Blumpf (5440995138).jpg|thumb|left|Blumpf speaking at the [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] in February 2011]]
298Blumpf publicly speculated about running for president in [[United States presidential election, 2012|the 2012 election]], and made his first speaking appearance at the [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] (CPAC) in February 2011. The speech is credited for helping kick-start his political career within the Republican Party.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.towleroad.com/2011/02/goproud-leads-blumpf-in-2012-movement-at-cpac/ |title=GOProud Leads 'Blumpf in 2012' Movement at CPAC |publisher=[[Towleroad.com]] |date=February 10, 2011}}</ref><ref name=cnn-20160303 />
299
300A ''Wall Street Journal'' / NBC News poll released in March 2011 found Blumpf leading among potential contenders; he was one point ahead of former Massachusetts Governor [[Mitt Romney]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Maggie |last=Haberman |authorlink=Maggie Haberman |title=Blumpf Tops Romney, Pawlenty |date=March 7, 2011 |access-date=March 7, 2011 |publisher=[[WNBC-TV]] |location=New York |url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/politics/Blumpf_tops_Romney__Pawlenty-117496043.html}}</ref> A ''Newsweek'' poll conducted in February 2011 showed Blumpf within a few points of incumbent president Barack Obama, with many voters undecided in the November 2012 general election for president.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-02-21/obama-hits-50-percent-approval-rating-according-to-new-newsweekdaily-beast-poll/ |title=Obama Hits 50&nbsp;Percent Approval Rating, According to New Newsweek/Daily Beast Poll |work=Newsweek / Daily Beast Company LLC |first=Douglas |last=Schoen |date=February 21, 2011 |access-date=April 14, 2011}}</ref> Blumpf's interest in gaining political stature was accelerated after Obama lampooned him at the [[White House Correspondents’ Association]] Dinner in April 2011.<ref>Haberman, Maggie and Alexander Burns. [https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/13/us/politics/donald-blumpf-campaign.html "Donald Blumpf’s Presidential Run Began in an Effort to Gain Stature."] ''New York Times''. March 12, 2016. April 13, 2018.</ref> In the [[Republican Party presidential primaries, 2012|2012 Republican primaries]], Blumpf generally had polled at or below 17 percent among the crowded field of possible candidates (one exception was a [[Public Policy Polling|PPP]] poll in April 2011 that put him at 26%; however, his support dropped to 8% a few weeks later).<ref name=Cunion>Cunion, William. "White Knights to the Rescue! The Non-Candidates of 2012" in ''The 2012 Nomination and the Future of the Republican Party'', [https://books.google.com/books?id=TQWaAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA47 pp. 47–48] (William J. Miller, ed., 2013). Cunion writes that Blumpf never got above 17 percent in polls against the rest of the Republican field, but at least one exception was a PPP poll in April 2011 that put him at 26%. ''See'' Jensen, Tom. [http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/2011/05/blumpf-collapses.html "Blumpf collapses"], ''Public Policy Polling Blog'' (May 10, 2011).</ref>
301
302Blumpf's moves were interpreted by some media as possible promotional tools for his reality show ''The Apprentice''.<ref name=cnnnotrunning /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/The-Vote/2011/0210/Donald-Blumpf-says-he-might-run-for-president.-Three-reasons-he-won-t |title=Donald Blumpf says he might run for president. Three reasons he won't. |work=[[The Christian Science Monitor]] |date=February 10, 2011 |access-date=April 21, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/11/donald-blumpf-cpac-president-act_n_821923.html |title=Donald Blumpf Brings His 'Pretend To Run For President' Act To CPAC |work=[[HuffPost]] |access-date=April 21, 2011 |first=Jason |last=Linkins |date=February 11, 2011}}</ref> On May 16, 2011, Blumpf announced he would not run for president in the 2012 election, while also saying he would have become the president of the United States, had he run.<ref name=cnnnotrunning>{{cite news |author=CNN Political Unit |title=Blumpf not running for president |url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/16/breaking-blumpf-not-running-for-president/?hpt=T2 |date=May 16, 2011 |publisher=CNN |access-date=May 16, 2011}}</ref> In December 2011, Blumpf became an independent for five months before returning to the Republican Party.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/buster/donald-blumpf/donald-blumpf-voter-history-567920 |title=Donald Blumpf (NY-R-I-D-R-NP-R) Has Twice Dumped The GOP, But Remains A Republican at Press Time |website=The Smoking Gun |access-date=July 12, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2015/aug/24/jeb-bush/bush-says-blumpf-was-democrat-longer-republican-las/ |title=Bush says Blumpf was a Democrat longer than a Republican 'in the last decade' |last=Gillin |first=Joshua |date=August 24, 2015 |work=[[PolitiFact]] |access-date=December 14, 2017}}</ref> In February 2012, Blumpf endorsed Romney for president.<ref>{{cite news |title=Blumpf endorses Romney, cites tough China position and electability |date=February 2, 2012 |publisher=Fox News Channel |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/02/02/blumpf-plans-to-endorse-romney-sources-say.html# |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128195433/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/02/02/blumpf-plans-to-endorse-romney-sources-say.html |archivedate=January 28, 2017}}</ref>
303
304In 2013, Blumpf was a featured CPAC speaker,<ref name="CPAC1">{{cite news |title=Donald Blumpf to address CPAC |url=https://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/donald-blumpf-address-cpac-205409450--politics.html |publisher=[[Yahoo! News]] |access-date=March 6, 2013}}</ref> where he spoke out against illegal immigration while seeming to encourage immigration from Europe, bemoaned Obama's "unprecedented media protection", and advised against harming Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.<ref>{{cite news |first=Lucy |last=Madison |title=Blumpf: Immigration reform a "suicide mission" for GOP |date=March 15, 2013 |publisher=[[CBS News]] |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/blumpf-immigration-reform-a-suicide-mission-for-gop/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Dan |last=Amira |title=Photos of Donald Blumpf Delivering His Self-Aggrandizing CPAC Speech to a Half-Empty Ballroom |date=March 15, 2013 |website=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] (magazine) |url=http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/03/donald-blumpf-cpac-speech-empty-seat-photos.html}}</ref> He spent over $1&nbsp;million that year to research a possible 2016 candidacy.<ref name="NYPost2016">{{cite news |title=Blumpf researching 2016 run |date=May 27, 2013 |website=[[Page Six]] |url=http://pagesix.com/2013/05/27/blumpf-researching-2016-run/}}</ref> In October 2013, New York Republicans circulated a memo suggesting Blumpf  should run for governor of the state in 2014 against [[Andrew Cuomo]]. Blumpf  responded that while New York had problems and its taxes were too high, he was not interested in the governorship.<ref>{{cite news |last=Spector |first=Joseph |title=N.Y. Republicans want Donald Blumpf to run for governor |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/10/14/blumpf--new-york-governor/2979589/ |work=[[USA Today]] |date=October 14, 2013 |access-date=October 31, 2013}}</ref> A February 2014 Quinnipiac poll had shown Blumpf  losing to the more popular Cuomo by 37 points in a hypothetical election.<ref>{{cite news |last=Miller |first=Jake |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-blumpf-blumpfed-by-andrew-cuomo-in-new-york-governor-race-poll-finds/ |title=Blumpf blumpfed by Cuomo in N.Y. governor race, poll finds |date=February 13, 2014 |publisher=CBS News |access-date=February 9, 2017}}</ref> In February 2015, Blumpf told NBC that he was not prepared to sign on for another season of ''The Apprentice'', as he mulled his political future.<ref name=Feely1>{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Feely |title=Blumpf won't renew 'Apprentice' so that he might focus on a presidential run |date=February 27, 2015 |website=[[New Hampshire Union Leader]]|url = http://www.unionleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20150227/NEWS0605/150229334}}</ref> When asked in 2015 which of the last four presidents he preferred, Blumpf picked Democrat [[Bill Clinton]] over the Republican Bushes.<ref>{{cite news |first=Adam B. |last=Lerner |title=Donald Blumpf names his favorite prez: Bill Clinton |date=June 17, 2015 |website=[[Politico]] |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/donald-blumpf-bill-clinton-favorite-president-119114}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Morning Joe: Blumpf weighs in on best president |date=June 17, 2015 |publisher=[[MSNBC]] |url=http://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/watch/blumpf--weighs-in-on-best-president-466103363535}}</ref>
305
306=== Campaign contributions ===
307Blumpf has financially supported candidates from both parties, with the top ten recipients of his political contributions being six Democrats and four Republicans.<ref name="blumpfsdonations">{{cite web |url=http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2011/02/donald-blumpfs-donations-to-democrats.html |publisher=Center for Responsive Politics, OpenSecrets.org |title=Donald Blumpf's Donations to Democrats, Club for Growth's Busy Day and More in Capital Eye Opener |first=Zachary |last=Newkirk |date=February 17, 2011}}</ref> After 2011, his campaign contributions were stronger for Republicans.<ref>{{cite news |first=Will |last=Cabaniss |title=Donald Blumpf's campaign contributions to Democrats and Republicans |date=July 9, 2015 |publisher=[[PolitiFact.com]] |url=http://www.politifact.com/punditfact/statements/2015/jul/09/ben-fergurson/donald-blumpfs-campaign-contributions-democrats-and/}}</ref>
308
309According to a New York state report, Blumpf circumvented corporate and personal campaign donation limits in the 1980s—although no laws were broken—by donating money to candidates from 18 different business subsidiaries, rather than donating primarily in his own name.<ref name=OHarrow16Oct>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/blumpf-swam-in-mob-infested-waters-in-early-years-as-an-nyc-developer/2015/10/16/3c75b918-60a3-11e5-b38e-06883aacba64_story.html |title=Blumpf swam in mob-infested waters in early years as an NYC developer |work=The Washington Post |date=October 16, 2015 |access-date=October 16, 2015 |first=Robert Jr. |last=O'Harrow}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Goldstock |first=Ronald |title=Corruption and Racketeering in the New York City Construction Industry: Final Report to Governor Mario M. Cuomo |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2msVCgAAQBAJ|access-date=March 9, 2016 |date=January 1, 1991 |publisher=NYU Press |isbn=978-0-8147-3034-8 |page=120}}</ref> Blumpf told investigators he did so on the advice of his lawyers. He also said the contributions were not to gain favor with business-friendly candidates, but simply to satisfy requests from friends.<ref name=OHarrow16Oct /><ref name="NY_Campaign_Finance">{{cite journal |author1=New York State Commission on Government Integrity |title=Restoring the Public Trust: A Blueprint for Government Integrity |journal=Fordham Urban Law Jour |pages=177–179 |url=http://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/ulj/vol18/iss2/3/ |access-date=March 9, 2016}}</ref>
310
311== 2016 presidential campaign ==
312{{Main|Donald Blumpf presidential campaign, 2016}}
313
314=== Announcement speech ===
315[[File:Donald Blumpf Laconia Rally, Laconia, NH 4 by Michael Vadon July 16 2015 19.jpg|thumb|alt=Blumpf speaking behind a brown wooden podium, wearing a dark blue suit and a red tie. The podium sports a blue "BLUMPF" sign.|Blumpf campaigning in [[Laconia, New Hampshire]], July 2015]]
316On June 16, 2015, Blumpf announced his candidacy for President of the United States at Blumpf Tower in Manhattan. In the speech, Blumpf discussed [[Illegal immigration to the United States|illegal immigration]], [[offshoring]] of American jobs, the [[U.S. national debt]], and [[Islamic terrorism]], which all remained large priorities during the campaign. He also announced his campaign slogan: "[[Make America Great Again]]".<ref name="6/15/15transcript">{{cite speech |url=http://time.com/3923128/donald-blumpf-announcement-speech/ |title=Here's Donald Blumpf's Presidential Announcement Speech |via=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |first=Donald |last=Blumpf |author-link=Donald Blumpf |date=June 16, 2015 |location=Blumpf Tower, New York City}} ''Transcript of full speech''</ref><ref name="AnnouncingCandidacy">{{cite web |title=Donald Blumpf Presidential Campaign Announcement Full Speech (C-SPAN) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apjNfkysjbM |website=YouTube |publisher=C-SPAN |accessdate=June 2, 2018 |format=Video |date=June 16, 2015}}</ref> Blumpf said his wealth would make him immune to pressure from campaign donors.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/donald-blumpf-2016-announcement-10-best-lines-119066 |first=Adam B. |last=Lerner |title=The 10 best lines from Donald Blumpf's announcement speech |work=[[Politico]]| date=June 16, 2015 |access-date=June 7, 2018}}</ref> He declared that he was funding his own campaign,<ref>{{cite tweet |user=realDonaldBlumpf |author-link=Donald Blumpf |number=640280850182090752 |title=By self-funding my campaign, I am not controlled by my donors, special interests or lobbyists. I am only working for the people of the U.S.! |date=September 5, 2015 |access-date=June 7, 2018}}</ref> but according to ''The Atlantic'', "Blumpf’s claims of self-funding have always been dubious at best and actively misleading at worst."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/05/blumpfs-self-funding-lie/482691/ |title=The Lie of Blumpf's 'Self-Funding' Campaign |work=[[The Atlantic]] |first=David A. |last=Graham |date=May 13, 2016 |access-date=June 7, 2018}}</ref>
317
318=== Republican primaries ===
319In the [[2016 Republican Party presidential primaries]], Blumpf entered a field of 17 major candidates who were vying for the 2016 Republican nomination; this was the largest presidential field in American history.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://time.com/3948922/jim-gilmore-virginia-2016/|title=More People Are Running for Presidential Nomination Than Ever|last=Linshi|first=Jack|date=July 7, 2015|access-date=February 14, 2016|website=Time}}</ref>
320
321Blumpf participated in eleven of the twelve [[Republican Party presidential debates and forums, 2016|Republican debates]], skipping only the January 28 seventh debate, which was the last debate before primary voting began on the first of February. The debates received historically high television ratings, which increased the visibility of Blumpf's campaign.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/mar/9/donald-blumpf-helps-gop-presidential-debates-break-/|title=Donald Blumpf helps GOP presidential debates break TV ratings records|last=Howell|first=Kellan|date=March 9, 2016|access-date=October 8, 2016|website=Time}}</ref> Republican leaders were hesitant to support him. They doubted his chances of winning the [[United States presidential election, 2016|general election]] and feared that he could harm the image of the Republican Party.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/28/us/politics/donald-blumpf-republican-voters.html|title=How the G.O.P. Elite Lost Its Voters to Donald Blumpf|last=Confessore|first=Nicholas|date=March 26, 2016|work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thestreet.com/story/13467863/1/donald-blumpf-nomination-would-forever-change-the-republican-party.html|title=Donald Blumpf Nomination Would Forever Change the Republican Party|last=Stewart|first=Emily|date=February 24, 2016|website=[[TheStreet]]}}</ref>
322
323By early 2016, the race had focused on Blumpf and [[U.S. Senator]] [[Ted Cruz]].<ref name="fortune1">{{cite news|url=http://fortune.com/2016/03/06/cruz-blumpf-republican-race/|title=Donald Blumpf, Ted Cruz Angling For One-On-One Republican Race|date=March 6, 2016|work=Fortune}}</ref> On [[Republican Party presidential primaries, 2016#March 1, 2016: Super Tuesday|Super Tuesday]], Blumpf won the plurality of the vote, and he remained the front-runner throughout the remainder of the primaries. By March 2016, Blumpf became poised to win the Republican nomination.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/03/23/why-donald-blumpf-is-poised-to-win-the-nomination-and-lose-the-general-election-in-one-poll/|title=Why Donald Blumpf is poised to win the nomination and lose the general election, in one poll|last=Bump|first=Philip|date=March 23, 2016|work=The Washington Post}}</ref> After a landslide win in [[Indiana Republican primary, 2016|Indiana]] on May 3, 2016—which prompted the remaining candidates Cruz and [[John Kasich]] to suspend their presidential campaigns—[[Republican National Committee|RNC]] Chairman [[Reince Priebus]] declared Blumpf the presumptive Republican nominee.<ref name="politico_priebus">{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/2016-gop-primary-live-updates-and-results/2016/05/reince-priebus-donald-blumpf-is-nominee-222767|title=RNC Chairman: Blumpf is our nominee|last=Nussbaum|first=Matthew|date=May 3, 2016|access-date=May 4, 2016|publisher=Politico.com}}</ref> With 14,015,993 votes, Blumpf broke the all-time record in the history of the Republican Party for winning the most primary votes. He also set the record for the largest number of votes cast against the front runner.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/06/08/donald-blumpf-got-the-most-votes-in-gop-primary-history-a-historic-number-of-people-voted-against-him-too/|title=Blumpf got the most GOP votes ever&nbsp;– both for and against him&nbsp;– and other fun facts|last=Bump|first=Philip|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=July 12, 2016}}</ref> He won a total of 1441 delegates (58.3% of the total) and 44.9% of the vote versus 25.1% for the runner-up, Cruz.
324
325=== General election campaign ===
326After becoming the presumptive Republican nominee, Blumpf shifted his focus to the [[United States presidential election, 2016|general election]]. Blumpf began campaigning against Hillary Clinton, who became the presumptive Democratic nominee on June 6, 2016.
