Donald Trump has become president on two separate dates: January 20, 2017 (his first term, as the 45th president) and January 20, 2025 (his second, nonconsecutive term, now as the 47th president).

Key dates at a glance

  • First became president: January 20, 2017, after winning the 2016 election.
  • Left first term: January 20, 2021.
  • Became president again: January 20, 2025, after winning the 2024 election.

So if someone asks “when did Donald Trump become president,” the historically complete answer is that he first took office on January 20, 2017, and then returned to office on January 20, 2025.