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Donald Trump’s presidency in pictures: Key moments from meeting Kim Jong-Un to US Capitol riots

 (AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)

The US is just hours away from saying goodbye to President Donald J Trump.

The country’s 45th leader will hand over the mantle to Joe Biden after four explosive years in charge.

Since his inauguration on January 20, 2017, when he pledged to “make America great again”, Mr Trump has divided opinion across both his homeland and the world.

This collection of images, collated by the Standard, offers a snapshot of some of his most memorable moments of his time as the most powerful man on Earth.

Mr Trump’s arrival on the global political stage sparked controversy from day one, as international media speculated over what his “America first” approach would mean for the nation’s friends, as well as its foes.

As the former reality TV star settled into his new role over the ensuing months, he and his family became a growing source of fascination and disquiet in equal measure.

Donald Trump poses with his family after formally announcing his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination in June 2015Reuters
Donald Trump poses with his family after formally announcing his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination in June 2015Reuters

Many a mockery was made of his self-adulation and “orange” perma-tanned skin, while more serious critics questioned his motives behind offering close members of the Trump dynasty senior roles within his administration.

The president’s interactions with other world leaders inevitably grabbed headlines, with British media in particular seizing on his hand-in-hand stroll with the then Prime Minister Theresa May.

Theresa May Donald Trump walk along The Colonnade of the West Wing at The White House on January 27, 2017Getty Images
Theresa May Donald Trump walk along The Colonnade of the West Wing at The White House on January 27, 2017Getty Images

Britons rallied in outrage at Mr Trump’s first visit to the country, launching a giant “Baby Trump” blimp into London’s summer skies in protest.

Meanwhile, his wife Melania’s wardrobe choices fuelled numerous heated debates, most notably when she donned a jacket to visit a migrant child detention centre emblazoned with: “I really don’t care, do you?”

Melania Trump wore the controversial Zara jacket for a flight to TexasREUTERS
Melania Trump wore the controversial Zara jacket for a flight to TexasREUTERS

From there came budding friendships with Nigel Farage and Mrs May’s successor Boris Johnson and love-hate relationships with the likes of Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-Un. In July 2019, Mr Trump became the first sitting president to cross into North Korea, describing it as a “great honour”.

He also engaged in a series of clashes with environment activist Greta Thunberg and his compatriot House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Nancy Pelosi displays a signed an article of impeachment against Donald Trump – making him the first president in history to be impeached twiceGetty Images
Nancy Pelosi displays a signed an article of impeachment against Donald Trump – making him the first president in history to be impeached twiceGetty Images

His final year in the White House threw up whole new levels of challenge for the president, with Black Lives Matter marches and the coronavirus pandemic changing the political landscape for good.

But Mr Trump’s time in office ended on the darkest possible note, as protesters marched on Washington in a violent bid to thwart the peaceful transition of power.

An explosion caused by a police munition is seen as Trump supporters gather in front of the iconic Capitol buildingREUTERS
An explosion caused by a police munition is seen as Trump supporters gather in front of the iconic Capitol buildingREUTERS

In his inaugural speech, Mr Trump acknowledged that he and his fellow citizens would “confront hardships” but insisted that “American carnage stops right here and stops right now.”

However, deadly storming of the US Capitol building on January 6 proved that “carnage” in the can still flourish without strong and unifying leadership.

It is now up to Mr Biden to bring the people of the United States together and, to use Mr Trump’s words from 2017, “get the job done”.

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