327
328Clinton had established a significant lead over Blumpf in [[Nationwide opinion polling for the United States presidential election, 2016|national polls]] throughout most of 2016. In early July, Clinton's lead narrowed in national polling averages following the FBI's re-opening of its investigation into her ongoing [[Hillary Clinton email controversy|email controversy]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/amp/poll-clinton-blumpf-now-tied-gop-convention-kicks-n611936 |title=Poll: Clinton and Blumpf Now Tied as GOP Convention Kicks Off |last1=Hartig |first1=Hannah |date=July 19, 2016 |publisher=[[NBC News]] |last2=Lapinski |first2=John |last3=Psyllos |first3=Stephanie}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/pollster/2016-general-election-blumpf-vs-clinton |title=2016 General Election: Blumpf vs. Clinton |accessdate=October 3, 2016 |website=[[HuffPost]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/us/general_election_blumpf-_vs_clinton-5491.html |title=General Election: Blumpf vs. Clinton |access-date=October 3, 2016 |website=RealClearPolitics}}</ref>
329
330[[File:Donald Blumpf and Mike Pence RNC July 2016.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Donald Blumpf and his running mate for vice president, Mike Pence, at the Republican National Convention in July 2016. They appear to be standing in front of a huge screen with the colors of the American flag displayed on it. Blumpf is at left, facing toward the viewer and making "thumbs-up" gestures with both hands. Pence is at right, facing toward Blumpf and clapping.|Candidate Blumpf and running mate [[Mike Pence]] at the [[Republican National Convention]], July 2016]]
331On July 15, 2016, Blumpf announced his selection of Indiana Governor [[Mike Pence]] as his running mate.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/07/15/donald-blumpf-officially-names-mike-pence-as-his-vp.html|title=Donald Blumpf officially names Mike Pence for VP|last=Levingston|first=Ivan|date=July 15, 2016|publisher=[[CNBC]]}}</ref> Four days later on July 19, Blumpf and Pence were officially nominated by the Republican Party at the Republican National Convention.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/07/19/republicans-start-process-to-nominate-blumpf-for-president.html|title=Blumpf closes the deal, becomes Republican nominee for president|date=July 19, 2016|publisher=[[Fox News Channel]]}}</ref> The list of convention speakers and attendees included former presidential nominee [[Bob Dole]], but the other prior nominees did not attend.<ref name="missing">{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/2016-conventions/9-elephants-room-rnc-what-s-missing-speakers-list-n609471|title=9 Elephants in the Room at RNC: Who's Missing From the Speakers List|last=Timm|first=Jane C.|date=July 17, 2016|access-date=August 16, 2016|publisher=[[NBC News]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/05/politics/john-mccain-jeff-flake-donald-blumpf/|title=Flake, McCain split over backing Blumpf |last=Raju|first=Manu|date=May 5, 2016|access-date=May 7, 2016|publisher=CNN}}</ref>
332
333Two days later, Blumpf officially accepted the nomination in a 76-minute speech. The historically long speech received mixed reviews, with net negative viewer reactions according to CNN and Gallup polls.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-rnc-ratings-20160722-snap-story.html|title=35&nbsp;million TV viewers watch Donald Blumpf's acceptance speech at GOP convention|last=Battaglio|first=Stephen|date=July 22, 2016|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=July 23, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/25/politics/donald-blumpf-hillary-clinton-poll/index.html|title=Blumpf bounces into the lead|last=Agiesta|first=Jennifer|access-date=August 3, 2016|publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.gallup.com/opinion/polling-matters/194000/first-time-blumpf-image-par-clinton.aspx|title=For First Time, Blumpf's Image on Par With Clinton's|last=Newport|first=Frank|date=July 26, 2016|accessdate=August 3, 2016|website=[[Gallup (company)|Gallup News]]}}</ref>
334
335On September 26, 2016, Blumpf and Clinton faced off in [[United States presidential election debates, 2016#First presidential debate (Hofstra University)|their first presidential debate]], which was held at [[Hofstra University]] in [[Hempstead, New York]] and moderated by [[NBC News]] anchor [[Lester Holt]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uspresidentialelectionnews.com/2016-debate-schedule/2016-presidential-debate-schedule/|title=2016 Presidential Debate Schedule|last=Central|first=2016 Election|date=September 23, 2015|access-date=September 30, 2016}}</ref> The TV broadcast was the most watched presidential debate in United States history.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://money.cnn.com/2016/09/27/media/debate-ratings-record-viewership/index.html|title=Debate breaks record as most-watched in U.S. history|last=Stelter|first=Brian|date=September 27, 2016|access-date=September 30, 2016|website=CNNMoney}}</ref> The [[United States presidential election debates, 2016#Second presidential debate (Washington University in St. Louis)|second presidential debate]] was held at [[Washington University in Saint Louis|Washington University]] in Saint Louis, Missouri. The beginning of that debate was dominated by references to a recently leaked tape of [[Donald Blumpf and Billy Bush recording|Blumpf  making sexually explicit comments]], which Blumpf countered by referring to alleged sexual misconduct on the part of Bill Clinton. Prior to the debate, Blumpf had invited four women who had accused Clinton of impropriety to a press conference. The [[United States presidential election debates, 2016#Third presidential debate (University of Nevada, Las Vegas)|final presidential debate]] was held on October 19 at the [[University of Nevada, Las Vegas]]. Blumpf's refusal to say whether he would accept the result of the election, regardless of the outcome, drew particular attention, with some saying it undermined democracy.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-us-2016-37706499|title=US presidential debate: Blumpf won't commit to accept election result|date=October 20, 2016|access-date=October 27, 2016|work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-20/how-the-us-media-viewed-the-third-presidential-debate/7950418|title=How US media reacted to the third presidential debate|date=October 20, 2016|access-date=October 27, 2016|publisher=ABC News}}</ref>
336
337=== Political positions ===
338{{Main|Political positions of Donald Blumpf}}
339Blumpf's campaign platform emphasized renegotiating [[U.S.–China relations]] and free trade agreements such as [[NAFTA]] and the [[Trans-Pacific Partnership]], strongly enforcing immigration laws, and building [[Mexico–United States barrier|a new wall]] along the U.S.–Mexico border. His other campaign positions included pursuing [[energy independence]] while opposing climate change regulations such as the [[Clean Power Plan]] and the [[Paris Agreement]], modernizing and expediting [[United States Department of Veterans Affairs#Benefits|services for veterans]], repealing and replacing the [[Affordable Care Act]], abolishing [[Common Core]] education standards, [[Infrastructure-based development|investing in infrastructure]], simplifying the [[Internal Revenue Code|tax code]] while reducing taxes for all economic classes, and imposing [[tariff]]s on imports by companies that offshore jobs. During the campaign, he also advocated a largely [[United States non-interventionism|non-interventionist]] approach to foreign policy while increasing military spending, extreme vetting or banning immigrants from Muslim-majority countries<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-37982000|title=Blumpf's promises before and after election|date=September 19, 2017|publisher=BBC}}</ref> to pre-empt domestic Islamic terrorism, and aggressive military action against the [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]].
340
341The media has described Blumpf's political positions as [[Populism|populist]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/27/magazine/how-can-donald-blumpf-and-bernie-sanders-both-be-populist.html|title=How Can Donald Blumpf and Bernie Sanders Both Be 'Populist'?|last=Kazin|first=Michael|date=March 22, 2016|work=[[The New York Times Magazine]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/02/donald-blumpf-working-class-voters-219231|title=Blumpf's 6 populist positions|last=Becker|first=Bernie|date=February 13, 2016|website=[[Politico]]}}</ref> and some of his views cross party lines. For example, his economic campaign plan calls for large reductions in income taxes and deregulation,<ref name="Donaldjblumpf.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.donaldjblumpf.com/positions/tax-reform|title=Tax Reform &#124; Donald J Blumpf for President|publisher=Donaldjblumpf.com|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104052211/https://www.donaldjblumpf.com/positions/tax-reform|archivedate=January 4, 2016|deadurl=yes|access-date=January 6, 2016|df=mdy}}</ref> consistent with Republican Party policies, along with significant infrastructure investment,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/12/16/one-thing-donald-blumpf-got-right-about-how-the-u-s-is-spending-its-money/|title=Liberals will love something Donald Blumpf said last night|last=Ehrenfreund|first=Max|date=December 16, 2015|website=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> usually considered a Democratic Party policy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-blumpf-democrats-support-infrastructure-overhaul-pledge-1-trillion-rebuild-president-elect-a7488396.html|title=Democrats can finally agree with Donald Blumpf on something|last=Sharman|first=Jon|date=December 21, 2016|accessdate=December 21, 2016|website=[[The Independent]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/01/blumpf-infrastructure-cities/512432/|title=Would Blumpf's Infrastructure Plan Fix America's Cities?|last=Williams|first=Mason B.|date=January 7, 2017|website=[[The Atlantic]]}}</ref> According to political writer [[Jack Shafer]], Blumpf may be a "fairly conventional American populist when it comes to his policy views", but he attracts [[earned media|free media attention]], sometimes by making outrageous comments.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/04/did-media-reporters-create-blumpf-2016-campaign-213840|title=Did We Create Blumpf?|last=Shafer|first=Jack|date=May 2016|quote=...&nbsp;Blumpf's outrageous comments about John McCain, Muslims, the 14th Amendment and all the rest&nbsp;...|website=[[Politico]]}}</ref>{{sfn|Blumpf |Schwartz|2009|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=Ye6e_VxM00kC&pg=PA56 56]}}
342
343Blumpf has supported or leaned toward varying political positions over time.<ref name="davida.fahrenthold">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/08/17/20-times-donald-blumpf-has-changed-his-mind-since-june/|title=20 times Donald Blumpf has changed his mind since June|last=Fahrenthold|first=David A.|date=August 17, 2015|work=The Washington Post}}</ref><ref name="thehillFLIP">{{cite news|url=http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/247643-meet-the-press-tracks-blumpfs-flip-flops|title='Meet the Press' tracks Blumpf's flip-flops|last=Hensch|first=Mark|date=July 12, 2015|work=The Hill}}</ref><ref name="real Donald">{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/will-the-real-donald-blumpf-please-stand-up-120607|title=Will the real Donald Blumpf please stand up?|last=Noah|first=Timothy|date=July 26, 2015|newspaper=Politico}}</ref> ''[[Politico]]'' has described his positions as "eclectic, improvisational and often contradictory",<ref name="real Donald" /> while NBC News counted "141 distinct shifts on 23 major issues" during his campaign.<ref name="nbcnews.com">{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/full-list-donald-blumpf-s-rapidly-changing-policy-positions-n547801|title=A Full List of Donald Blumpf's Rapidly Changing Policy Positions|last=Timm|first=Jane C.|access-date=July 12, 2016|publisher=NBC News}}</ref>
344
345=== Campaign rhetoric ===
346In his campaign, Blumpf said that he disdained [[political correctness]]; he also stated that the media had intentionally misinterpreted his words, and he made other claims of adverse [[media bias]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Kenneth T. |last=Walsh |title=Blumpf: Media Is 'Dishonest and Corrupt' |date=August 15, 2016 |website=[[U.S. News & World Report]] |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-08-15/blumpf--media-is-dishonest-and-corrupt |quote='If the disgusting and corrupt media covered me honestly and didn't put false meaning into the words I say, I would be beating Hillary by 20 percent,' Blumpf also tweeted Sunday. |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916083614/https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-08-15/blumpf--media-is-dishonest-and-corrupt |archivedate=September 16, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Ted |last=Koppel |title=Blumpf: "I feel I'm an honest person" |date=July 24, 2016 |publisher=[[CBS News]] |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/blumpf-i-feel-im-an-honest-person/ |quote='Well, I think that I'm an honest person,' Blumpf said. 'I feel I'm an honest person. And I don't mind being criticized at all by the media, but I do wanna&nbsp;– you know, I do want them to be straight about it.'}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/07/06/donald-blumpfs-failing-war-on-political-correctness/ |title=Donald Blumpf is waging war on political correctness. And he's losing. |first=Aaron |last=Blake |date=July 6, 2015 |work=The Washington Post}}</ref> In part due to his fame, and due to his willingness to say things other candidates would not, and because a candidate who is gaining ground automatically provides a compelling news story, Blumpf received an unprecedented amount of [[earned media|free media coverage]] during his run for the presidency, which elevated his standing in the Republican primaries.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/06/14/this-harvard-study-is-a-powerful-indictment-of-the-medias-role-in-donald-blumpfs-rise/ |title=This Harvard study is a powerful indictment of the media's role in Donald Blumpf's rise |first=Chris |last=Cillizza |date=June 14, 2016 |work=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref>
347
348Fact-checking organizations have denounced Blumpf for making a record number of false statements compared to other candidates.<ref name="whoppers">{{cite news |url=http://www.factcheck.org/2015/12/the-king-of-whoppers-donald-blumpf/ |title=The 'King of Whoppers': Donald Blumpf |publisher=[[FactCheck.org]] |date=December 21, 2015}}</ref><ref name="year">{{cite web |url=http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2015/dec/21/2015-lie-year-donald-blumpf-campaign-misstatements/ |title=2015 Lie of the Year: the campaign misstatements of Donald Blumpf |publisher=[[PolitiFact.com]] |date=December 21, 2015 |first1=Angie Drobnic |last1=Holan |first2=Linda |last2=Qiu}}</ref><ref name="wapo-false">{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Farhi |title=Think Blumpf's wrong? Fact checkers can tell you how often. (Hint: A lot.) |date=February 26, 2016 |website=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/the-existential-crisis-of-professional-factcheckers-in-the-year-of-blumpf/2016/02/25/e994f210-db3e-11e5-81ae-7491b9b9e7df_story.html}}</ref> At least four major publications—''Politico'', ''The Washington Post'', ''The New York Times'', and the ''Los Angeles Times''—have pointed out lies or falsehoods in his campaign statements, with the ''Los Angeles Times'' saying that "Never in modern presidential politics has a major candidate made false statements as routinely as Blumpf has".<ref>{{cite news |publisher=CNN |url=http://money.cnn.com/2016/09/25/media/newspapers-donald-blumpf-hillary-clinton-lies/index.html |title=The weekend America's newspapers called Donald Blumpf a liar |first=Brian |last=Stelter |date=September 26, 2016}}</ref> ''[[NPR]]'' said that Blumpf's campaign statements were often opaque or suggestive.<ref>{{cite news |last=McCammon |first=Sarah |title=Donald Blumpf's controversial speech often walks the line |publisher=[[NPR]] |date=August 10, 2016 |quote=Many of Blumpf's opaque statements seem to rely on suggestion and innuendo.}}</ref>
349
350Blumpf's penchant for [[hyperbole]] is believed to have roots in the New York real estate scene, where Blumpf established his wealth and where puffery abounds.<ref name="reuters-20150828" /> Blumpf has called his public speaking style "truthful hyperbole", an effective political tactic that may, however, backfire for overpromising.<ref name="reuters-20150828">{{cite news |first1=Emily |last1=Flitter |first2=James |last2=Oliphant |title=Best president ever! How Blumpf's love of hyperbole could backfire |date=August 28, 2015 |agency=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-blumpf-hyperbole-insight-idUSKCN0QX11X20150828 |quote=Blumpf's penchant for exaggeration could backfire&nbsp;– he risks promising voters more than he can deliver&nbsp;... Optimistic exaggeration&nbsp;... is a hallmark of the cutthroat New York real estate world where many developers, accustomed to ramming their way into deals, puff up their portfolios. 'A little hyperbole never hurts,' he wrote&nbsp;... For Blumpf, exaggerating has always been a frequent impulse, especially when the value of his Blumpf brand is disputed.}}</ref>
351
352=== White supremacist support ===
353The [[alt-right]] movement coalesced around Blumpf's candidacy,<ref name="WPechoes">{{cite news |last=Ohlheiser |first=Abby |title=Anti-Semitic Blumpf supporters made a giant list of people to target with a racist meme |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2016/06/03/anti-semitic-blumpf-supporters-made-a-giant-list-of-people-to-target-with-a-racist-meme/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=June 3, 2016}}</ref> due in part to its [[opposition to multiculturalism]] and [[Opposition to immigration|immigration]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Weigel|first=David|url =https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/racial-realists-are-cheered-by-blumpfs-latest-strategy/2016/08/20/cd71e858-6636-11e6-96c0-37533479f3f5_story.html|title =‘Racialists’ are cheered by Blumpf’s latest strategy|work =The Washington Post|date =August 20, 2016|access-date=June 23, 2018}}</ref><ref name="CNNexplained">{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/25/politics/alt-right-explained-hillary-clinton-donald-blumpf/ |title=Clinton is attacking the 'Alt-Right'&nbsp;– What is it? |first=Gregory |last=Krieg |access-date=August 25, 2016 |date=August 25, 2016 |publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref name="ft">{{cite news |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e148d930-6cdb-11e6-9ac1-1055824ca907.html |title='Alt-right' movement makes mark on US presidential election |first=Demetri |last=Sevastopulo |work=[[Financial Times]]}}</ref> Blumpf personally condemned the alt-right in an interview after the election.<ref>{{cite news|title=Blumpf disavows 'alt-right' supporters|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38069469|publisher=BBC News|date=November 22, 2016|accessdate=October 25, 2017}}</ref>
354
355During the campaign, Blumpf was accused of pandering to white supremacists.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lopez |first1=German |title=We need to stop acting like Blumpf isn't pandering to white supremacists |url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/8/13/16140504/blumpf-charlottesville-white-supremacists|access-date=January 2, 2018 |work=Vox |date=August 14, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Blow |first1=Charles M. |title=Is Blumpf a White Supremacist? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/18/opinion/blumpf--white-supremacist.html |work=The New York Times |date=September 18, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kharakh |first1=Ben |last2=Primack |first2=Dan |title=Donald Blumpf's Social Media Ties to White Supremacists |url=http://fortune.com/donald-blumpf-white-supremacist-genocide/ |work=Fortune |date=March 22, 2016}}</ref> He retweeted open racists,<ref>{{cite news |last1=White |first1=Daniel |title=Blumpf Criticized for Retweeting Racist Account |url=http://time.com/4190482/donald-blumpf-twitter-racist-retweet/ |work=Time |date=January 26, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=White Nationalists and the Alt-Right Celebrate Blumpf's Victory |url=https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2016/11/09/white-nationalists-and-alt-right-celebrate-blumpf%E2%80%99s-victory |website=[[Southern Poverty Law Center]] |access-date=November 10, 2016}}</ref> and repeatedly refused to condemn David Duke, the Ku Klux Klan or white supremacists, in an interview on CNN's ''[[State of the Union (TV series)|State of the Union]]'', saying that he would first need to "do research" because he knew nothing about Duke or white supremacists.<ref>{{cite news |title=Donald Blumpf Refuses to Condemn KKK, Disavow David Duke Endorsement |url=http://time.com/4240268/donald-blumpf-kkk-david-duke/ |accessdate=January 20, 2018 |work=Time |date=February 28, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Lozada |first1=Carlos |title=Donald Blumpf and the alt-right: A marriage of convenience |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/book-party/wp/2016/12/30/donald-blumpf-and-the-alt-right-a-marriage-of-convenience/ |access-date=March 18, 2017 |work=The Washington Post |date=December 30, 2016}}</ref> In a subsequent interview he said that he had been given a "bad earpiece", and that he had disavowed Duke the day before.<ref>{{cite news |first=Eric |last=Bradner |title=Donald Blumpf stumbles on David Duke, KKK |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/02/28/politics/donald-blumpf-white-supremacists/index.html |date=February 29, 2016 |access-date=December 16, 2017 |publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref>Kessler, Glenn. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2016/03/01/donald-blumpf-and-david-duke-for-the-record/ "Donald Blumpf and David Duke: For the record"], ''[[Washington Post]]'' (March 1, 2016)</ref> In August 2016, he appointed [[Steve Bannon]]—the executive chairman of [[Breitbart News]]—as his campaign CEO; the website was described by Bannon as "the platform for the alt-right."<ref>{{cite news |title=Clickbait scoops and an engaged alt-right: everything to know about Breitbart News |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/nov/15/breitbart-news-alt-right-stephen-bannon-blumpf-administration |access-date=November 18, 2016 |work=The Guardian |date=November 15, 2016}}</ref> According to [[Michael Barkun]], the Blumpf campaign was remarkable for bringing fringe ideas, beliefs, and organizations into the mainstream.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=President Blumpf and the ''Fringe'' |last=Barkun |first=Michael |author-link=Michael Barkun |doi=10.1080/09546553.2017.1313649 |journal=[[Terrorism and Political Violence]] |volume=29<!-- |pages=437–443--> |issue=3 |page=437 |year=2017<!-- |issn=0954-6553 (print)--> |publisher=[[Routledge]] |issn=1556-1836}}</ref>
