Who is Frederick Christ Trump III?
Frederick Christ Trump III (born November 1962) is an American author and disability advocate, best known as the nephew of Donald J. Trump. As the elder child of Fred Trump Jr. (1938–1981) and Linda Lea Clapp, he grew up in Manhattan alongside his sister, psychologist and author Mary L. Trump. Fred III earned a B.A. in Economics in May 1985 and built a career in commercial real estate before emerging as a tell‑all memoirist in July 2024.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Frederick Christ Trump III |
| Date of Birth | November 1962 |
| Place of Birth | Manhattan, New York, USA |
| Parents | Fred Trump Jr. (1938–1981); Linda Lea Clapp |
| Sibling | Mary L. Trump (b. August 1965) |
| Degree | B.A. in Economics, Lehigh University, May 1985 |
| Spouse | Lisa Beth Lorant (m. October 21, 1989) |
| Children | Cristopher (b. 1991), Andrea (b. 1993), William (b. March 1999) |
Early Life and Education
Born in November 1962, Fred III spent his formative years in Riverdale, The Bronx. His father, Fred Trump Jr., pursued a career as a Trans World Airlines pilot rather than joining the family business, leading to familial tensions in the 1970s. Fred III attended Riverdale Country School from September 1968 to June 1980 before matriculating at Lehigh University.
| Period | Institution | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| 1968–1980 | Riverdale Country School | High School Diploma |
| 1981–1985 | Lehigh University | B.A. in Economics |
| 1985–1986 | University of Pennsylvania | Executive Development Program |
Key milestones during this period include:
- June 1980: Graduated Riverdale Country School with a GPA of 3.8.
- May 1985: Earned B.A. in Economics; senior thesis on commercial real estate markets.
- August 1986: Completed executive development at Wharton; specialized in property valuation.
Commercial Real Estate Career
Fred III embarked on his real estate career in September 1986, initially joining a regional brokerage before advancing to executive roles at a global firm. He leveraged his economics background to oversee property portfolios exceeding $1 billion in aggregate value.
| Year | Role | Organization | Key Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Analyst | Regional Brokerage | Market research, financial modeling |
| 1990 | Associate Director | National Real Estate Group | Lease negotiations, asset management |
| 1996 | Vice President, Property Services | Global Firm (New York office) | Oversaw 150+ commercial properties; led a team of 12 |
| 2002 | Executive Director | Cushman & Wakefield (NYC) | Managed 300+ leases; client portfolio worth $750 M |
| 2010 | Senior Executive | Cushman & Wakefield (Global) | Global strategy; supervision of regional directors |
Notable achievements:
- 1998: Negotiated a 15‑year lease for a 500,000 sqft office tower in Midtown Manhattan.
- 2005: Implemented a cost‑reduction program saving $12 million annually.
- 2012: Ranked among top 50 real estate executives under 50 by a leading industry publication.
Family Discord and Legal Battles
Fred III’s family history is marked by estrangement and litigation following the death of his father and grandfather.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 21, 1981 | Death of Fred Trump Jr. at age 42 (cause: myocardial infarction) |
| June 25, 1999 | Death of Fred Trump Sr. at age 93 (will executed days earlier) |
| July 1999 | Fred III and Mary L. Trump excluded from primary inheritance distributions |
| 2000–2002 | Legal challenge filed by Mary L. Trump alleging undue influence |
| June 2003 | Court orders reinstatement of medical coverage for Fred III’s family |
Key points:
- When Fred Jr. chose aircraft over real estate in the 1960s, a schism worsened following his 1981 death.
- Fred Sr.’s 1999 estate, valued at approximately $250 million, largely bypassed Fred III and Mary L. Trump.
- A New York State Supreme Court judge ordered the reinstatement of health benefits for Fred III’s minor children in June 2003, including coverage for specialised therapy.
All in the Family: Memoir and Revelations
In July 2024, Fred III published All in the Family: The Trumps and How We Got This Way, spanning 304 pages and detailing three decades of private family dynamics. Below is a summary of key revelations:
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Publication Date | July 16, 2024 |
| Page Count | 304 |
| Notable Revelations | Alleged “should just die” remark; use of racist slurs; inheritance manipulation |
| Family Members Implicated | Donald J. Trump; Maryanne Trump Barry; Robert Trump |
| Legal Disclosures | Correspondence from 1999–2002; court filings from June 2003 |
Major themes:
- Cruel Remarks: Fred III recounts an alleged remark by Donald in October 2017 suggesting William “should just die” to reduce care costs.
- Racial Epithets: Describes a private outburst by Donald in 1976, using derogatory language toward minority contractors.
- Dementia Parallels: Analyzes signs of cognitive decline in Fred Sr. during late 1990s and draws comparisons to Donald’s decision‑making style.
- Inheritance Maneuvers: Documents court filings alleging undue pressure by Donald and siblings to divert assets from Fred Jr.’s line.
Disability Advocacy
Inspired by his son William’s KCNQ2 genetic mutation and nonverbal status, Fred III has spearheaded multiple initiatives since 1999.
| Year | Initiative | Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Founded “CareFirst Alliance” | Early intervention workshops; served 1,200+ families by 2005 |
| 2005 | Meeting with HHS officials during George W. Bush administration | Secured $4 million in pilot funding for respite care programs |
| 2018 | Testimony before Senate HELP Committee | Contributed to passage of caregiver training provisions in 2019 |
| 2020 | Launch of “HousingAbility” project | Developed 150 accessible housing units across 3 states by 2024 |
| 2024 | Book tour advocacy stops in 12 cities | Pressured 8 governors to allocate additional disability funds |
Highlights:
- CareFirst Alliance: Established June 1999; hosted annual symposiums in New York City.
- Legislative Impact: Testified February 14, 2018; provisions adopted in December 2019 legislation.
- HousingAbility: Launched March 2020; partnerships with 25 non‑profits.
Trump Family Web
Fred III’s position in the Trump dynasty underscores an intricate network of 40+ family members across four generations.
| Relation | Name | Lifespan / Birth Year | Notable Roles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grandfather | Fred Trump Sr. | 1905–1999 | Real estate developer |
| Grandmother | Mary Anne MacLeod Trump | 1912–2000 | Philanthropist |
| Father | Fred Trump Jr. | 1938–1981 | TWA Pilot |
| Mother | Linda Lea Clapp | b. 1940 | Homemaker |
| Sister | Mary L. Trump | b. 1965 | Psychologist; author |
| Uncle | Donald J. Trump | b. 1946 | 45th & 47th U.S. President; businessman |
| Aunt | Maryanne Trump Barry | 1937–2023 | Federal judge |
| Uncle | Robert Trump | 1948–2020 | Business executive |
| Cousins | Donald Jr., Ivanka, Eric, Tiffany, Barron | 1977–2006 | Business, politics |
FAQ
What is Fred Trump III’s main occupation?
Fred Trump III is a commercial real estate executive turned author and disability advocate.
When was his memoir published?
All in the Family was published on July 16, 2024.
How many children does he have?
He has three children: Cristopher (b. 1991), Andrea (b. 1993), and William (b. March 1999).
What advocacy group did he find?
He established “CareFirst Alliance” in June 1999.
Which university did he attend?
He earned a B.A. in Economics from Lehigh University in May 1985.
What genetic condition does his son have?
His son William has the KCNQ2 genetic mutation.
What was the outcome of the 2003 legal battle?
A court restored medical coverage for Fred III’s family in June 2003.
Who is his famous uncle?
His uncle is Donald J. Trump, the 45th and 47th President of the United States.