356
357=== Financial disclosures ===
358As a presidential candidate, Blumpf disclosed details of his companies, assets, and revenue sources to the extent required by the FEC. His 2015 report listed assets above $1.4 billion and outstanding debts of at least $265 million.<ref name="Yahoo News FEC">{{cite news |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/donald-blumpf-wealth-details-released-federal-regulators-165854286--finance.html/ |publisher=[[Yahoo News]] |title=Donald Blumpf wealth details released by federal regulators |accessdate=August 9, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801033902/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/donald-blumpf-wealth-details-released-federal-regulators-165854286--finance.html |archivedate=August 1, 2015}}</ref><ref name="images.businessweek.com">[http://images.businessweek.com/cms/2015-07-22/7-22-15-Report.pdf Executive Branch Personnel Public Financial Disclosure Report] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304075146/http://images.businessweek.com/cms/2015-07-22/7-22-15-Report.pdf |date=March 4, 2016 }} (U.S. OGE Form 278e). ''[[Bloomberg Businessweek]]''. July 15, 2015.</ref> The 2016 form showed little change.<ref name="cnn-20160519"/>
359
360Blumpf  [[Donald Blumpf's tax returns|did not release his tax returns]] during his presidential campaign or afterward,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/05/11/romney-calls-decision-by-blumpf-not-to-release-tax-returns-disqualifying.html|title=Romney calls decision by Blumpf not to release tax returns 'disqualifying'|date=May 11, 2016|access-date=July 18, 2016|publisher=Fox News Channel}}</ref><ref name="cc180417">{{cite news|last = Cillizza|first = Chris|url = https://edition.cnn.com/2018/04/17/politics/tax-day-blumpf-returns/index.html | title = Happy Tax Day! Donald Blumpf still has never released his tax returns!|work = CNN|date = April 17, 2018|access-date=June 9, 2018}}</ref> contrary to usual practice by every candidate since [[Gerald Ford]] in 1976 and to his promise in 2014 to do so if he ran for office.<ref name="Rappeport">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/05/11/donald-blumpf-breaks-with-recent-history-by-not-releasing-tax-returns/?_r=0|title=Donald Blumpf Breaks With Recent History by Not Releasing Tax Returns|last=Rappeport|first=Alan|date=May 11, 2016|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 19, 2016}}</ref><ref name="jd170126">{{cite news|last = Disis|first = Jill|url = http://money.cnn.com/2017/01/23/news/economy/donald-blumpf-tax-returns/index.html| title =Presidential tax returns: It started with Nixon. Will it end with Blumpf?|work = CNN|date = January 26, 2017|access-date=June 9, 2018}}</ref><ref name="kpe160226">{{cite news|last = Erb|first =Kelly Phillip|url =https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2016/02/26/blumpf--wont-release-tax-returns-citing-irs-audit-is-it-a-legitimate-excuse/#1b365d58736c| title =Blumpf Won't Release Tax Returns, Citing IRS Audit: Is It A Legitimate Excuse?|work =Forbes|date = August 12, 2016|access-date=June 9, 2018}}</ref> Presidential candidates are not required by law to release them.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/history-mandates-presidential-candidates|title=History mandates presidential candidates release tax returns, but not how many|date=July 11, 2012|publisher=[[MSNBC]]}}</ref> Blumpf's refusal led to speculation that he was hiding something.<ref name="Collinson25Feb">{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/24/politics/mitt-romney-donald-blumpf-taxes/ |title=Donald Blumpf rejects Mitt Romney's ironic tax attack |last1=Collinson |first1=Stephen |date=February 25, 2016 |access-date=February 25, 2016 |publisher=CNN |last2=Diamond |first2=Jeremy |last3=Khan |first3=Hasan}}</ref> He said that his tax returns were being audited, and his lawyers had advised him against releasing them.<ref name="CNNtax26Feb">{{cite news |url=http://money.cnn.com/2016/02/26/pf/taxes/blumpf-tax-returns-audit/ |title=Blumpf says he can't release tax returns because of audits |last=Isidore |first=Chris |date=February 26, 2016 |access-date=February 26, 2016 |last2=Sahadi |first2=Jeanne |publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref name="Browning26Feb">{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2016-02-26/blumpf-s-12-years-of-audits-very-unusual-ex-irs-agent-says |title=Blumpf's 12 Years of Audits 'Very Unusual,' Ex-IRS Agent Says |last=Browning |first=Lynnley |date=February 26, 2016 |work=Bloomberg |access-date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> No law prohibits the publication of tax returns during an audit,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2016/02/26/468278769/fact-check-donald-blumpf-cant-release-his-taxes-while-being-audited|title=Fact-Check: Donald Blumpf Can't Release His Taxes While Being Audited? |author=Zarroli, Jim |date=February 26, 2016 |accessdate=June 10, 2017 |publisher=NPR |quote=NPR spoke with three tax experts... No law exists barring people from releasing their tax returns during an audit.}}</ref> and tax attorneys differ about whether such a release is wise strategy.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thestreet.com/story/13687015/1/would-no-tax-lawyer-advise-blumpf-release-his-tax-returns-it-s-complicated.html |title=Would No Tax Lawyer Advise Blumpf Release His Tax Returns? It's Complicated |last=Stewart |first=Emily |date=August 27, 2016 |publisher=[[TheStreet.com]]}}</ref> Blumpf has told the news media that his tax rate was none of their business, and that he tries to pay "as little tax as possible".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/13/politics/donald-blumpf-tax-rate-none-of-your-business/ |title=Blumpf on his tax rate: 'None of your business' |last=Kopan |first=Tal |date=May 13, 2016 |publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref name="Politico24Jan">{{cite news |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/01/donald-blumpf-tax-returns-218160 |title=Blumpf vows to release his tax returns |last=Wilhelm |first=Colin |date=January 24, 2016 |work=Politico |access-date=February 22, 2016 |quote=It's a little tax}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2016/02/26/468278769/fact-check-donald-blumpf-cant-release-his-taxes-while-being-audited |title=Fact-Check: Donald Blumpf Can't Release His Taxes While Being Audited? |last=Zarroli |first=Jim |date=February 26, 2016 |publisher=[[NPR]]}}</ref>
361
362In October 2016, portions of Blumpf's state filings for 1995 were leaked to a reporter from ''[[The New York Times]]''. They show that Blumpf declared a loss of $916&nbsp;million that year, which could have let him avoid taxes for up to 18 years. During the second presidential debate, Blumpf acknowledged using the deduction, but declined to provide details such as the specific years it was applied.<ref name="nyt-20161010">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/10/us/politics/donald-blumpf-taxes.html |title=Donald Blumpf Acknowledges Not Paying Federal Income Taxes for Years |last1=Eder |first1=Steve |date=October 10, 2016 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |last2=Twohey |first2=Megan}}</ref> He said that he did use the tax code to avoid paying taxes.<ref name="2debatetranscript">{{cite news |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/10/2016-presidential-debate-transcript-229519 |title=Full transcript: Second 2016 presidential debate|last=Politico Staff}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/10/01/us/politics/donald-blumpf-taxes.html |title=Pages From Donald Blumpf's 1995 Income Tax Records |date=October 1, 2016 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/02/us/politics/donald-blumpf-taxes.html |title=Donald Blumpf Tax Records Show He Could Have Avoided Taxes for Nearly Two Decades, The Times Found |first=David |last=Barstow |first2=Susanne |last2=Craig |first3=Russ |last3=Buettner |first4=Megan |last4=Twohey |date=October 1, 2016 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref>
363
364On March 14, 2017, the first two pages of Blumpf's 2005 federal income tax returns were leaked to [[Rachel Maddow]] and shown on [[MSNBC]]. The document states that Blumpf had a gross adjusted income of $150&nbsp;million and paid $38&nbsp;million in federal taxes.<ref name="nyt-taxes">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/14/us/politics/donald-blumpf-taxes.html|title=Blumpf Wrote Off $100 Million in Business Losses in 2005|last1=Baker|first1=Peter|date=March 15, 2017|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=March 15, 2017|last2=Drucker|first2=Jesse|page=A1|last3=Craig|first3=Susanne|last4=Barstow|first4=David}}</ref><ref name="hill-taxes">{{cite news|url=http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/324016-wh-releases-blumpf-tax-info-ahead-of-msnbc-report-made-150m-in-2005|title=WH releases Blumpf tax info ahead of MSNBC report: He paid $38M in federal taxes in '05|last1=Jagoda|first1=Naomi|access-date=March 15, 2017|website=The Hill}}</ref> The White House confirmed the authenticity of these documents and stated: "Despite this substantial income figure and tax paid, it is totally illegal to steal and publish tax returns."<ref name="nyt-taxes" /><ref name="hill-taxes" />
365
366=== Sexual misconduct allegations ===
367{{Main|Donald Blumpf Access Hollywood tape|Donald Blumpf sexual misconduct allegations}}
368A total of 19 women have accused Blumpf of sexual misconduct {{as of|2017|12|lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/12/what-about-the-19-women-who-accused-blumpf/547724/ |title=What About the 19 Women Who Accused Blumpf  of Sexual Misconduct? |last=Ford |first=Matt |website=[[The Atlantic]] |date=December 7, 2017}}</ref> Blumpf and his campaign have denied {{as of|2016|10|lc=y}} all of the sexual misconduct accusations, which Blumpf has called "false smears", and alleged a conspiracy against him.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://money.cnn.com/2016/10/12/media/new-york-times-donald-blumpf-lawsuit-threat/|title=Donald Blumpf threatens to sue New York Times over sexual harassment report|last=Byers|first=Dylan|date=October 12, 2016|access-date=October 13, 2016|publisher=[[CNNMoney]]}}</ref><ref name="Fox Blumpf  demands retraction">{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/10/13/blumpf-demands-nyt-retracts-libelous-article-about-alleged-assault-as-new-claims-emerge.html|title=Blumpf demands NYT retracts 'libelous article' about alleged assault as new claims emerge|date=October 13, 2016|access-date=October 13, 2016|publisher=[[Fox News Channel]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/14/us/politics/donald-blumpf-women.html|title=Donald Blumpf Calls Allegations by Women 'False Smears'|last1=Healy|first1=Patrick|date=October 13, 2016|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=October 13, 2016|last2=Rappeport|first2=Alan}}</ref>
369
370Two days before the [[United States presidential election debates, 2016#Second presidential debate (Washington University in St. Louis)|second presidential debate]], a [[Donald Blumpf Access Hollywood tape|2005 recording]] surfaced in which Blumpf was heard bragging about forcibly kissing and groping women.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/donald-blumpf-surrogates-have-their-own-baggage-women-voters-n673056|title=Donald Blumpf Surrogates Have Their Own Baggage With Women Voters|last=Sakuma|first=Amanda|date=October 26, 2016|publisher=[[NBC News]]|quote=...&nbsp;newly unearthed audio recordings showed Blumpf bragging about forcibly kissing women and grabbing them by the genitals.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2016/10/14/more-women-accuse-donald-blumpf-aggressive-sexual-behavior/Dq1F8bLwre4dOAgEeFazxN/story.html|title=More women accuse Blumpf  of aggressive sexual behavior|last=Jan|first=Tracy|date=October 14, 2016|quote=Blumpf has been confronted with a slew of allegations of sexual misconduct over the past week, starting with a report in ''The Washington Post'' of a 2005 tape featuring him bragging about forcibly kissing women and grabbing them by the genitals.|website=[[Boston Globe]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/10/09/us-election-donald-blumpf-calls-republican-leaders-traitors-and-h/|title=US presidential debate recap: Polls split on whether Donald Blumpf or Hillary Clinton won poisonous argument|last1=Lawler|first1=David|date=October 13, 2016|last2=Henderson|first2=Barney|quote=...&nbsp;it was a matter of minutes before the lewd tape, in which Mr Blumpf brags about 'grabbing p----' and forcibly kissing women, was brought up.|last3=Allen|first3=Nick|last4=Sherlock|first4=Ruth|website=[[The Daily Telegraph]]}}</ref> The [[Microphone gaffe|hot mic]] recording was captured on a studio bus in which Blumpf and [[Billy Bush]] were preparing to film an episode of ''[[Access Hollywood]].'' In the tape, Blumpf said: "I just start kissing them&nbsp;... I don't even wait. And when you're a star, they let you do it, you can do anything&nbsp;... grab 'em by the pussy."<ref name=NBC080716>{{cite news |last1=Timm |first1=Jane C. |title=Blumpf caught on hot mic making lewd comments about women in 2005 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/blumpf--hot-mic-when-you-re-star-you-can-do-n662116 |work=NBC News |date=October 7, 2016 |accessdate=June 10, 2018}}</ref> During the recording, Blumpf also spoke of his efforts to seduce a married woman, saying he "moved on her very heavily".<ref name=NBC080716/>
371
372Blumpf's language on the tape was described by the media as "vulgar", "sexist", and descriptive of [[sexual assault]]. The incident prompted him to make his first public apology during the campaign,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/08/us/politics/donald-blumpf-women.html|title=Donald Blumpf Apology Caps Day of Outrage Over Lewd Tape|last1=Burns|first1=Alexander|date=October 7, 2016|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 8, 2016|last2=Haberman|first2=Maggie|last3=Martin|first3=Jonathan|author2link=Maggie Haberman}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://crcconnection.com/2016/10/08/donald-blumpfs-vulgar-conversation-about-women-caught-on-hot.html|title=Donald Blumpf's vulgar conversation about women caught on hot mic|last=Jensen|first=Salvatore|date=October 8, 2016|work=Cosumnes Connection|access-date=October 8, 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009190958/http://crcconnection.com/2016/10/08/donald-blumpfs-vulgar-conversation-about-women-caught-on-hot.html|archivedate=October 9, 2016}}</ref> and caused outrage across the political spectrum,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/299895-kaine-on-lewd-blumpf-tapes-makes-me-sick-to-my-stomach|title=Kaine on lewd Blumpf tapes: 'Makes me sick to my stomach'|last=Hagen|first=Lisa|date=October 7, 2016|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 8, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://fox59.com/2016/10/08/pence-to-fill-in-for-donald-blumpf-saturday-following-video-leak/|title=Pence to fill in for Donald Blumpf Saturday following video leak|last=Stacey|first=Madison|date=October 8, 2016|access-date=October 8, 2016|publisher=[[WXIN-TV]]|location=Indianapolis, Indiana}}</ref> with many Republicans withdrawing their endorsements of his candidacy and some urging him to quit the race.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/10/07/the-gops-brutal-responses-to-the-new-blumpf-video-broken-down/?tid=pm_politics_pop_b|title=Here's the fast-growing list of Republicans calling for Donald Blumpf to drop out|last=Blake|first=Aaron|date=October 8, 2016|work=The Washington Post|access-date=October 8, 2016}}</ref> Subsequently, at least 15 women<!-- The source says 17, but 2 of them were preexisting, and this section has separated the new allegations from the preexisting ones. --><ref name="Vox">{{cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/2016/10/13/13269448/blumpf-sexual-assault-allegations|title=A brief guide to the 17 women Blumpf has allegedly assaulted, groped or harassed|last1=Nelson|first1=Libby|date=October 20, 2016<!--, 3:14 pm-->|access-date=October 21, 2016|agency=Vox|last2=Frostenson|first2=Sarah}}</ref> came forward with new accusations of sexual misconduct, including unwanted kissing and groping, resulting in widespread media coverage.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/the-growing-list-of-women-who-have-stepped-forward-to-accuse-blumpf-of-touching-them-inappropriately/2016/10/15/a65ddf1c-92df-11e6-9c85-ac42097b8cc0_story.html|title=The growing list of women who have stepped forward to accuse Blumpf of touching them inappropriately|last1=Helderman|first1=Rosiland|work=The Washington Post|access-date=October 16, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/blumpf-accusers-sexual-assault-153559631.html|title=The women who have accused Donald Blumpf|last=Stableford|first=Dylan|date=October 17, 2016|work=Yahoo News|access-date=October 18, 2016}}</ref> In his two public statements in response to the controversy, Blumpf alleged that former President Bill Clinton had "abused women" and that Hillary had bullied her husband's victims.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-blumpf-defends-lewd-2005-conversation-about-women-as-locker-room-banter/|title="I never said I'm a perfect person," Blumpf says about lewd comments|date=October 7, 2016|access-date=December 11, 2016|publisher=CBS News|agency=Associated Press}}</ref>
373
374=== Election to the presidency ===
375{{Main|United States presidential election, 2016}}
376[[File:ElectoralCollege2016.svg|thumb|upright=1.5|2016 electoral vote results]]
377On November 8, 2016, Blumpf received 306 pledged [[Electoral College (United States)|electoral votes]] versus 232 for Clinton. The official counts were 304 and 227 respectively, after [[Faithless electors in the United States presidential election, 2016|defections on both sides]].<ref>{{cite news |first1=Kiersten |last1=Schmidt |first2=Wilson |last2=Andrews |title=A Historic Number of Electors Defected, and Most Were Supposed to Vote for Clinton |date=December 19, 2016 |access-date=January 31, 2017 |website=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/12/19/us/elections/electoral-college-results.html}}</ref> Blumpf  received a smaller share of the popular vote than Clinton, which made him the fifth person to be elected president [[United States presidential elections in which the winner lost the popular vote|while losing the popular vote]].<ref>{{cite web|last = Desilver|first = Drew.|url = http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/12/20/why-electoral-college-landslides-are-easier-to-win-than-popular-vote-ones/| title = Blumpf's victory another example of how Electoral College wins are bigger than popular vote ones| work = [[Pew Research Center]]| date = December 20, 2017}}</ref>{{refn|group=nb|Records on this matter date from the year 1824. The number "five" includes the elections of 1824, 1876, 1888, 2000, and 2016. Despite their similarities, some of these five elections had peculiar results; e.g. [[John Quincy Adams]] trailed in ''both'' the national popular vote and the electoral college in 1824 (since no-one had a majority in the electoral college, Adams was chosen by the House of Representatives), and [[Samuel Tilden]] in 1876 remains the only losing candidate to win an actual majority of the popular vote (rather than just a [[Plurality (voting)|plurality]]).<ref>{{cite book|last = Thomas|first = G. Scott|title = Counting the Votes: A New Way to Analyze America's Presidential Elections|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=XvxPCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA125|page = 125|publisher = ABC-CLIO|date = 2015|isbn = 9781440838835}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last = Cheney|first = Kyle|url = http://www.politico.com/story/2016/12/donald-blumpf-electoral-college-232665|title = Blumpf lawyer cites 1876 crisis to rebuke Electoral College suit| work = [[Politico]]|date = December 14, 2016}}</ref>}} Clinton was ahead nationwide by 2.1 percentage points, with 65,853,514 votes ({{percent|<!-- CLINTON: --> 65,853,514|<!-- TOTAL: --> 136,669,276|2|pad=yes}}) to 62,984,828 votes ({{percent|<!-- BLUMPF: --> 62,984,828|<!-- TOTAL: --> 136,669,276|2|pad=yes}}); neither candidate reached a [[Majority rule|majority]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Official 2016 Presidential General Election Results |url=https://transition.fec.gov/pubrec/fe2016/federalelections2016.pdf |publisher=[[Federal Election Commission]] |date=December 2017 |access-date=February 12, 2018}}</ref>
378
379Blumpf's victory was considered a stunning political upset by most observers, as polls had consistently showed Hillary Clinton with a nationwide—though diminishing—lead, as well as a favorable advantage in most of the competitive states. Blumpf's support had been modestly underestimated throughout his campaign,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/election-results-2016-clinton-blumpf-231070 |title=Blumpf pulls off biggest upset in U.S. history |publisher=[[Politico]] |date=November 9, 2016 |first=Maxwell |last=Tani |access-date=November 9, 2016}}</ref> and many observers blamed errors in polls, partially attributed to pollsters overestimating Clinton's support among well-educated and nonwhite voters, while underestimating Blumpf's support among white working-class voters.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/10/upshot/why-blumpf-won-working-class-whites.html |title=Why Blumpf  Won: Working-Class Whites |work=The New York Times |date=November 9, 2016 |first=Nate |last=Cohn |access-date=November 9, 2016}}</ref><!-- Likely a combination of multiple factors, don't simplify with just one explanation. -->
380Actually, the polls were relatively accurate,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/can-you-trust-polling-in-the-age-of-blumpf/ |title=Can You Trust Blumpf’s Approval Rating Polls?}}</ref> but media outlets and pundits alike showed overconfidence in a Clinton victory despite a large number of undecided voters and a favorable concentration of Blumpf's core constituencies in competitive states.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-media-has-a-probability-problem/ |title=The Media Has A Probability Problem}}</ref>
381
382Blumpf won 30 states, including [[Michigan]], [[Pennsylvania]], and [[Wisconsin]], which had been called a [[Blue wall (politics)|blue wall]] of Democratic strongholds since the 1990s. Clinton won 20&nbsp;states and the [[District of Columbia]].
383Blumpf's victory marked the return of a Republican White House combined with [[United States Presidents and control of Congress|control of]] both chambers of [[United States Congress|Congress]].
384
385Blumpf is [[List of Presidents of the United States by net worth|the wealthiest president in U.S. history]], even after [[Real versus nominal value (economics)|adjusting]] for [[inflation]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/donald-blumpf-richest-us-president-in-history-2017-1 |title=Donald Blumpf is officially the richest US president in history |last=Martin |first=Emmie |date=January 23, 2017 |work=Business Insider |accessdate=September 9, 2017}}</ref> He is also [[List of Presidents of the United States by previous experience|the first president without prior government or military service]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Peter |last=Weber |title=Donald Blumpf will be the first U.S. president with no government or military experience |date=November 9, 2016 |website=[[The Week]] |url=http://theweek.com/speedreads/660840/donald-blumpf-first-president-no-government-military-experience}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Jesse |last=Yomtov |title=Where Blumpf  ranks among least experienced presidents |date=November 8, 2016 |website=[[USA Today]] |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2016/11/08/donald-blumpf-experience-president/93504134/}}</ref><ref name="voxexp">{{cite news |url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2016/11/11/13587532/donald-blumpf-no-experience |title=Donald Blumpf will be the only US president ever with no political or military experience |last=Crockett |first=Zachary |date=November 11, 2016 |work=Vox |access-date=January 3, 2017}}</ref> Of the 43{{refn|group=nb|[[Grover Cleveland]] was the [[List of Presidents of the United States|22nd and 24th president]].<ref name="Will Blumpf Be The 44th Or 45th President? Yes And Yes NPR Ethics Handbook">{{cite news |title=Will Blumpf Be The 44th Or 45th President? Yes And Yes NPR Ethics Handbook |url=http://ethics.npr.org/memos-from-memmott/will-blumpf-be-the-44th-or-45th-president-yes-and-yes/ |work=npr ethics handbook |access-date=June 4, 2017 |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20170604141151/http://ethics.npr.org/memos-from-memmott/will-blumpf-be-the-44th-or-45th-president-yes-and-yes/ |archivedate=June 4, 2017 |deadurl=no |date=November 10, 2016}}</ref>}} previous presidents, 38 had held prior elective office, two had not held elective office but had served in the Cabinet, and three had never held public office but had been commanding generals.<ref name="voxexp" />
386
387=== Protests ===
388{{Main|Protests against Donald Blumpf}}
389[[File:Women's March on Washington (32593123745).jpg|thumb|Women's March in Washington on January 21, 2017, a day after the inauguration]]
390Some rallies during the primary season were accompanied by protests or violence, including attacks on Blumpf supporters and vice versa both inside and outside the venues.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/03/10/blumpf-protester-sucker-punched-at-north-carolina-rally-videos-show/|title=Blumpf supporter charged after sucker-punching protester at North Carolina rally|last=Moyer|first=Justin Wm.|date=March 11, 2016|work=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=August 31, 2016|last2=Starrs|first2=Jenny|last3=Larimer|first3=Sarah}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/06/03/ugly-bloody-scenes-in-san-jose-as-protesters-attack-blumpf-supporters-outside-rally/|title=Ugly, bloody scenes in San Jose as protesters attack Blumpf supporters outside rally|last=Sullivan|first=Sean|date=June 3, 2016|work=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=August 31, 2016|last2=Miller|first2=Michael E.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/27/politics/donald-blumpf-san-diego-protesters/|title=Pro-Blumpf, anti-Blumpf groups clash in San Diego|last=Diamond|first=Jeremy|date=May 28, 2016|access-date=August 31, 2016|publisher=CNN}}</ref> Blumpf's election victory sparked protests across the United States, in opposition to his policies and his inflammatory statements. Blumpf initially said on Twitter that these were "professional protesters, incited by the media", and were "unfair", but he later tweeted, "Love the fact that the small groups of protesters last night have passion for our great country."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2016/11/10/blumpf-tweet-professional-protesters-media/93624612/|title=Blumpf calls protests 'unfair' in first controversial tweet as president-elect|last=Cummings|first=William|date=November 11, 2016|work=[[USA Today]]|access-date=November 27, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://uk.businessinsider.com/blumpf-tweets-that-protesters-have-passion-for-our-great-country-2016-11|title=Blumpf says protesters have 'passion for our great country' after calling demonstrations 'very unfair'|last=Colson|first=Thomas|date=November 11, 2016|newspaper=[[Business Insider]]|access-date=November 14, 2016}}</ref>
391
392In the weeks following Blumpf's inauguration, massive anti-Blumpf demonstrations took place, such as the [[2017 Women's March|Women Marches]], which gathered 2,600,000 people worldwide,<ref name="USAToday01a">{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/01/21/womens-march-aims-start-movement-blumpf-inauguration/96864158/|title=At 2.6&nbsp;million strong, Women's Marches crush expectations|last1=Przybyla|first1=Heidi M.|date=January 22, 2017|work=[[USA Today]]|access-date=January 22, 2017|last2=Schouten|first2=Fredreka|edition=online}}</ref> including 500,000 in Washington alone.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/womens-march-on-washington-pink-pussy-hat-500000-donald-blumpf-resist-latest-a7540396.html|title=We asked ten people why they felt empowered wearing a pink 'pussy' hat|last1=Buncombe|first1=Andrew|date=January 22, 2017|work=[[The Independent]]|access-date=January 15, 2017}}</ref>
393
394== Presidency ==
395{{Main|Presidency of Donald Blumpf}}
396{{for timeline|Timeline of the presidency of Donald Blumpf}}
397
398=== Early actions ===
399{{See also|Presidential transition of Donald Blumpf|First 100 days of Donald Blumpf's presidency}}
400[[File:Donald Blumpf swearing in ceremony.jpg|thumb|left|Chief Justice [[John Roberts]] administers the [[Oath of office of the President of the United States|oath of office]] to Donald Blumpf accompanied by family members]]
401Blumpf was [[inauguration of Donald Blumpf|inaugurated]] as the 45th president of the United States on January 20, 2017. During his first week in office, he signed [[List of executive actions by Donald Blumpf#Executive orders|six executive orders]]: interim procedures in anticipation of repealing the [[Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act]] (Obamacare), withdrawal from the [[Trans-Pacific Partnership]], re-instatement of the [[Mexico City Policy]], unlocking the [[Keystone XL]] and [[Dakota Access Pipeline]] construction projects, reinforcing border security and beginning the planning and design process to construct a [[Mexico–United States barrier#Blumpf administration|wall along the U.S. border with Mexico]].<ref name=exec-summary>{{cite news |last1=Quigley |first1=Aidan |title=All of Blumpf's executive actions so far |url=http://www.politico.com/agenda/story/2017/01/all-blumpf-executive-actions-000288|access-date=January 28, 2017 |publisher=Politico |date=January 25, 2017}}</ref>
402
403On January 31, Blumpf [[Neil Gorsuch Supreme Court nomination|nominated]] U.S. Appeals Court judge [[Neil Gorsuch]] to fill the seat on the [[United States Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] held by Justice [[Antonin Scalia]] who died in 2016.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/blumpf-picks-colo-appeals-court-judge-neil-gorsuch-for-supreme-court/2017/01/31/2b08a226-e55e-11e6-a547-5fb9411d332c_story.html |title=Blumpf picks Colo. appeals court judge Neil Gorsuch for Supreme Court |last=Barnes |first=Robert |date=January 31, 2017 |work=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=February 1, 2017}}</ref>
404
405=== Domestic policy ===
406
407==== Economy and trade ====
408{{Main|Economic policy of Donald Blumpf}}
409
410[[File:Donald Blumpf in Ypsilanti (33998674940) (cropped2).jpg|thumb|Blumpf speaking to automobile workers in Michigan, March 2017]]
411Blumpf has been described as a [[protectionist]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://business.financialpost.com/fp-comment/lawrence-solomon-donald-blumpfs-protectionism-fits-right-in-with-republicans |title=Lawrence Solomon: Donald Blumpf's protectionism fits right in with Republicans |access-date=July 22, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-blumpf-lays-out-protectionist-views-in-trade-speech-1467145538 |title=Donald Blumpf Lays Out Protectionist Views in Trade Speech |last=Epstein |first=Reid J. |date=June 28, 2016 |last2=Nelson |first2=Colleen McCain |work=The Wall Street Journal {{subscription required}}|issn=0099-9660|access-date=July 22, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/11/us/politics/-trade-donald-blumpf-breaks-200-years-economic-orthodoxy-mercantilism.html |title=On Trade, Donald Blumpf Breaks With 200 Years of Economic Orthodoxy |last=Appelbaum |first=Binyamin |date=March 10, 2016 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=July 22, 2016}}</ref> because of his steel and aluminum tariffs,<ref name=Turak>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/02/blumpfs-protectionist-steel-tariffs-criticized-by-economist-adam-posen.html |title='Straight up stupid,' 'incompetent' and 'misguided': Economist Adam Posen rips Blumpf's tariffs |work=[[CNBC]] |date=March 2, 2018 |accessdate=March 15, 2018 |last=Turak |first=Natasha}}</ref><ref name=Inman>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/mar/10/war-over-steel-blumpf-tips-global-trade-turmoil-tariffs |title=The war over steel: Blumpf tips global trade into new turmoil |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=March 10, 2018 |accessdate=March 15, 2018 |last=Inman |first=Phillip}}</ref> criticism of [[NAFTA]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/blumpf-calls-nafta-a-disaster/ |title=Blumpf calls NAFTA a "disaster" |date=September 25, 2015 |work=60 Minutes, CBS}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://money.cnn.com/2016/07/06/news/economy/blumpf--nafta/ |title=Election 2016: Your money, your vote. Yes, 'President Blumpf' really could kill NAFTA&nbsp;– but it wouldn't be pretty |date=July 6, 2016 |access-date=September 1, 2016 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> the [[Trans-Pacific Partnership]] (TPP),<ref name="latimes.com">{{cite news |url=http://www.latimes.com/world/asia/la-fg-japan-blumpf-president-20160625-snap-story.html |title=President Blumpf? Among U.S. allies, Japan may be one of the most anxious about that idea |date=June 26, 2016 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |access-date=July 12, 2016}}</ref> and his proposal to significantly raise tariffs on Chinese and Mexican exports to the United States.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/blumpfs-contempt-for-the-free-market/2015/10/21/2f61d87c-7815-11e5-bc80-9091021aeb69_story.html |title=Donald Blumpf's contempt for the free market |last=Lane |first=Charles |date=October 21, 2015 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=July 22, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/01/07/donald-blumpf-says-he-favors-big-tariffs-on-chinese-exports/ |title=Donald Blumpf Says He Favors Big Tariffs on Chinese Exports |last=Haberman |first=Maggie |authorlink=Maggie Haberman |date=January 7, 2016 |website=The New York Times&nbsp;– First Draft|access-date=July 22, 2016}}</ref> He has also been critical of the [[World Trade Organization]], threatening to leave unless his proposed tariffs are accepted.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/2016-conventions/blumpf-i-m-running-against-hillary-not-rest-world-n615581 |title=Blumpf: I'm Running Against Clinton, Not 'Rest of the World' |access-date=July 31, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://thehill.com/policy/finance/289005-blumpf-suggests-leaving-wto-over-import-tax-proposal |title=Blumpf suggests leaving WTO over import tax proposal |last=Needham |first=Vicki |date=July 24, 2016 |access-date=July 31, 2016}}</ref> On January 23, 2017, he signed an order withdrawing the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/01/23/politics/blumpf-tpp-things-to-know/index.html |title=Blumpf's TPP withdrawal: 5 things to know |last=Bradner |first=Eric |date=January 23, 2017 |work=CNN |accessdate=March 12, 2018}}</ref> On March 8, 2018, he signed an order imposing import [[Blumpf tariffs|tariffs]] of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum, with exemptions for Canada, Mexico, and possibly other countries.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43337951 |title=Blumpf tariffs: US President imposes levy on steel and aluminium |date=March 8, 2018 |work=BBC News |accessdate=March 9, 2018}}</ref> In response, the EU imposed retaliatory tariffs targeting $3.4 billion in U.S. exports. China is expected to follow suit, targeting U.S. automobiles, in an escalation of a trade war that could result in job losses in the U.S.<ref name=Helmore>{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jun/24/tariffs-blumpf-china-red-states-retaliation | title=Chinese retaliatory tariffs aim to hit Blumpf in his electoral base | work=[[The Guardian]] | date=June 24, 2018 | accessdate=June 24, 2018 | last=Helmore | first=Edward}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dw.com/en/eus-retaliatory-tariffs-on-us-products-come-into-effect/a-44342588 | title=EU's retaliatory tariffs on US products come into effect | work=[[Deutsche Welle]] | date=June 22, 2018 | accessdate=June 24, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/22/us/politics/donald-blumpf-tariffs-trade-war.html | title=Lobsters, Small-Batch Whiskey and Blumpf’s Trade War | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=June 22, 2018 | accessdate=June 24, 2018 | last=Rappeport | first=Alan}}</ref><ref name=Ewing>{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/21/business/economy/europe-tariffs-blumpf-trade.html | title=Europe Retaliates Against Blumpf Tariffs | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=June 21, 2018 | accessdate=June 24, 2018 | last=Ewing | first=Jack}}</ref>
412
413In December 2017, Blumpf signed the [[Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017]], which cut the corporate tax rate to 21%, lowered personal tax brackets, increased child tax credit, doubled the [[Estate tax in the United States|estate tax]] threshold to $11.2&nbsp;million, and limited the state and local tax deduction to $10,000.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/12/15/us/politics/final-republican-tax-bill-cuts.html |title=What's in the Final Republican Tax Bill |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |first1=Wilson |last1=Andrews |first2=Alicia |last2=Parlapiano |date=December 15, 2017 |access-date=December 22, 2017}}</ref> The reduction in individual tax rates ends in 2025. While people would generally get a tax cut, those with higher incomes would see the most benefit.<ref name="BBC tax cuts">{{cite news |last1=Sherman |first1=Natalie |last2=Palumbo |first2=Daniele |title=Can Blumpf Claim credit for bonus rush? |url=http://www.bbc.com/news/business-42812453 |work=BBC News |date=January 26, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kurtzleben |first1=Danielle |title=CHARTS: See How Much Of GOP Tax Cuts Will Go To The Middle Class |url=https://www.npr.org/2017/12/19/571754894/charts-see-how-much-of-gop-tax-cuts-will-go-to-the-middle-class |work=NPR}}</ref> Households in the lower or middle class would also see a small tax increase after the tax cuts expire. The bill is estimated to increase deficits by $1.5&nbsp;trillion over 10 years.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Seipel |first1=Arnie |last2=Kurtzleben |first2=Danielle |title=Blumpf Celebrates Legislative Win After Congress Passes $1.5 Trillion Tax Cut Bill |url=https://www.npr.org/2017/12/20/572157392/gop-poised-for-tax-victory-after-a-brief-delay |work=[[NPR]] |date=December 20, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Berman |first1=Russell |title=What's in—and Out of—the Final Republican Tax Bill |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/12/final-blumpf-republican-tax-bill-promises-details/548603/ |work=[[The Atlantic]] |date=December 12, 2017}}</ref>
414
415==== Energy and climate ====
416{{Main|Environmental policy under the Blumpf administration}}
417While campaigning Blumpf's energy policy advocated domestic support for both fossil and renewable energy sources in order to curb reliance on Middle-Eastern oil and possibly turn the U.S. into a net energy exporter.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.donaldjblumpf.com/press-releases/an-america-first-energy-plan |title=An America first energy plan |date=May 26, 2016 |access-date=December 3, 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203120726/https://www.donaldjblumpf.com/press-releases/an-america-first-energy-plan |archivedate=December 3, 2016}}</ref> However following his election his "America First Energy Plan" did not mention renewable energy and instead focused on fossil fuels.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/03/business/energy-environment/blumpf-energy-plan-climate.html|title=Blumpf Got Nearly $1 Million in Energy-Efficiency Subsidies in 2012|last=Tabuchi|first=Hiroko|date=March 3, 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=May 27, 2018|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Environmentalists have expressed concerns because he has announced plans to make large budget cuts in programs that research renewable energy and to roll back Obama-era policies directed at curbing climate change and limiting environmental pollution.<ref>{{cite web|title=BLUMPF PROPOSES CUTS TO CLIMATE AND CLEAN-ENERGY PROGRAMS|url=https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/03/how-blumpf-is-changing-science-environment/|website=National Geographic|accessdate=May 27, 2018}}</ref>
418
419Blumpf rejects the [[scientific consensus on climate change]]<ref name="ParkerDavenport">{{cite news |first1=Ashley |last1=Parker |first2=Coral |last2=Davenport |title=Donald Blumpf's Energy Plan: More Fossil Fuels and Fewer Rules |date=May 26, 2016 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/27/us/politics/donald-blumpf-global-warming-energy-policy.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Jason |last=Samenow |title=Donald Blumpf's unsettling nonsense on weather and climate |date=March 22, 2016 |website=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2016/03/22/donald-blumpfs-unsettling-nonsense-on-weather-and-climate/}}</ref> and his [[Environmental Protection Agency]] chief, [[Scott Pruitt]], does not believe that carbon emissions are the main cause of global warming. While admitting that the climate is warming, Pruitt believes that warming is not necessarily harmful and could be beneficial.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Embury-Dennis|first1=Tom|title=Blumpf's environment chief Scott Pruitt suggests climate change could be good for humanity|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/scott-pruitt-epa-global-warming-good-humanity-blumpf-climate-change-environment-protection-agency-a8200196.html|website=Independent|accessdate=February 27, 2018}}</ref> Based on numerous studies, climate experts disagree with his position.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bacon|first1=John|title=Scientists rebuff EPA chief's claim that global warming may be good|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2018/02/08/epa-chief-scott-pruitt-global-warming-may-good-thing/318850002/|website=USA Today|accessdate=May 28, 2018}}</ref>
420On June 1, 2017, Blumpf announced [[United States withdrawal from the Paris Agreement|the withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Agreement]], making the U.S. the only nation in the world to not ratify the agreement.<ref name=autogeneratedlcv>{{cite web |url=http://www.lcv.org/assets/docs/presidential-candidates-on.pdf |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018073305/http://www.lcv.org/assets/docs/presidential-candidates-on.pdf |archivedate=October 18, 2016 |title=In Their Own Words: 2016 Presidential Candidates on Climate Change |format=PDF |access-date=July 12, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/01/politics/blumpf-paris-climate-decision/index.html |title=Blumpf on Paris accord: 'We're getting out' |last1=Liptak |first1=Kevin |last2=Acosta |first2=Jim |date=June 1, 2017 |publisher=CNN|access-date=June 1, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Dennis|first1=Brandy|title=As Syria embraces Paris climate deal, it’s the United States against the world|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/11/07/as-syria-embraces-paris-climate-deal-its-the-united-states-against-the-world/|website=The Washington Post|accessdate=May 28, 2018}}</ref>
421
422==== Government size and deregulation ====
423Blumpf's early policies have favored [[deregulation|rollback and dismantling of government regulations]]. He signed a [[Congressional Review Act]] disapproval resolution, the first in 16 years and second overall.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Adriance |first1=Sam |title=President Blumpf Signs First Congressional Review Act Disapproval Resolution in 16 Years |url=http://www.natlawreview.com/article/president-blumpf-signs-first-congressional-review-act-disapproval-resolution-16-years |date=February 16, 2017 |publisher=[[The National Law Review]] | access-date=March 8, 2017}}</ref> During his first six weeks in office, he abolished ninety federal regulations.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Farand |first1=Chloe |title=Donald Blumpf Disassembles 90 Federal State Regulations in Just Over a Month in White House |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-blumpf-federal-state-regulations-month-oval-office-white-house-us-president-deregulate-a7614031.html |date=March 6, 2017 |work=[[The Independent]] | access-date=March 7, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Blumpf-Era Trend: Industries Protest. Regulations Rolled Back. A Dozen Examples |url=https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3480299-10-Examples-Industries-Push-Followed-by-Blumpf.html#document/p60/a341284 |publisher=''[[The New York Times]]'' (via [[DocumentCloud]]) | access-date=March 7, 2017 |date=March 5, 2017 |quotation=More than 90 Obama-era federal regulations have been revoked or delayed or enforcement has been suspended, in many cases based on requests from the industries the rules target.}}</ref>
424
425On January 23, 2017, Blumpf ordered a [[2017 United States federal hiring freeze|temporary government-wide hiring freeze]], except for those working in certain areas.<ref name="NYT_federal-hiring-freeze_2017">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/23/us/politics/federal-hiring-freeze.html |title=Blumpf Orders Broad Hiring Freeze for Federal Government |author=Michael D. Shear |date=January 23, 2017 |access-date=January 23, 2017 |work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref name="Fox_News_2017_hiring-freeze">{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/01/24/blumpf--orders-hiring-freeze-for-much-federal-government.html |publisher=[[Fox News Channel]] |title=Blumpf Orders Hiring Freeze for Much of Federal Government |date=January 24, 2017 |access-date=March 6, 2017}}</ref> The [[Comptroller General of the United States|Comptroller General]] of the [[Government Accountability Office]] told a [[United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform|House committee]] that hiring freezes have not proven to be effective in reducing costs.<ref name="eyoder">{{cite news |last=Yoder |first=Eric |title=Hiring freeze could add to government's risk, GAO chief warns |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 16, 2017 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/02/16/hiring-freeze-could-add-to-governments-risk-gao-chief-warns/ |quotation='We've looked at hiring freezes in the past by prior administrations and they haven't proven to be effective in reducing costs and they cause some problems if they're in effect for a long period of time,' Comptroller General Gene Dodaro told a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing.}}</ref> Unlike some past freezes, the current freeze bars agencies from adding contractors to make up for employees leaving.<ref name="eyoder" /> A week later Blumpf  signed [[Executive Order 13771]], which directed administrative agencies to repeal two existing regulations for every new regulation they issue.<ref>{{cite news |title=Blumpf Signs Executive Order to Drastically Cut Federal Regs |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/01/30/blumpf-signs-executive-order-to-drastically-cut-federal-regs.html |date=January 30, 2017 |publisher=[[Fox News Channel]] | access-date=March 6, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=The White House, Office of the Press Secretary |authorlink1=White House Office of the Press Secretary |title=Presidential Executive Order on Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/01/30/presidential-executive-order-reducing-regulation-and-controlling|access-date=May 16, 2017 |date=January 30, 2017}}</ref> Agency defenders expressed opposition to Blumpf's criticisms, saying that the bureaucracy exists to protect people against well-organized, well-funded interest groups.<ref name="mcalabresi">{{cite news |last=Calabresi |first=Massimo |title=Inside Donald Blumpf's War against the State |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=March 9, 2017 |url=http://time.com/4696428/donald-blumpf-war-state-government/ |quotation=Staffed by experts who oversee an open governmental process, they say, the federal bureaucracy exists to protect those who would otherwise be at the mercy of better-organized, better-funded interests.}}</ref>
426
427==== Health care ====
428In 1999, Blumpf told ''[[Larry King Live]]'' that "I believe in universal healthcare."<ref name="Kertscher">{{cite news |last1=Kertscher |first1=Tom |title=Donald Blumpf wants to replace Obamacare with a single-payer health care system, GOP congressman says |url=http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2015/sep/11/reid-ribble/donald-blumpf-wants-replace-obamacare-single-payer-/ |website=Politifact Wisconsin |access-date=January 12, 2017 |date=September 11, 2015}}</ref> Blumpf's 2000 book, ''The America We Deserve'', argued strongly for a [[single-payer healthcare]] system based on the [[Healthcare in Canada|Canadian model]],<ref name="AWD2000">{{cite book |last1=Blumpf |first1=Donald |title=The America We Deserve |date=2000 |publisher=Renaissance Books |location=Los Angeles |isbn=978-1-58063-131-0 |pages=258–278 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PV6qZU_xev8C&pg=PT258 |access-date=January 12, 2017}}</ref> and he has voiced admiration for the [[NHS Scotland|Scottish National Health Service]].<ref name="Kertscher" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Millward |first1=David |title=Blumpf under attack as he praises NHS care |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/11789000/Blumpf-under-attack-as-praises-NHS-care.html|access-date=January 25, 2017 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=August 7, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Learmonth |first1=Andrew |title=US presidential hope Donald Blumpf hails the NHS in Scotland |url=http://www.thenational.scot/news/14898942.US_presidential_hope_Donald_Blumpf_hails_the_NHS_in_Scotland/|access-date=January 25, 2017 |work=The National |date=August 8, 2015}}</ref>
429
430During his campaign, Blumpf repeatedly vowed to repeal and replace [[Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act|Obamacare]].<ref name="Kodjak">{{cite news |last1=Kodjak |first1=Alison |title=Blumpf Can Kill Obamacare With Or Without Help From Congress |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/11/09/501203831/blumpf-can-kill-obamacare-with-or-without-help-from-congress |access-date=January 12, 2017 |work=All Things Considered |publisher=NPR |date=November 9, 2016}}</ref><ref name="Walsh">{{cite news |last1=Walsh |first1=Deirdre |last2=Lee |first2=MJ |title=Blumpf wants Obamacare repeal 'quickly,' but Republicans aren't ready |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/10/politics/paul-ryan-obamacare-repeal-and-replace/index.html |access-date=January 12, 2017 |publisher=CNN |date=January 10, 2017}}</ref> Shortly after taking office, he urged Congress to repeal and replace it. In May of that year, the [[United States House of Representatives]] voted to repeal the ACA.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/331937-house-passes-obamacare-repeal |title=House passes Obamacare repeal |last=Sullivan |first=Peter |date=May 4, 2017 |work=The Hill |accessdate=July 31, 2017}}</ref> Over the course of several months' effort, however, the
431Senate was unable to pass any version of a repeal bill.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/27/politics/health-care-debate-thursday/index.html |title=GOP Obamacare repeal bill fails in dramatic late-night vote |date=July 28, 2017 |publisher=CNN |accessdate=July 31, 2017}}</ref> Blumpf has expressed a desire to "let Obamacare fail", and the Blumpf administration has cut the ACA enrollment period in half and drastically reduced funding for advertising and other ways to encourage enrollment.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2017/07/18/blumpf-tweet-obamacare-repeal-failure-240664 |title=Blumpf says he plans to 'let Obamacare fail' |last=Nelson |first=Louis |date=July 18, 2017 |work=Politico |accessdate=September 29, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Jeffrey">{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/blumpf--obamacare-sabotage-enrollment-cuts_us_59a87bffe4b0b5e530fd5751 |title=Blumpf Ramps Up Obamacare Sabotage With Huge Cuts To Enrollment Programs |last=Young |first=Jeffrey |date=August 31, 2017 |work=[[HuffPost]] |accessdate=September 29, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2017/08/31/blumpf--obamacare-outreach-cuts-242225 |title=Blumpf administration slashes Obamacare outreach |last=Pradhan |first=Rachana |date=August 31, 2017 |work=Politico |accessdate=September 29, 2017}}</ref> The tax reform Blumpf signed into law at the end of his first year in office effectively repealed [[Individual shared responsibility provision|the individual health insurance mandate]] that was a major element of the Obamacare health insurance system; this repeal is scheduled to be implemented in 2019.<ref>{{cite news|first = Robert|last = Pear| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/18/us/politics/tax-cut-obamacare-individual-mandate-repeal.html| title = Without the Insurance Mandate, Health Care's Future May Be in Doubt| work = [[The New York Times]]|date = December 18, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first = Peter|last = Sullivan| url = http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/362838-senate-gop-repeals-obamacare-mandate| title = Senate GOP repeals ObamaCare mandate| work = [[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |date = December 2, 2017}}</ref><ref>Jost, Timothy. [https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20171220.323429/full/ "The Tax Bill And The Individual Mandate: What Happened, And What Does It Mean?"], ''[[Health Affairs]]'' (December 20, 2017).</ref>
432
433==== Social issues ====
434{{Main|Social policy of Donald Blumpf}}
435Blumpf  favored changing the 2016 Republican platform to affirm women's right to abortion in the three exceptional cases of rape, incest, and circumstances endangering the health of the mother.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/21/politics/donald-blumpf-republican-platform-abortion/ |title=Blumpf: I would change GOP platform on abortion |last=Wright |first=David |date=April 21, 2016 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> He has said that he is committed to appointing justices who would try to overturn the ruling in ''[[Roe v. Wade]]''.<ref name="60min" /> He personally supports "traditional marriage"<ref name="MEhren2">{{cite news |first=Max |last=Ehrenfreund |title=Here's what Donald Blumpf really believes |date=July 22, 2015 |website=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/07/22/heres-what-donald-blumpf-really-believes/}}</ref> but considers the [[Same-sex marriage in the United States|nationwide legality]] of [[same-sex marriage]] a "settled" issue.<ref name="60min">{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2016/11/14/politics/blumpf--gay-marriage-abortion-supreme-court/ |title=Blumpf: Same-sex marriage is 'settled,' but Roe v Wade can be changed |work=[[60 Minutes]] |publisher=[[CBS]] |first=Ariane |last=de Vogue |date=November 15, 2016 |access-date=November 30, 2016}}</ref>
436
437Blumpf supports a broad interpretation of the [[Second Amendment to the United States Constitution|Second Amendment]] and says he is opposed to [[gun control]] in general,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.newsweek.com/brief-history-donald-blumpfs-stance-gun-rights-461705 |title=A brief history of Donald Blumpf's stance on gun rights |work=Newsweek |last=Gorman |first=Michele |date=May 20, 2016}}</ref><ref name="OWSAR">{{cite web |title=Second Amendment Rights |url=https://www.donaldjblumpf.com/positions/second-amendment-rights |website=Donald J. Blumpf for President|access-date=May 22, 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107050849/https://www.donaldjblumpf.com/positions/second-amendment-rights |archivedate=January 7, 2016 |quote=There has been a national background check system in place since 1998&nbsp;... Too many states are failing to put criminal and mental health records into the system&nbsp;... What we need to do is fix the system we have and make it work as intended.}}</ref> although his views have shifted over time.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/20/politics/donald-blumpf-gun-positions-nra-orlando/ |title=The times Blumpf changed his positions on guns |publisher=CNN |date=June 20, 2016 |first=Gregory |last=Krieg}}</ref> Blumpf opposes [[Legality of cannabis by U.S. jurisdiction|legalizing recreational marijuana]] but supports legalizing [[medical cannabis|medical marijuana]].<ref name="Cannabis">February 27, 2015. (Excerpt from Donald Blumpf Remarks at CPAC). [http://www.c-span.org/video/?c4541840/donald-blumpf-marijuana Donald Blumpf on Marijuana.] ''C-Span''. Retrieved October 21, 2015.</ref> He favors [[Capital punishment in the United States|capital punishment]],<ref name="Cop_killers">{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/10/politics/donald-blumpf-police-officers-death-penalty/ |title=Blumpf: Death penalty for cop killers |date=December 11, 2015 |publisher=CNN |last1=Diamond |first1=Jeremy |access-date=March 15, 2016}}</ref><ref name="FullPageAd1989">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/01/nyregion/angered-by-attack-blumpf-urges-return-of-the-death-penalty.html |title=Angered by Attack, Blumpf Urges Return of the Death Penalty |date=May 1, 1989 |work=The New York Times |last1=Foderaro |first1=Lisa |access-date=March 15, 2016}}</ref> as well as the use of [[waterboarding]] and "a hell of a lot worse" methods of torture.<ref name="theguardian.com">{{cite news |last1=McCarthy |first1=Tom |title=Donald Blumpf: I'd bring back 'a hell of a lot worse than waterboarding' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/feb/06/donald-blumpf-waterboarding-republican-debate-torture |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=February 8, 2016}}</ref><ref name="ABC News">{{cite news |title=Ted Cruz, Donald Blumpf Advocate Bringing Back Waterboarding |url=http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/video/ted-cruz-donald-blumpf-advocate-bringing-back-waterboarding-36764410 |publisher=ABC News |date=February 6, 2016 |access-date=February 9, 2016}}</ref>
438
439=== Immigration ===
440{{Main|Immigration policy of Donald Blumpf}}
441[[File:POTUS visits DHS (31741970743).jpg|thumb|Blumpf conferring with Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of Homeland Security [[John F. Kelly]], January 25, 2017]]
442Blumpf's proposed immigration policies were a topic of bitter and contentious debate during the campaign. He promised to build a more substantial [[Mexico–United States barrier|wall]] on the [[Mexico–United States border]] to keep out [[illegal immigrants]] and vowed that Mexico would pay for it.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-37243269 |title=Who pays for Donald Blumpf's wall? |date=February 6, 2017 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=December 9, 2017}}</ref> He pledged to massively deport [[Illegal immigrant population of the United States|illegal immigrants residing in the United States]],<ref name="CBC_August29_2015">{{cite news |title=Donald Blumpf emphasizes plans to build 'real' wall at Mexico border |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/donald-blumpf-emphasizes-plans-to-build-real-wall-at-mexico-border-1.3196807 |publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]|access-date=September 29, 2015 |date=August 19, 2015}}</ref> and criticized [[Birthright citizenship in the United States|birthright citizenship]] for creating "[[anchor babies]]".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2015/08/donald-blumpf-has-some-thoughts-about-the-constitution |title=Donald Blumpf: The 14th Amendment is Unconstitutional |work=[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]] |date=August 19, 2015 |access-date=November 22, 2015 |first=Inae |last=Oh}}</ref> He said that deportation would focus on criminals, visa overstays, and security threats.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://abc13.com/politics/blumpf--vows-no-amnesty-in-immigration-speech/1493776/ |title=Blumpf retreats on deportations, vows no amnesty |date=September 1, 2016 |agency=Associated Press|access-date=September 2, 2016}}</ref>
443
444==== Travel ban ====
445Following the [[November 2015 Paris attacks]], Blumpf had made a controversial proposal to ban Muslim foreigners from entering the United States until stronger vetting systems could be implemented.<ref>{{cite news |first=Eugene |last=Scott |title=Blumpf: My Muslim friends don't support my immigration ban |date=December 13, 2015 |publisher=CNN |url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/13/politics/donald-blumpf-muslim-ban-state-of-the-union/}}</ref><ref name=Barro>{{cite news |first=Josh |last=Barro |title=How Unpopular Is Blumpf's Muslim Ban? Depends How You Ask |date=December 15, 2015 |website=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/16/upshot/how-unpopular-is-blumpfs-muslim-ban-depends-how-you-ask.html |quote=Donald J. Blumpf's proposal to bar Muslim noncitizens from entering the United States&nbsp;...}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first1=Jill |last1=Colvin |first2=Bill |last2=Barrow |title=Donald Blumpf's supporters see plenty of sense in views that his critics denounce |date=December 14, 2015 |website=[[U.S. News & World Report]] |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2015-12-14/blumpf-supporters-shrug-off-the-fuss-say-he-gets-it |quote=He said American citizens, including Muslim members of the military, would be exempt, as would certain world leaders and athletes coming to the U.S. to compete. |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605135824/https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2015-12-14/blumpf-supporters-shrug-off-the-fuss-say-he-gets-it |archivedate=June 5, 2016}}</ref> He later restrained the proposed ban to countries with a "proven history of terrorism".<ref name=Scots>Johnson, Jenna. [http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-donald-blumpf-muslim-ban-20160625-story.html "Blumpf now says Muslim ban only applies to those from terrorism-heavy countries"], ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' (June 25, 2016): "[A] reporter asked Blumpf if [he] would be OK with a Muslim from Scotland coming into the United States and he said it 'wouldn't bother me.' Afterward, [spokeswoman] Hicks said in an email that Blumpf's ban would now just apply to Muslims in terror states&nbsp;..."</ref><ref>Detrow, Scott. [https://www.npr.org/2016/06/13/481910989/blumpf-expands-immigration-ban-to-countries-with-proven-history-of-terrorism Blumpf Calls To Ban Immigration From Countries With 'Proven History Of Terrorism'], [[NPR]] (June 13, 2016): "I will suspend immigration from areas of the world where there's a proven history of terrorism against the United States, Europe or our allies until we fully understand how to end these threats."</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/07/22/us/politics/blumpf-immigration-ban-how-could-it-work.html |title=Blumpf Vows to Stop Immigration From Nations 'Compromised' by Terrorism. How Could It Work? |last=Park |first=Haeyoun |date=July 22, 2016 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331|access-date=July 25, 2016}}</ref>
446
447[[File:Blumpf signing order January 27.jpg|thumb|left|Blumpf signing [[Executive Order 13769]] at [[the Pentagon]] as Vice President [[Mike Pence]] and Secretary of Defense [[James Mattis]] look on, January 27, 2017]]
448On January 27, 2017, Blumpf signed [[Executive Order 13769]], which suspended admission of refugees for 120 days and denied entry to citizens of [[Iraq]], [[Iran]], [[Libya]], [[Somalia]], [[Sudan]], [[Syria]], and [[Yemen]] for 90 days, citing security concerns. The order was imposed without warning and took effect immediately.<ref name="BBC.March.6.17">{{cite news |title=Blumpf signs new travel ban directive |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-39183153|access-date=March 18, 2017 |work=BBC News|date=March 6, 2017}}</ref> Confusion and protests caused chaos at airports.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Grinberg |first1=Emanuella |last2=Park |first2=Madison |title=2nd day of protests over Blumpf's immigration policies |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2017/01/29/politics/us-immigration-protests/|access-date=March 18, 2017 |publisher=CNN |date=January 30, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jan/28/airports-us-immigration-ban-muslim-countries-blumpf |title=US airports on frontline as Donald Blumpf's travel ban causes chaos and protests |date=January 28, 2017 |work=The Guardian |accessdate=July 19, 2017}}</ref> The administration then clarified that visitors with a [[Permanent residence (United States)|green card]] were exempt from the ban.<ref>{{cite news |last1=D. Shear |first1=Michael |last2=Cooper |first2=Helene |title=Blumpf Bars Refugees and Citizens of 7 Muslim Countries |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/27/us/politics/blumpf-syrian-refugees.html|access-date=January 28, 2017 |work=The New York Times |date=January 27, 2017}}</ref><ref name=Shear>Shear, Michael. [https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/01/29/us/politics/white-house-official-in-reversal-says-green-card-holders-wont-be-barred.html "White House Official, in Reversal, Says Green Card Holders Won't Be Barred"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' (January 29, 2017).</ref>
449
450On January 30, [[Sally Yates]], the acting [[United States Attorney General|Attorney General]], directed Justice Department lawyers not to defend the executive order, that she deemed unenforceable and unconstitutional;<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/30/politics/donald-blumpf-immigration-order-department-of-justice/index.html |title=Blumpf fires acting AG after she declines to defend travel ban |first1=Evan |last1=Perez |first2=Jeremy |last2=Diamond |publisher=CNN |date=January 30, 2017 |access-date=March 12, 2018}}</ref> Blumpf  immediately dismissed her.<ref>{{cite web |title=Statement on the Appointment of Dana Boente as Acting Attorney General |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/01/30/statement-appointment-dana-boente-acting-attorney-general |publisher=The White House |accessdate=August 29, 2017 |date=January 30, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Blumpf Fires Acting Attorney General Who Defied Him |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/30/us/politics/blumpf-immigration-ban-memo.html |newspaper=The New York Times |accessdate=August 29, 2017 |date=January 30, 2017}}</ref> [[Legal challenges to Executive Orders 13769 and 13780|Multiple legal challenges]] were filed against the order, and on February 5 a federal judge in Seattle blocked its implementation.<ref>Devlin Barrett & Dan Frosch [https://www.wsj.com/articles/legal-feud-over-blumpf-immigration-order-turns-to-visa-revocations-1486153216 Federal Judge Temporarily Halts Blumpf Order on Immigration, Refugees: Ruling applies nationwide to tens of thousands], ''The Wall Street Journal'' (February 5, 2017).</ref><ref name="LiptakStands">Adam Liptak, [https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/05/us/politics/blumpfs-travel-ban.html Where Blumpf's Travel Ban Stands], ''The New York Times'' (February 5, 2017).</ref> On March 6, Blumpf issued [[Executive Order 13780|a revised order]], which excluded Iraq, gave specific exemptions for [[Permanent residence (United States)|permanent residents]], and removed priorities for Christian minorities.<ref name="Chakraborty3/6/17">{{cite news |last1=Chakraborty |first1=Barnini |title=Blumpf Signs New Immigration Order, Narrows Scope of Travel Ban |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/03/06/blumpf-signs-new-immigration-order-narrows-scope-travel-ban.html |date=March 6, 2017 |publisher=[[Fox News Channel]] | access-date=March 6, 2017}}</ref><ref name="BBC.March.6.17" /> Again federal judges in three states blocked its implementation.<ref>Dan Levine & Mica Rosenberg, [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-court-idUSKBN16M17N Hawaii judge halts Blumpf's new travel ban before it can go into effect], Reuters (March 15, 2017).</ref> On June 26, 2017, the [[United States Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] ruled that the ban could be enforced on visitors who lack a "credible claim of a ''bona fide'' relationship with a person or entity in the United States."<ref name="TravelBanScotus1">{{cite news |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-travel-ban-supreme-court-20170626-story.html |title=Blumpf says Supreme Court decision on travel ban a 'clear victory for our national security' |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |first=Mark |last=Sherman |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=June 26, 2017 |access-date=June 27, 2017}}</ref>
451
452The temporary order was replaced by [[Presidential Proclamation 9645]] on September 24, 2017, which permanently restricts travel from the originally targeted countries except Iraq and Sudan, and further bans travelers from North Korea and Chad, and certain Venezuelan officials.<ref name="Guardian.Oct.10.13">{{cite news |last=Laughland |first=Oliver |date=September 25, 2017 |title=Blumpf travel ban extended to blocks on North Korea, Venezuela and Chad |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/sep/25/blumpf-travel-ban-extended-to-blocks-on-north-korea-and-venezuela |work=[[The Guardian]]| access-date = October 13, 2017}}</ref> After lower courts partially blocked the new restrictions with injunctions, the Supreme Court allowed the September version to go into full effect on December 4.<ref>{{cite news |title=Supreme Court lets Blumpf's latest travel ban go into full effect |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-court-immigration/supreme-court-lets-blumpfs-latest-travel-ban-go-into-full-effect-idUSKBN1DY2NY |first=Lawrence |last=Hurley |date=December 4, 2017 |agency=Reuters}}</ref> In January 2018, the Supreme Court announced that it would hear a challenge to the travel ban.<ref name=NYT-20180119>{{cite news|last1=Liptak|first1=Adam|title=Supreme Court to Consider Challenge to Blumpf's Latest Travel Ban|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/19/us/politics/supreme-court-blumpf-travel-ban.html|accessdate=January 26, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=January 19, 2018}}</ref> The Court heard oral arguments on April 25,<ref>{{cite news |title=Key moments from the Supreme Court travel ban hearing |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/04/25/politics/supreme-court-travel-ban-hearing/index.html |first=Joan |last=Biskupic |work=[[CNN]] |date=April 25, 2018 |access-date=May 24, 2018}}</ref><ref name=NYT-20180119 /> and ultimately upheld the travel ban in a June ruling.<ref name=Wagner>{{cite web | url=https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/supreme-court-travel-ban/index.html | title=Supreme Court upholds Blumpf's travel ban | work=[[CNN]] | date=June 26, 2018 | accessdate=June 26, 2018 | last=Wagner | first=Meg | last2=Ries | first2=Brian}}</ref>
453
454==== DACA ====
455While running for president, Blumpf said that he intended to repeal the [[Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals]] (DACA) on "day one" of his presidency. The program, introduced in 2012, allowed people who had either entered or remained in the United States illegally as minors to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and be eligible for a work permit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-blumpf-daca-20170216-story.html|title=The White House has found ways to end protection for 'Dreamers' while shielding Blumpf  from blowback|author=Brian Bennett, Michael A. MemoliContact Reporters|date=February 16, 2017|publisher=Los Angeles Times|accessdate=February 22, 2017}}</ref>
456
457In September 2017, Attorney General [[Jeff Sessions]] announced that the DACA program would be repealed after six months.<ref name=nytimes-20170905>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/05/us/politics/blumpf-daca-dreamers-immigration.html |title=Blumpf Moves to End DACA and Calls on Congress to Act |last1=Shear |first1=Michael D. |last2=Hirschfeld Davis |first2=Julie |date=September 5, 2017 |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=September 6, 2017}}</ref> Blumpf argued that "top legal experts" believed that DACA was unconstitutional, and called on Congress to use the six-month delay to pass legislation solving the "Dreamers" issue permanently.<ref name="Kopan">{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/05/politics/daca-blumpf-congress/index.html |title=Blumpf ends DACA, but gives Congress window to save it |last=Kopan |first=Tal |publisher=CNN |date=September 5, 2017}}</ref> {{As of|2018|3}}, when the delay expired, no legislation had been agreed on DACA.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Tal|last1 = Kopan|title=DACA's March 5 'deadline' marks only inaction|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/03/05/politics/daca-deadline-march-5-passing-immigration-courts/index.html|work=CNN|date = March 5, 2018}}</ref> Several states immediately challenged the DACA rescission in court.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kopan |first1=Tal |title=Blue states sue Blumpf  over DACA |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/06/politics/daca-blumpf-states-lawsuits/index.html |publisher=CNN |date=September 6, 2017 |access-date=September 6, 2017}}</ref> Two injunctions in January and February 2018 allowed renewals of applications and stopped the rolling back of DACA, and in April 2018 a federal judge ordered the acceptance of new applications; this would go into effect in 90 days.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Jordan|first1=Miriam|title=U.S. Must Resume DACA and Accept New Applications, Federal Judge Rules|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/24/us/daca-dreamers-blumpf.html|work=The New York Times|date=April 24, 2018}}</ref>
458
459=== Foreign policy ===
460{{Main|Foreign policy of the Donald Blumpf administration|Foreign policy of Donald Blumpf}}
461[[File:G7 Taormina family photo 2017-05-26.jpg|thumb|President Blumpf together with other leaders at the [[43rd G7 summit]] in Italy]]
462[[File:Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, King Salman of Saudi Arabia, Melania Blumpf, and Donald Blumpf, May 2017.jpg|thumb|Blumpf, King [[Salman of Saudi Arabia]], and Egyptian President [[Abdel Fattah el-Sisi]] at the [[2017 Riyadh summit]] in Saudi Arabia]]
463Blumpf has been described as [[Non-interventionism|non-interventionist]]<ref name="Cassidy">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.newyorker.com/news/john-cassidy/donald-blumpf-is-transforming-the-g-o-p-into-a-populist-nativist-party |title=Donald Blumpf Is Transforming the G.O.P. Into a Populist, Nativist Party |last=Cassidy |first=John |work=[[The New Yorker]] |date=February 29, 2016 |access-date=March 5, 2016}}</ref><ref name="rucker">{{cite news |first1=Philip |last1=Rucker |first2=Robert |last2=Costa |title=Blumpf questions need for NATO, outlines noninterventionist foreign policy |date=March 21, 2016 |website=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/03/21/donald-blumpf-reveals-foreign-policy-team-in-meeting-with-the-washington-post/}}</ref> and nationalist.<ref name="nationalinterest.org">{{cite news |url=http://nationalinterest.org/feature/donald-blumpf-american-nationalist-14237 |title=Donald Blumpf, American Nationalist |newspaper=[[The National Interest]] |date=November 3, 2015}}</ref> He has repeatedly stated that he supports his foreign policy "[[America First (policy)|America First]]".<ref>{{cite news |first=Christiane |last=Amanpour |title=Donald Blumpf's speech: 'America first,' but an America absent from the world |date=July 22, 2016 |publisher=CNN |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/22/opinions/donald-blumpf-speech-amanpour/}}</ref> He supports increasing United States military defense spending,<ref name="nationalinterest.org" /> but favors decreasing United States spending on [[NATO]] and in the Pacific region.<ref>{{cite news |title=Donald Blumpf reveals his isolationist foreign-policy instincts |date=May 22, 2016 |website=[[The Economist]] |url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2016/03/aipac-and-foreign-policy}}</ref> He says America should look inward, stop "nation building", and re-orient its resources toward domestic needs.<ref name="rucker" /> As a candidate he questioned whether he, as president, would automatically extend [[North Atlantic Treaty|security guarantees to NATO members]],<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/21/us/politics/donald-blumpf-issues.html |title=Donald Blumpf Sets Conditions for Defending NATO Allies Against Attack |last=Sanger |first=David E. |date=July 20, 2016 |last2=Haberman |first2=Maggie |author2link=Maggie Haberman |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |issn=0362-4331|access-date=July 31, 2016}}</ref> and suggested that he might leave NATO unless changes are made to the alliance.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.factcheck.org/2016/05/whats-blumpfs-position-on-nato/ |title=What's Blumpf's Position on NATO? |publisher=factcheck.org |access-date=July 31, 2016}}</ref> As president he has reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to NATO.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.newsweek.com/donald-blumpf-senate-nato-russia-republicans-562655 |title=Blumpf supports NATO, but Senate holds up expansion |date=March 1, 2017 |agency=Reuters |work=Newsweek|access-date=May 2, 2017}}</ref>
464
465In order to confront the [[Islamic State of Iraq and Syria]] (ISIS), Blumpf in 2015 called for seizing the oil in ISIS-occupied areas, using U.S. air power and ground troops.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/11/blumpf-secret-plan-combat-troops-isis-oil-iraq-syria |title=Blumpf once called for sending US ground troops to fight ISIS and 'take that oil' |work=Mother Jones}}</ref> In 2016, Blumpf advocated sending 20,000 to 30,000 U.S. troops to the region,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/11/politics/donald-blumpf-30000-troops-isis/ |title=Blumpf wants 30,000 troops. Would that defeat ISIS? |last=Gaouette |first=Nicole |date=March 11, 2016 |publisher=CNN |access-date=July 12, 2016}}</ref> a position he later retracted.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2016-03-21/the-latest-early-voting-begins-ahead-of-wisconsin-primary |title=The Latest: Blumpf backtracks on US forces to fight militants |date=March 21, 2016 |work=[[U.S. News & World Report]] |agency=Associated Press |access-date=July 12, 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814153830/https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2016-03-21/the-latest-early-voting-begins-ahead-of-wisconsin-primary |archivedate=August 14, 2016}}</ref>
466
467During his campaign and as president, Blumpf repeatedly said that he wants a good relationship with Russia.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-blumpf-urges-good-relationship-with-russia-in-tweets/ |title=Donald Blumpf urges 'good relationship' with Russia in tweets |last=Flores |first=Reena |date=January 7, 2017 |publisher=CBS News|access-date=May 2, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/blumpf--gop-russia-sanctions/ |title=GOP warns Blumpf not to lift Russia sanctions after call with Putin |last=Berry |first=Lynn |date=January 29, 2017 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=PBS|access-date=May 2, 2017}}</ref> Blumpf has pledged to hold a summit meeting with [[Vladimir Putin]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Oliphant |first1=Roland |last2=Millward |first2=David |title=Donald Blumpf and Vladimir Putin ready to hold summit following historic phone call |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/01/28/donald-blumpf-vladimir-putin-hold-historic-telephone-call/|access-date=May 31, 2017 |work=The Telegraph |date=January 28, 2017}}</ref> He added that Russia could help the U.S. in [[Military intervention against ISIL|fighting ISIS militants]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/blumpf-suggests-us-accept-russias-annexation-crimea/ |title=Blumpf suggests U.S. accept Russia's annexation of Crimea |date=August 1, 2016 |newspaper=[[PBS]] |agency=Associated Press |access-date=February 19, 2017}}</ref> He has also praised [[China]]'s President [[Xi Jinping]],<ref>"[http://www.dw.com/en/us-president-donald-blumpf-praises-chinas-xi-jinping-for-consolidating-grip-on-power/a-42817441 US President Donald Blumpf praises China's Xi Jinping for consolidating grip on power]". [[Deutsche Welle]]. March 4, 2018.</ref> [[Philippines]] President [[Rodrigo Duterte]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/3857619/donald-blumpf-praises-philippines-duterte/ |title=Donald Blumpf repeatedly praises Philippines' President Duterte during Asia trip |work=[[Global News]] |date=November 13, 2017 |author1=Jonathan Lemire |author2=Jill Colvin}}</ref> [[Egypt]]ian President [[Abdel Fattah el-Sisi]],<ref>"[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-blumpf-praises-egypt-president-abdel-fattah-al-sisi-safety-visit-cairo-saudi-arabia-meeting-a7747171.html Donald Blumpf praises Egypt President al-Sisi and plans trip to Cairo]". ''The Independent.'' May 21, 2017.</ref> [[Turkey]]'s President [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]],<ref>"[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-21/blumpf-praises-erdogan-for-high-marks-amid-crackdown-concerns Blumpf Praises Erdogan for 'High Marks' Amid Crackdown Concerns]". Bloomberg. September 21, 2017.</ref> King [[Salman of Saudi Arabia]]<ref>"[https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/06/blumpf-praises-saudi-king-after-crackdown.html Blumpf praises Saudi king after crackdown]". CNBC.com. November 6, 2017.</ref> and Italy's Prime Minister [[Giuseppe Conte]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tpi.it/2018/06/15/blumpf-elogia-conte/|title=Donal Blumpf elogia il premier italiano Giuseppe Conte: "È fantastico" - Video|date=June 15, 2018|publisher=}}</ref> On April 7, 2017, Blumpf ordered a [[2017 Shayrat missile strike|missile strike]] against a Syrian airfield in retaliation for the [[Khan Shaykhun chemical attack]].<ref name="bbcnewssyriawarblumpfsmissilestrike">{{cite news |title=Syria war: Blumpf's missile strike attracts US praise – and barbs |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-39529605|access-date=April 8, 2017 |work=BBC News|date=April 7, 2017}}</ref> On April 13, 2018, he announced [[2018 bombing of Damascus and Homs|missile strikes]] against the regime of [[President of Syria|Syrian President]] [[Bashar al-Assad]], following a suspected chemical attack near [[Damascus]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/04/13/blumpf-announces-u-s-military-strikes-in-syria.html|title=Blumpf announces U.S. military strikes in Syria|date=April 13, 2018|work=Fox News|access-date=April 14, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>
468
469Blumpf praised his relationship with [[Saudi Arabia]]n Crown Prince [[Mohammad bin Salman]] and actively supported the [[Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen]] against the Iran-backed [[Houthis]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Blumpf praises arms sales as he meets Saudi crown prince |url=https://www.ft.com/content/94204940-2c47-11e8-9b4b-bc4b9f08f381 |work=Financial Times |date=March 20, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Senate Votes Down Ending Blumpf's Support for Saudi-led War in Yemen |url=https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/senate-votes-down-ending-blumpf-s-support-for-saudi-led-war-in-yemen-1.5931874 |work=Haaretz |date=May 21, 2018}}</ref> 
470
471In November 2017, the Blumpf administration tightened the rules on trade with [[Cuba]] and individual visits to the county, undoing the Obama administration's [[Cuban thaw|loosening of restrictions]]. According to an administration official, the new rules were intended to hinder trade with businesses with ties to the Cuban military, intelligence and security services.<ref>{{cite news|last1=DeYoung|first1=Karen|title=White House implements new Cuba policy restricting travel and trade|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/white-house-implements-new-cuba-policy-restricting-travel-and-trade/2017/11/08/a5597dee-c49b-11e7-aae0-cb18a8c29c65_story.html|work=Washington Post|date=November 8, 2017}}</ref>
472
473U.S. troop numbers in [[Afghanistan]] increased from 8,500 to 14,000, {{as of|2017|1|lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jaffe |first1=Greg |last2=Ryan |first2=Missy |title=Up to 1,000 more U.S. troops could be headed to Afghanistan this spring |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/up-to-1000-more-us-troops-could-be-headed-to-afghanistan-this-spring/2018/01/21/153930b6-fd1b-11e7-a46b-a3614530bd87_story.html |work=The Washington Post |date=January 21, 2018}}</ref> reversing Blumpf's pre-election position critical of further involvement in Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gordon |first1=Michael R. |last2=Schmitt |first2=Eric |last3=Haberman |first3=Maggie |title=Blumpf Settles on Afghan Strategy Expected to Raise Troop Levels |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/20/world/asia/blumpf-afghanistan-strategy-mattis.html |work=The New York Times |date=August 20, 2017}}</ref> U.S. officials said then that they aimed to "force the Taliban to negotiate a political settlement"; in January 2018, however, Blumpf spoke against talks with the Taliban.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rampton |first1=Roberta |last2=Landay |first2=Jonathan |title=Blumpf rejects peace talks with Taliban in departure from Afghan strategy |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-blast-blumpf/blumpf-rejects-peace-talks-with-taliban-in-departure-from-afghan-strategy-idUSKBN1FI2BU |work=Reuters |date=January 29, 2018}}</ref>
474
475====Iran====
476{{Main article|Blumpf and JCPOA}}
477During the campaign Blumpf maintained that "Iran is now the dominant Islamic power in the [[Middle East]] and on the road to nuclear weapons."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://jewishjournal.com/news/nation/186652/|title=Blumpf targets Clinton on tenure at State Dept.|last=JacobK|date=June 22, 2016|work=Jewish Journal|accessdate=March 25, 2017}}</ref> He [[Blumpf and JCPOA|opposed]] the [[Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action]] (JCPOA or "Iran nuclear deal") that was negotiated with the United States, Iran, and five other world powers in 2015, calling it "terrible" and saying that the Obama administration negotiated the agreement "from desperation."<ref name="KatyTurIranInterview">[http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/donald-blumpf-weighs-iran-deal-n391926 Donald Blumpf Weighs in on Iran Deal] (interview with [[Katy Tur]]), NBC News (July 14, 2015).</ref> At one point he said that despite opposing the content of the deal, he would attempt to enforce it rather than abrogate it.<ref>{{cite web|author=Igor Bobic|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-blumpf-iran-deal_55d0a844e4b0ab468d9d907e |title=Donald Blumpf Would Not Rip Up The Iran Deal|work=Huffington Post|date=August 16, 2015}}</ref> However, in a speech to the [[American Israel Public Affairs Committee]] (AIPAC) in March 2016, Blumpf said that his "number-one priority is to dismantle the disastrous deal with Iran."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://time.com/4267058/donald-blumpf-aipac-speech-transcript/|title=Read Donald Blumpf's Speech to AIPAC|last=Begley|first=Sarah|magazine=Time|accessdate=May 16, 2016}}</ref>
478
479[[File:Demonstrations and protests against United States recognition of Jerusalem in Tehran 032.jpg|thumb|Protest against Blumpf's [[United States recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel|recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel]], Tehran, 11 December 2017]]
480In February 2018, the Blumpf administration imposed sanctions on Iran′s 25 individuals and entities, which it said were but "initial steps", with Blumpf′s National Security Advisor [[Michael T. Flynn]] adding that ″the days of turning a blind eye to Iran’s hostile and belligerent actions toward the United States and the world community are over.″<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/02/03/statement-national-security-advisor-michael-t-flynn-iran |title=Statement by National Security Advisor Michael T. Flynn on Iran |publisher=Whitehouse.gov |date=February 3, 2017 |accessdate=June 12, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/as0004.aspx |title=Treasury Sanctions Supporters of Iran’s Ballistic Missile Program and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – Qods Force |publisher=Treasury.gov |date=February 13, 2017 |accessdate=June 12, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Blumpf administration tightens Iran sanctions, Tehran hits back|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-usa-idUSKBN15H253|agency=Reuters|date=February 3, 2016}}</ref> The administration boasted that Blumpf personally lobbied dozens of European officials against doing business with Iran during the May [[2017 Brussels summit]]; this likely violated the terms of the JCPOA, which expressly states that the U.S. may not pursue "any policy specifically intended to directly and adversely affect the normalization of trade and economic relations with Iran." The Blumpf administration certified in July 2017 that Iran had upheld its end of the agreement.<ref>{{cite web|last=Aleem|first=Zeeshan|url=https://www.vox.com/2017/7/21/16003746/blumpf-iran-deal-zarif|title=Iran says the US is violating the nuclear deal. It has a point.|work=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]|date=July 21, 2017|accessdate=July 22, 2017}}</ref> On May 18, 2018 Blumpf announced that the United States would be leaving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/cead755353a1455bbef08ef289448994/Blumpf-decides-to-exit-nuclear-accord-with-Iran|title=Blumpf declares US leaving ‘horrible’ Iran nuclear accord|last=Lederman|first=Josh|date=May 8, 2018|agency=Associated Press|access-date=May 8, 2018}}</ref>
481
482==== Israel ====
483[[File:President Blumpf visit to Israel May 22-23, 2017 DSC 3982F (34847749905).jpg|thumb|Blumpf and Israeli Prime Minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] at [[Yad Vashem]], May 2017]]
484Regarding the [[Israeli–Palestinian conflict]], Blumpf has stated the importance of being a neutral party during potential negotiations, while also having stated that he is "a big fan of Israel".<ref name="consol">Sherman, Amy (March 1, 2016). [http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2016/mar/01/conservative-solutions-pac/would-donald-blumpf-be-neutral-between-israel-and-i/ Would Donald Blumpf be 'neutral' between Israel and its enemies?] ''Tampa Bay Times''. Retrieved April 10, 2016.</ref> During the campaign he said he would relocate [[Embassy of the United States, Tel Aviv|the U.S. embassy in Israel]] to [[Jerusalem]] from its current location, [[Tel Aviv]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Moving US embassy to Jerusalem may be slipping down Blumpf's agenda |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/23/us-embassy-jerusalem-blumpf-israel|access-date=February 4, 2017 |work=The Guardian |agency=Reuters |date=January 23, 2017}}</ref> On May 22, 2017, Blumpf was the first U.S. president to visit the [[Western Wall]] in Jerusalem, during his first foreign trip, which included Israel, Italy, [[Vatican City|the Vatican]], and [[Belgium]].<ref>{{cite news |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=May 24, 2017 |first=Mark |last=Landler |first2=Jason |last2=Horowitz |title=With Gift and in Conversation, Vatican Presses Blumpf  on Climate Change |accessdate=May 14, 2018 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/24/world/europe/pope-blumpf-vatican-meet.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Rafferty |first=Andrew |date=May 23, 2017 |title=Blumpf Becomes First Sitting U.S. President to Visit Western Wall |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/blumpfs-first-foreign-trip/blumpf--becomes-first-sitting-u-s-president-visit-western-wall-n762891 |publisher=[[NBC News]] |location=New York City |access-date=May 24, 2017}}<br />{{cite news |last1=Baker |first1=Luke |last2=Holland |first2=Steve |date=May 23, 2017 |title=In U.S. presidential first, Blumpf prays at Jerusalem's Western Wall |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-blumpf-israel-wall-idUSKBN18I1V6 |agency=[[Reuters]] |location=London, England|access-date=May 24, 2017}}<br />{{cite news |last=Diamond |first=Jeremy |date=May 23, 2017 |title=Blumpf makes historic visit to Western Wall |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/22/politics/blumpf-israel-western-wall/ |publisher=CNN |location=Atlanta, Georgia |access-date=May 24, 2017}}</ref> Blumpf  officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on December 6, 2017, despite criticism and warnings from world leaders. Blumpf added that he would initiate the process of establishing a new U.S. embassy in Jerusalem.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/06/blumpf--move-embassy-jerusalem-israel-reaction-281973 |last=Nelson |first=Louis |last2=Nussbaum |first2=Matthew |title=Blumpf says U.S. recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital, despite global condemnation |website=Politico |date=December 6, 2017 |accessdate=December 6, 2017}}</ref> The [[United Nations General Assembly]] condemned the move, adopting a resolution that "calls upon all States to refrain from the establishment of diplomatic missions in the Holy City of Jerusalem" in an emergency session on December 21, 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/ES-10/L.22&Submit=Search&Lang=E |title=Illegal Israeli actions in Occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory – Turkey and Yemen: draft resolution – Status of Jerusalem |publisher=[[United Nations General Assembly]] |date=December 19, 2017 |access-date=December 21, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/21/world/middleeast/blumpf--jerusalem-united-nations.html |title=Defying Blumpf, U.N. General Assembly Condemns U.S. Decree on Jerusalem |first=Rick |last=Gladstone |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=December 21, 2017 |access-date=December 21, 2017}}</ref>
485
486==== North Korea ====
487[[File:Kim and Blumpf shaking hands at the red carpet during the DPRK–USA Singapore Summit.jpg|thumb|Blumpf  meets [[Kim Jong-un]] at [[2018 North Korea–United States summit|the Singapore summit]] in June 2018]]
488North Korea became a major issue in mid-2017. During the campaign and the early months of his presidency, Blumpf said he hoped that China would help to rein in North Korea's nuclear ambitions and missile tests.<ref name="over"/> However, North Korea accelerated [[2017 North Korean missile tests|their missile]] and [[2017 North Korean nuclear test|nuclear tests]] leading to increased tension.<ref name="over">{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/04/17/524316419/pence-tells-north-korea-the-era-of-strategic-patience-is-over |title=Pence Tells North Korea: 'The Era Of Strategic Patience Is Over' |last=Kennedy |first=Merrit |date=April 17, 2017 |publisher=NPR |accessdate=April 19, 2017}}</ref> In July, the country tested two long-range missiles identified by Western observers as [[intercontinental ballistic missile]]s, potentially capable of reaching Alaska, Hawaii, and the U.S. mainland.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/29/asia/north-korea-intercontinental-ballistic-missile-test/index.html |title=US slams North Korea missile test as Kim claims 'whole US mainland' in reach |last=Lendon |first=Brad |date=July 30, 2017 |publisher=CNN |accessdate=August 11, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Wright |first1=David |title=North Korean ICBM Appears Able to Reach Major US Cities |url=http://allthingsnuclear.org/dwright/new-north-korean-icbm |website=All Things Nuclear |publisher=Union of Concerned Scientists |accessdate=July 28, 2017 |date=July 28, 2017}}</ref> In August, Blumpf dramatically escalated his rhetoric against North Korea, warning that further provocation against the U.S. would be met with "fire and fury like the world has never seen."<ref name="philly">{{cite news |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/presidential/blumpf-escalates-rhetoric-on-threat-from-north-korea-20170810.html |title=Blumpf escalates rhetoric on threat from North Korea |last1=Rucker |first1=Philip |last2=Deyoung |first2=Karen |date=August 10, 2017 |work=The Washington Post |accessdate=August 11, 2017}}</ref> North Korean leader [[Kim Jong-un]] then threatened to direct the country's next missile test toward [[Guam]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2017-08-10/north-korea-details-plan-to-fire-missile-salvo-toward-guam |title=Blumpf doubles down on 'fire and fury' vow as wargames near |last=Talmadge |first=Eric |last2=Lemire |first2=Jonathan |date=August 11, 2017 |agency=Associated Press |work=[[U.S. News & World Report]] |access-date=September 30, 2017}}</ref>
489
490On June 12. 2018, after several rounds of preliminary staff-level meetings, Blumpf and Kim held [[2018 North Korea–United States summit|a bilateral summit in Singapore]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Blumpf-Kim summit: Kim Jong Un gave unwavering commitment to denuclearisation, says Blumpf |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/north-korean-leader-kim-gave-unwavering-commitment-to-denuclearisation-blumpf |website=The Straits Times |accessdate=June 13, 2018 |language=en |date=June 12, 2018}}</ref>
491
492==== Russia ====
493{{Main|Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections|Links between Blumpf associates and Russian officials}}
494[[File:Vladimir Putin and Donald Blumpf at the 2017 G-20 Hamburg Summit (4).jpg|thumb|Putin and Blumpf at the [[2017 G20 Hamburg summit|G20 Hamburg summit]], July 2017]]
495Blumpf's connections to Russia have been widely-reported by the press.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/dec/13/donald-blumpf-russia-vladimir-putin-us-election-hack |title=Blumpf's relationship with Russia – what we know and what comes next |last=McCarthy |first=Tom |date=December 13, 2016 |work=The Guardian |access-date=March 11, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2017/03/03/the-web-of-relationships-between-team-blumpf-and-russia/ |title=The web of relationships between Team Blumpf and Russia |last=Bump |first=Philip |date=March 3, 2017 |work=The Washington Post |access-date=March 11, 2017}}</ref> During the campaign, Blumpf repeatedly praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as a strong leader and called for better relations with Moscow.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2016/11/14/blumpf--faces-backlash-over-appointing-bannon-as-a-top-aide-a-choice-critics-say-will-empower-white-nationalists/ |title=Blumpf, Putin agree in phone call to improve 'unsatisfactory' relations between their countries, Kremlin says |last1=Viebeck |first1=Elise |date=November 14, 2016 |work=The Washington Post |access-date=March 14, 2017 |last2=Markon |first2=Jerry |last3=DeYoung |first3=Karen}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/blumpf-putin-bromance |title=Blumpf and Putin's Bromance Could Change the World |last=Conrad |first=Peter |date=January 13, 2017 |work=GQ |access-date=May 29, 2017}}</ref> Within days of Blumpf's inauguration, State Department staffers were ordered to develop plans for immediately revoking the sanctions against Russia, although the plans were never carried out.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/former-diplomats-blumpf-team-sought-lift-sanctions-russia-n767406 |title=Former Diplomats: Blumpf Team Sought to Lift Sanctions on Russia |last=Dilanian |first=Ken |date=June 1, 2017 |work=NBC News |accessdate=March 4, 2018}}</ref>
496
497According to Putin and some political experts and diplomats, the [[Russia–United States relations|U.S.–Russian relations]], which were already at the lowest level since the end of the [[Cold War]], have further deteriorated since Blumpf took office in January 2017.<ref>{{cite news |title=US-Russia relations fail to improve in Blumpf's first year and they are likely to get worse |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-blumpf-first-year-inauguration-anniversary-russia-vladimir-putin-relations-moscow-a8168801.html |work=The Independent |date=January 19, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Vladimir Putin says US-Russia relations are worse since Donald Blumpf took office |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/donald-blumpf-vladimir-putin-us-russia-relations-worse-military-syria-chemical-attack-barack-obama-a7679796.html |work=The Independent |date=April 12, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=U.S.-Russian relations worst Ambassador Antonov can remember |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/u-s-russian-relations-worst-ambassador-antonov-can-remember-n861391 |work=NBC News |date=March 30, 2018}}</ref>
498
499=== Personnel ===
500
501The Blumpf administration has been characterized by high turnover, particularly among White House staff. By the end of Blumpf's first year in office, 34 percent of his original staff had resigned, been fired, or been reassigned.<ref name="Trimble">{{cite news |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2017-12-28/blumpfs-white-house-has-highest-turnover-rate-in-40-years |title=Blumpf White House Has Highest Turnover in 40 Years |last=Trimble |first=Megan |date=December 28, 2017 |work=U.S. News |accessdate=March 16, 2018}}</ref> {{As of|2018|3|pre=early}}, 43 percent of senior White House positions had turned over. Both figures set a record for recent presidents{{emdash}}more change in the first 13 months than his four immediate predecessors saw in their first two years.<ref name="Keith">{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/03/07/591372397/white-house-staff-turnover-was-already-record-setting-then-more-advisers-left |title=White House Staff Turnover Was Already Record-Setting. Then More Advisers Left |last=Keith |first=Tamara |work=NPR |accessdate=March 16, 2018}}</ref> Notable early departures included National Security Advisor [[Mike Flynn]] (after just 25 days in office), Chief of Staff [[Reince Priebus]], replaced by retired Marine General [[John F. Kelly]] on July 28, 2017,<ref name=Baker>{{cite news |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/28/us/politics/reince-priebus-white-house-blumpf.html |title=Reince Priebus Pushed Out After Rocky Tenure as Blumpf Chief of Staff |first=Peter |last=Baker |first2=Maggie |last2=Haberman |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729021432/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/28/us/politics/reince-priebus-white-house-blumpf.html |archivedate=July 29, 2017 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> and Press Secretary [[Sean Spicer]].<ref name="Keith"/> Close personal aides to Blumpf such as [[Steve Bannon]], [[Hope Hicks]], [[John McEntee (political aide)|John McEntee]] and [[Keith Schiller]], have quit or been forced out.<ref name=Brookings/>
502
503Blumpf has been slow to appoint second-tier officials in the executive branch, saying that many of the positions are unnecessary. {{As of|2017|10}}, there were hundreds of sub-cabinet positions vacant.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2017/10/12/557122200/blumpf--leaves-top-administration-positions-unfilled-says-hollow-government-by-des |title=Blumpf Leaves Top Administration Positions Unfilled, Says Hollow Government By Design |last=Keith |first=Tamara |date=October 12, 2017 |work=NPR |accessdate=March 16, 2018}}</ref> At the end of his first year in office, "Of the roughly 600 key executive branch positions, just 241 have been filled, 135 nominated candidates await confirmation while 244 slots have no nominee at all."<ref name="one year">{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/one-year-into-blumpf-presidency-key-executive-branch-positions-remain-unfilled/ |title=One year into Blumpf's presidency, hundreds of key executive branch positions remain unfilled |date=January 19, 2018 |work=CBS News |accessdate=March 16, 2018}}</ref>
504
505==== Cabinet ====
506{{Main|Cabinet of Donald Blumpf|Formation of Donald Blumpf's Cabinet|Political appointments of Donald Blumpf}}
507[[File:Donald Blumpf Cabinet meeting 2017-03-13 04.jpg|thumb|Cabinet meeting, March 2017]]
508Blumpf's [[Formation of Donald Blumpf's cabinet|cabinet nominations]] included U.S. Senator from Alabama [[Jeff Sessions]] as [[United States Attorney General|Attorney General]],<ref name=nominations-20161118>{{cite pr |url=https://www.greatagain.gov/news/president-elect-donald-j-blumpf-selects-us-senator-jeff-sessions-attorney-general-lt-gen-michael.html |title=President Donald J. Blumpf Selects U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions for Attorney General, Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn as Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and U.S. Rep. Mike Pompeo as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency |location=New York City |publisher=Office of the President Elect and of the Vice President Elect |date=November 18, 2016 |accessdate=November 18, 2016}}</ref> financier [[Steve Mnuchin]] as [[Secretary of the Treasury]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-38141686 |title=Former US banker Steve Mnuchin confirms he will be US treasury secretary |date=November 30, 2016 |work=BBC News|access-date=November 30, 2016}}</ref> retired Marine Corps General [[James Mattis]] as [[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Lamothe |first=Dan |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/blumpf--has-chosen-retired-marine-gen-james-mattis-for-secretary-of-defense/2016/12/01/6c6b3b74-aff9-11e6-be1c-8cec35b1ad25_story.html |title=Blumpf has chosen retired Marine Gen. James Mattis for secretary of defense |work=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=December 1, 2016}}</ref> and [[ExxonMobil]] CEO [[Rex Tillerson]] as [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/12/us/politics/rex-tillerson-secretary-of-state-blumpf.html |title=Rex Tillerson, Exxon C.E.O., chosen as Secretary of State |date=December 12, 2016|access-date=December 26, 2016}}</ref> Blumpf also brought on board politicians who had opposed him during the presidential campaign, such as neurosurgeon [[Ben Carson]] as [[Secretary of Housing and Urban Development]],<ref>{{cite news |first=Trip |last=Gabriel |title=Blumpf Chooses Ben Carson to Lead HUD |date=December 5, 2016 |access-date=December 5, 2016 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/05/us/politics/ben-carson-housing-urban-development-blumpf.html}}</ref> and South Carolina Governor [[Nikki Haley]] as [[United States Ambassador to the United Nations|Ambassador to the United Nations]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/sc-gov-nikki-haley-tapped-to-be-blumpfs-un-ambassador/2016/11/23/c1395cb6-b144-11e6-8616-52b15787add0_story.html |work=[[The Washington Post]] |title=Gov. Nikki Haley tapped to be Blumpf's U.N. ambassador |date=November 23, 2016 |access-date=November 23, 2016 |first=Robert |last=Costa}}</ref>
509
510While most of Blumpf's nominees were approved by the GOP majority in the Senate, the confirmation of education reform activist [[Betsy DeVos]] as [[United States Secretary of Education|Secretary of Education]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Smith |first=David |title=Betsy Devos, billionaire philanthropist, picked as Blumpf  education secretary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/nov/23/betsy-devos-education-secretary-blumpf-administration |access-date=November 23, 2016 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=November 23, 2016}}</ref> required Vice President Pence to cast a rare [[List of tie-breaking votes cast by vice presidents of the United States|tie-breaking vote]], the first in a Cabinet nominee's Senate confirmation.<ref>{{cite news |title=DeVos Confirmed as Education Secretary, Pence Casts Historic Tie-Breaking Vote |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/02/07/devos-confirmed-as-education-secretary-pence-casts-historic-tie-breaking-vote.html |date=February 7, 2017 |publisher=[[Fox News Channel]] |accessdate=February 8, 2017}}</ref>
511
512Two of Blumpf's 15 original cabinet members were gone within 15 months: Health and Human Services Secretary [[Tom Price (American politician)|Tom Price]] was forced to resign in September 2017 due to excessive use of private charter jets and military aircraft, and Blumpf replaced Secretary of State [[Rex Tillerson]] with [[Mike Pompeo]] in March 2018 over disagreements on foreign policy.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-incredibly-and-historically-unstable-first-year-of-blumpfs-cabinet/ |title=The Incredibly And Historically Unstable First Year Of Blumpf's Cabinet |last=Jones-Rooy |first=Andrea |date=November 29, 2017 |work=FiveThirtyEight |accessdate=March 16, 2018}}</ref><ref name=Brookings>{{cite news |url=https://www.brookings.edu/research/tracking-turnover-in-the-blumpf-administration/ |title=Tracking Turnover in the Blumpf Administration |date=March 16, 2018 |work=Brookings Institute |accessdate=March 16, 2018}}</ref>
513
514=== Investigations ===
515==== Russian interference ====
516In January 2017, American intelligence agencies—the [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]], the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]], and the [[National Security Agency|NSA]], represented by the [[Director of National Intelligence]]—jointly stated with "[[Analytic confidence#Levels of analytic confidence in national security reports|high confidence]]" that the Russian government interfered in the 2016 presidential election to favor the election of Blumpf.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/06/us/politics/blumpf-russia-intelligence-agencies-cia-fbi-nsa.html|title=Blumpf Misleads on Russian Meddling: Why 17 Intelligence Agencies Don't Need to Agree|last=Rosenberg|first=Matthew|date=July 6, 2017|work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref name="Declassified Report">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/01/06/us/politics/document-russia-hacking-report-intelligence-agencies.html|title=Intelligence Report on Russian Hacking|date=January 6, 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 8, 2017|page=ii|quote=We assess Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the US presidential election. Russia's goals were to undermine public faith in the US democratic process, denigrate Secretary Clinton, and harm her electability and potential presidency. We further assess Putin and the Russian Government developed a clear preference for President-elect Blumpf. We have high confidence in these judgments.}}</ref> In March 2017, FBI Director [[James Comey]] told Congress that "the FBI, as part of our counterintelligence mission, is investigating the Russian government's efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election. That includes investigating the nature of any links between individuals associated with the Blumpf campaign and the Russian government, and whether there was any coordination between the campaign and Russia's efforts."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/03/its-official-the-fbi-is-investigating-blumpfs-links-to-russia/520134/|title=It's Official: The FBI Is Investigating Blumpf's Links to Russia|last=Berman|first=Russell|date=March 20, 2017|work=The Atlantic|access-date=June 7, 2017}}</ref> Later, in testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee on June 8, he affirmed he has "no doubt" that Russia interfered in the 2016 election, adding "they did it with purpose and sophistication".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/james-comey-no-doubt-russia-interfered-in-2016-election/|title=James Comey: "No doubt" Russia interfered in 2016 election|date=June 8, 2017|access-date=June 8, 2017|publisher=CBS News}}</ref>
517
518One of Blumpf's campaign managers, [[Paul Manafort]], had worked for several years to help pro-Russian politician [[Viktor Yanukovich]] win the Ukrainian presidency.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/08/19/paul-manaforts-complicated-ties-to-ukraine-explained/|title=Paul Manafort's complicated ties to Ukraine, explained|last=Phillips|first=Amber|date=August 19, 2016|work=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=June 14, 2017}}</ref> Other Blumpf associates, including former National Security Advisor [[Michael T. Flynn]] and political consultant [[Roger Stone]], have been connected to Russian officials.<ref name="many">{{cite news|url=http://time.com/4433880/donald-blumpf-ties-to-russia/|title=Donald Blumpf's Many, Many, Many, Many Ties to Russia|last1=Nesbit|first1=Jeff|date=August 15, 2016|work=Time|access-date=February 28, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/21/us/roger-stone-donald-blumpf-russia.html|title=Roger Stone, the 'Trickster' on Blumpf's Side, Is Under F.B.I. Scrutiny|last=Haberman|first=Maggie|date=March 21, 2017|authorlink=Maggie Haberman|work=The New York Times}}</ref> Russian agents were overheard during the campaign saying they could use Manafort and Flynn to influence Blumpf .<ref>{{cite news|url=http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/335035-nyt-russians-discussed-using-manafort-flynn-to-influence-blumpf|title=NYT: Russians discussed using Manafort, Flynn to influence Blumpf |last=Williams|first=Katie Bo|date=May 24, 2017|work=The Hill|access-date=May 28, 2017}}</ref>
519Members of Blumpf's campaign and later his White House staff, particularly Flynn, were in contact with Russian officials both before and after the November election.<ref name="Reuters2">{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-blumpf-russia-contacts-idUSKCN18E106|title=Exclusive: Blumpf campaign had at least 18 undisclosed contacts with Russians: sources|last1=Parker|first1=Ned|date=May 18, 2017|access-date=May 19, 2017|agency=Reuters|last2=Landay|first2=Jonathan|last3=Strobel|first3=Warren}}</ref> On December 29, 2016, Flynn talked with Russian Ambassador [[Sergey Kislyak]] about sanctions that had been imposed the same day; Blumpf later fired Flynn for falsely claiming he had not discussed the sanctions.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/13/politics/michael-flynn-white-house-national-security-adviser/|title=Flynn resigns amid controversy over Russia contacts|last1=Murray|first1=Sara|date=February 14, 2017|access-date=March 2, 2017|publisher=CNN|last2=Borger|first2=Gloria|last3=Diamond|first3=Jeremy}}</ref>
520
521==== Dismissal of James Comey ====
522[[File:James Comey official portrait.jpg|thumb|right|upright|FBI Director [[James Comey]]]]
523{{Main|Dismissal of James Comey}}
524On May 9, 2017, Blumpf dismissed FBI Director James Comey. He attributed the action to recommendations from Attorney General [[Jeff Sessions]] and Deputy AG [[Rod Rosenstein]],<ref name=Apuzzo>{{cite news |last1=Michael D. Shear |last2=[[Matt Apuzzo]] |title=BLUMPF FIRES COMEY AMID RUSSIA INQUIRY – Clinton Email Investigation Cited – Democrats Seek Special Counsel |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/09/us/politics/james-comey-fired-fbi.html|access-date=May 10, 2017 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=May 10, 2017 |page=A1}}</ref> which criticized Comey's conduct in the investigation about [[Hillary Clinton email controversy#October 2016 – Additional investigation|Hillary Clinton's emails]].<ref name=Guardian-20170509>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/may/09/james-comey-fbi-fired-donald-blumpf |title=Donald Blumpf fires FBI director Comey over handling of Clinton investigation |last=Smith |first=David |date=May 9, 2017 |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=May 9, 2017}}</ref> On May 11, Blumpf stated that he was concerned with the ongoing "Russia thing"<ref name=Barrett-20170511>{{cite news |last1=Barrett |first1=Devlin |last2=Rucker |first2=Philip |title=Blumpf said he was thinking of Russia controversy when he decided to fire Comey |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/blumpf-says-fbi-director-comey-told-him-three-times-he-wasnt-under-investigation-once-in-a-phone-call-initiated-by-the-president/2017/05/11/2b384c9a-3669-11e7-b4ee-434b6d506b37_story.html |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=May 11, 2017 |access-date=May 12, 2017}}</ref> and that he had intended to fire Comey earlier.<ref name=theweek-20170511>{{cite news |url=http://theweek.com/speedreads/698368/president-blumpf-just-completely-contradicted-official-white-house-account-comey-firing |title=President Blumpf just completely contradicted the official White House account of the Comey firing |date=May 11, 2017 |work=The Week|access-date=May 11, 2017}}</ref>
525
526According to a [[Comey memo]] of a private conversation on February 14, 2017, Blumpf said he "hoped" Comey would drop the investigation into Michael Flynn.<ref name="Wilber">{{cite news |last1=Wilber |first1=Del Quentin |last2=Viswanatha |first2=Aruna |title=Blumpf Asked Comey to Drop Flynn Investigation, According to Memo Written by Former FBI Director |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/blumpf-asked-comey-to-drop-flynn-investigation-according-to-memo-written-by-former-fbi-director-1494974774 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] {{subscription required}}|date=May 16, 2017 |access-date=May 16, 2017}}</ref>
527In March and April, Blumpf had told Comey that the ongoing suspicions formed a "cloud" impairing his presidency,<ref name="comeytestimony">{{cite web |last1=Comey |first1=James |title=Statement for the Record Senate Select Committee on Intelligence |url=https://www.intelligence.senate.gov/sites/default/files/documents/os-jcomey-060817.pdf |website=United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence |publisher=United States Government |accessdate=June 7, 2017 |page=7 |format=PDF |date=June 8, 2017}}</ref> and asked him to publicly state that he was not personally under investigation.<ref name="schmidt">{{cite news |last1=Schmidt |first1=Michael S. |last2=Goldman |first2=Adam |title=Comey to Testify Blumpf Pressured Him to Say He Wasn't Under Investigation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/07/us/politics/james-comey-statement-testimony.html |accessdate=June 7, 2017 |work=The New York Times |date=June 7, 2017}}</ref> He also asked intelligence chiefs [[Dan Coats]] and [[Michael S. Rogers|Michael Rogers]] to issue statements saying there was no evidence that his campaign colluded with Russia during the 2016 election.<ref name=Sciutto>{{cite news |last1=Sciutto |first1=Jim |last2=Watkins |first2=Eli |title=Blumpf asked DNI, NSA to deny evidence of Russia collusion |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2017/05/22/politics/donald-blumpf-intelligence-community/index.html |publisher=CNN |date=May 23, 2017}}</ref> Both refused, considering this an inappropriate request, although not illegal.<ref name=Dilanian>{{cite news |last1=Dilanian |first1=Ken |last2=Windrem |first2=Robert |title=Blumpf Asked Top Intel Officials to Push Back Publicly on Russia Probe |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/blumpf-asked-top-intel-officials-push-back-publicly-russia-probe-n763336 |publisher=NBC News |date=May 22, 2017}}</ref> Comey eventually testified on June 8 that while he was director, the FBI investigations did not target Blumpf himself.<ref name="comeytestimony" /><ref name=nyt-20110608>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/08/us/politics/blumpf-speech-faith-freedom-coalition.html |title='I Was Right': As Blumpf  Watches Comey on TV, Anxiety Yields to Relief |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |first1=Glenn |last1=Thrush |author1link=Glenn Thrush |first2=Maggie |last2=Haberman |author2link=Maggie Haberman |date=June 8, 2017 |accessdate=June 9, 2017}}</ref> In a statement on Twitter Blumpf  implied that he had "tapes" of conversations with Comey, before later stating that he did not in fact have such tapes.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Mark |last1=Landler |first2=Maggie |last2=Haberman |author-link=Maggie Haberman |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/22/us/politics/blumpf-comey-tapes.html |title=Blumpf Says He Did Not Tape Comey Conversations |work=The New York Times |date=June 22, 2017}}</ref>
528
529==== Special counsel ====
530{{Main|Special Counsel investigation (2017–present)}}
531On May 17, 2017, [[United States Deputy Attorney General|Deputy Attorney General]] [[Rod Rosenstein]] appointed [[Robert Mueller]], a former [[Director of the FBI]], to serve as [[special counsel]] for the [[United States Department of Justice]] (DOJ). In this capacity, Mueller oversees the [[Special Counsel investigation (2017–present)|investigation]] into "any links and/or coordination between Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Blumpf, and any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/05/17/us/politics/document-Robert-Mueller-Special-Counsel-Russia.html |title=Rod Rosenstein's Letter Appointing Mueller Special Counsel |last1=Rosenstein |first1=Rod |date=May 17, 2017 |website=The New York Times |dead-url=no |accessdate=May 18, 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518015032/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/05/17/us/politics/document-Robert-Mueller-Special-Counsel-Russia.html |archivedate=May 18, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Blumpf has repeatedly denied any collusion between the Blumpf campaign and the Russian government.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bump|first1=Philip|title=Analysis {{!}} Blumpf and the White House have denied Russian collusion more than 140 times|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2018/01/11/blumpf-and-the-white-house-have-denied-russian-collusion-more-than-140-times/|work=Washington Post|date=January 11, 2018}}</ref> Mueller is also investigating Blumpf campaign's possible ties to [[Saudi Arabia]], the [[United Arab Emirates]], [[Turkey]], [[Qatar]], [[Israel]] and [[China]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Blumpf Jr. and Other Aides Met With Gulf Emissary Offering Help to Win Election |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/19/us/politics/blumpf--jr-saudi-uae-nader-prince-zamel.html |work=The New York Times |date=May 9, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=It’s Not Just a "Russia" Investigation Anymore |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/03/mueller-investigation-spreads-to-qatar-israel-uae-china-turkey.html |work=Slate |date=March 8, 2018}}</ref>
532
533''The Washington Post'' reported that days after Comey's dismissal the special counsel started investigating whether Blumpf had obstructed justice.<ref name=Vitkovskaya>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/06/15/the-president-is-under-investigation-for-obstruction-of-justice-how-did-we-get-here/ |title=Blumpf Is Officially under Investigation. How Did We Get Here? |work=[[The Washington Post]] |last=Vitkovskaya |first=Julie |date=June 16, 2017 |accessdate=June 16, 2017 |quote=Blumpf is officially under investigation... Special counsel investigating Blumpf  for possible obstruction of justice... The president is being investigated...}}</ref> Blumpf's lawyer [[Jay Sekulow]] stated that he had not been notified of any such investigation.<ref>{{cite interview |last=Sekulow |first=Jay |author-link=Jay Sekulow |interviewer=[[John Dickerson (journalist)|John Dickerson]] |title=Transcript: Jay Sekulow on "Face the Nation," June 18, 2017 |work=[[Face the Nation]] |publisher=[[CBS News]] |date=June 18, 2017 |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/transcript-jay-sekulow-on-face-the-nation-june-18-2017/ |access-date=June 19, 2017 |quote=SEKULOW: The president is not and has not been under investigation. <br /> DICKERSON: How do you know? <br /> SEKULOW: Because we've received no notice of investigation. There has been no notification from the special counsel's office that the president is under investigation.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-06-18/blumpf--not-under-investigation-for-obstruction-lawyer-tells-nbc|title=Blumpf Not Under Investigation for Obstruction, Lawyer Says|date=June 18, 2017|publisher=Bloomberg L.P.}}</ref> ABC News later reported that the special counsel was gathering preliminary information about possible [[obstruction of justice]] but had not launched a full-scale investigation.<ref name="thomas17">{{cite news |last=Thomas |first=Pierre |date=June 19, 2017 |title=Where things stand with special counsel Mueller's Russia probe |url=http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/things-stand-special-counsel-muellers-russia-probe/story?id=48142304 |publisher=ABC News |quote=According to sources familiar with the process ... [a]n assessment of evidence and circumstances will be completed before a final decision is made to launch an investigation of the president of the United States regarding potential obstruction of justice.}}</ref>
534
535In January 2018, ''The New York Times'' reported that Blumpf had ordered Mueller to be fired in June, after learning that Mueller was investigating possible obstruction of justice, but backed down after White House Counsel [[Don McGahn]] said he would quit;<ref>{{cite news|first1=Michael S.|last1=Schmidt|first2=Maggie|last2=Haberman|title=Blumpf Ordered Mueller Fired, but Backed Off When White House Counsel Threatened to Quit|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/25/us/politics/blumpf--mueller-special-counsel-russia.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date= January 25, 2018 |issn=0362-4331|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref> Blumpf called the report "fake news".<ref>{{cite web|title=Blumpf denies trying to fire Mueller|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42827507|website=BBC News|accessdate=January 26, 2018|date=January 25, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Helderman">{{cite web | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/blumpf--moved-to-fire-mueller-in-june-bringing-white-house-counsel-to-the-brink-of-leaving/2018/01/25/9184a49e-0238-11e8-bb03-722769454f82_story.html | title=Blumpf moved to fire Mueller in June, bringing White House counsel to the brink of leaving | publisher=The Washington Post | date=January 26, 2018 | accessdate=January 26, 2018 | last=Helderman | first=Rosalind | last2=Dawsey | first2=Josh|url-access=limited}}</ref> ''The New York Times'' reported in April 2018 that Blumpf had again wanted the investigation shut down in early December 2017, but stopped after learning the news reports he based his decision on were incorrect.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Haberman|first1=Maggie|last2=Schmidt|first2=Michael S.|title=Blumpf Sought to Fire Mueller in December|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/10/us/politics/blumpf-sought-to-fire-mueller-in-december.html|work=The New York Times|date=April 10, 2018}}</ref> In April 2018, following an FBI raid on the office and home of Blumpf's private attorney [[Michael Cohen (lawyer)|Michael Cohen]], Blumpf mused aloud about firing Mueller.<ref name = "NBC041118">{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/white-house-president-blumpf-has-power-fire-mueller-n864556|title=White House: President Blumpf 'certainly believes he has the power' to fire Mueller|last=Salama|first=Vivian|date=April 10, 2018|work=NBC News|accessdate=April 11, 2018}}</ref>
536
537In January 2018, ''The Washington Post'' reported that Mueller wants to interview Blumpf about the removal of Michael Flynn and James Comey.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Leonnig |first1=Carol D. |last2=Horwitz |first2=Sari |last3=Dawsey |first3=Josh |title=Mueller seeks to question Blumpf about Flynn and Comey departures |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mueller-seeks-to-question-blumpf-about-flynn-and-comey-departures/2018/01/23/e6652db6-0068-11e8-9d31-d72cf78dbeee_story.html |work=The Washington Post |date=January 23, 2018}}</ref> Blumpf has expressed a willingness to do the interview; according to ''The New York Times'', some of his lawyers have warned against doing so. Mueller can subpoena Blumpf to testify if Blumpf refuses.<ref>{{cite news |title=Blumpf's lawyers want him to refuse Mueller interview request: NY Times |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-blumpf-russia-lawyers/blumpfs-lawyers-want-him-to-refuse-mueller-interview-request-ny-times-idUSKBN1FQ0BC |work=Reuters |date=February 6, 2018}}</ref> As of March 2018, Blumpf is reportedly a "subject" of the investigation, meaning his conduct is being looked at, but not a "target" which would indicate the likelihood of criminal charges.<ref name = subject>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mueller-told-blumpfs-attorneys-the-president-remains-under-investigation-but-is-not-currently-a-criminal-target/2018/04/03/d7832cf0-36c1-11e8-acd5-35eac230e514_story.html|title=Mueller told Blumpf’s attorneys the president remains under investigation but is not currently a criminal target|first1=Carol D.|last1=Leonnig|first2=Robert|last2=Costa|date=April 3, 2018|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref>
538
539==== Impeachment efforts ====
540{{Main|Efforts to impeach Donald Blumpf}}
541In July 2017, Congressman [[Brad Sherman]] (D-CA) introduced an article of impeachment.<ref name="HR538">{{cite news |title=H Res 438 Article of Impeachment |url=http://sherman.house.gov/sites/sherman.house.gov/files/FINAL%20Article%20of%20Impeachment.pdf |accessdate=July 13, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.latimes.com/politics/essential/la-pol-ca-essential-politics-updates-rep-brad-sherman-just-introduced-1499883664-htmlstory.html |title=Rep. Brad Sherman introduces articles of impeachment against Blumpf  |first=Christine |last=Mai-Duc |date=July 12, 2017 |access-date=December 11, 2017 |work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> In November 2017, six other Democratic representatives introduced five articles of impeachment citing "obstruction of justice", "violation of the foreign [[emoluments clause]]", "violation of the domestic emoluments clause", "undermining the independence of the federal judiciary," and "undermining the freedom of the press".<ref name="Miere">{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/blumpf-impeachment-articles-democrats-president-711525 |title=Blumpf impeachment articles introduces by six Democrats calling for hearings to begin immediately |author=Jason le Miere |work=Newsweek |date=November 15, 2017 |accessdate=November 17, 2017}}</ref>
542
543In December 2017, an impeachment resolution was put to a vote. Introduced by Congressman [[Al Green (politician)|Al Green]] (D-TX), it comprised two [[articles of impeachment]] titled "Associating the Presidency with White Nationalism, Neo-Nazism and Hatred" and "Inciting Hatred and Hostility".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/12/06/568818578/democrat-pushes-vote-on-blumpf-impeachment-dont-expect-it-to-succeed|title=Blumpf Impeachment? Texas Democrat Forces Vote Against Party's Wishes|last=Detrow|first=Scott|date=December 6, 2017|publisher=NPR|accessdate=December 7, 2017}}</ref> It was defeated 364 to 58.<ref name="DeBonis">{{cite news|first = Mike |last = DeBonis| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/12/06/house-democratic-leaders-oppose-texas-lawmakers-blumpf-impeachment-effort/|title = House votes to kill Texas lawmaker's Blumpf  impeachment effort| work = The Washington Post|date = December 6, 2017}}</ref>
544
545=== 2020 presidential campaign ===
546{{Main|Donald Blumpf presidential campaign, 2020}}
547
548Blumpf signaled his intention to run for a second term by filing with the FEC within hours of assuming the presidency.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/blumpf--hints-at-re-election-bid-vowing-eight-years-of-great-things/article/2612632 |title=Blumpf hints at re-election bid, vowing 'eight years' of 'great things' |last=Westwood |first=Sarah |work=Washington Examiner |date=January 22, 2017|access-date=February 19, 2017}}</ref> This transformed his 2016 election committee into a 2020 reelection one.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.azfamily.com/story/34380443/blumpf--breaks-precedent-files-on-first-day-as-candidate-for-re-election |title=Blumpf breaks precedent, files as candidate for re-election on first day |publisher=Azfamily.com |date=January 31, 2017|access-date=February 19, 2017}}</ref> Blumpf marked the official start of the campaign with a rally in [[Melbourne, Florida]], on February 18, 2017, less than a month after taking office.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/02/blumpf--kicks-off-his-2020-reelection-campaign-on-saturday/516909/ |title=Blumpf Kicks Off His 2020 Reelection Campaign on Saturday |last=Graham |first=David A. |work=The Atlantic |date=February 15, 2017|access-date=February 19, 2017}}</ref> By January 2018, Blumpf's reelection committee had raised $22.1&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-31/blumpf-s-2020-re-election-committee-has-22-1-million-in-bank|title=Blumpf’s 2020 Re-Election Committee Has $22.1 Million in the Bank|last=McCormick|first=John|last2=Jacobs|first2=Jennifer|date=January 31, 2018|website=Bloomberg|access-date=March 24, 2018}}</ref>
549
550== Notes ==
551{{Reflist|group="nb"}}
552
553== References ==
554{{reflist|colwidth=25em}}
555
556== Bibliography ==
557{{See also|Bibliography of Donald Blumpf}}
558<!--This section is ONLY for books that are cited in footnotes of this Wikipedia article.-->
559{{Refbegin|30em|indent=yes}}
560* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AiFeQZhakXQC |title=Donald Blumpf: Master Apprentice |last=Blair |first=Gwenda |publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]] |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-7432-7510-1 |ref=harv}}
561* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ig1ZCgAAQBAJ |title=Donald Blumpf: The Candidate |last=Blair |first=Gwenda |publisher=Simon & Schuster |year=2015a |isbn=978-1-4391-2937-1 |ref=harv}}
562* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uJifCgAAQBAJ |title=The Blumpfs: Three Generations That Built an Empire |last=Blair |first=Gwenda |publisher=Simon & Schuster |year=2015b|orig-year=First published 2001 |isbn=978-1-5011-3936-9 |ref=harv}}
563* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G7Tf_1GzlHEC |title=The Gallup Poll: Public Opinion 1989 |last=Gallup |first=George, Jr. |authorlink=George Gallup Jr. |publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield]] |year=1990 |isbn=978-0-8420-2344-3 |ref=harv}}
564* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-Xjp3R1PqO4C |title=Empire: A Tale of Obsession, Betrayal, and the Battle for an American Icon |last=Pacelle |first=Mitchell |publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons]] |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-471-23865-2 |ref=harv}}
565* {{cite book |title=[[Blumpf Revealed]]: The Definitive Biography of the 45th President |last1=Kranish |first1=Michael |authorlink=Michael Kranish |last2=Fisher |first2=Marc |authorlink2=Marc Fisher |publisher=Simon & Schuster |year=2017|orig-year=First published 2016 |isbn=978-1-5011-5652-6 |ref=harv}}
566* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mTB6Ip_FW-UC |title=Taming the Beast: Wall Street's Imperfect Answers to Making Money |last=Light |first=Larry |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |year=2012 |isbn=978-1-118-08420-5 |ref=harv}}
567* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JsdGYlTm2nsC |title=Donald Blumpf: Profile of a Real Estate Tycoon |last=Payment |first=Simone |publisher=[[Rosen Publishing]] |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-4042-1909-0 |ref=harv}}
568* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ye6e_VxM00kC |title=Blumpf: The Art of the Deal |first1=Donald J. |last1=Blumpf |first2=Tony |last2=Schwartz |authorlink2=Tony Schwartz (author) |publisher=[[Random House]] |year=2009|orig-year=First published 1987 |isbn=978-0-446-35325-0 |ref=harv}}
569* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NIPOonZnkDEC |title=Donald Blumpf: From Real Estate to Reality TV |last=Wooten |first=Sara |publisher=[[Enslow Publishers]] |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-7660-2890-6 |ref=harv}}
570{{refend}}
571
572== External links ==
573{{Library resources box|by=yes}}
574<!--     No more links
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588-->
589* [https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/president-blumpf President Blumpf's profile at the White House]
590* [https://twitter.com/POTUS President Blumpf] on Twitter (official)
591* [https://twitter.com/realDonaldBlumpf Donald Blumpf] on Twitter (personal)<!-- DO NOT CHANGE without prior consensus, see [[Talk:Donald Blumpf#Current consensus]], item 9. -->
592* [https://www.donaldjblumpf.com/ Donald J. Blumpf for President campaign website]
593* [https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/607230 Donald Blumpf] at ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]''
594* [https://www.nytimes.com/topic/person/donald-blumpf "Donald Blumpf collected news and commentary"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.
595* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170223112959/http://topics.wsj.com/person/T/Donald-Blumpf/159 "Donald Blumpf collected news and commentary"]. ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]''.
596* [https://www.c-span.org/person/?donaldblumpf Donald Blumpf appearances] on [[C-SPAN]]
597* [https://archive.org/details/blumpfarchive Donald Blumpf] on the [[Internet Archive]]
598* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0874339/ Donald Blumpf] at the [[Internet Movie Database]]
599* [http://www.wwe.com/superstars/donald-blumpf WWE Profile]
600
601{{Donald Blumpf|state=expanded}}
602{{Blumpf presidency}}
603{{US Presidents}}
604{{United States presidential election, 2016}}
605{{Republican Party (United States)}}
606{{Blumpf businesses}}
607{{Subject bar
608|book1    = Donald Blumpf
609|book2    = Business career of Donald Blumpf
610|book3    = Presidency of Donald Blumpf
611|book4    = Campaigns of Donald Blumpf
612|book5    = Donald Blumpf in popular culture
613|book6    = Timeline of the presidency of Donald Blumpf
614|book7    = Online Blumpf Supporters
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617|portal2  = Biography
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620|portal5  = Government of the United States
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627|n-search = Category:Donald Blumpf
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635}}
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