'What kind of son have I created?': A look at Donald Trump's relationship with his mother Mary on Mother's Day

On his first day back in the White House, President Donald Trump made a personal statement through the décor of the Oval Office, filling it with sentimental items that spoke to his deep family ties. As he signed a series of executive orders just hours after taking the oath of office, the Resolute Desk became the backdrop for framed family portraits and meaningful memorabilia. Among the items on display were photographs of his parents, Mary Anne and Fred Trump, whose influence shaped his journey into the real estate world. These images, nestled alongside a collection of challenge coins and military insignia, offered a glimpse into the president’s personal history and the legacy of those who helped guide him to power. His father, who died in 1999, and his mother, who passed away in 2000, are both prominently featured in this intimate arrangement, reflecting a side of the president not often seen in the corridors of power.
A Less Examined Influence
For years, Donald Trump has frequently spoken about the profound impact his father had on his life. Fred Trump, a tough and ambitious real estate developer, pushed his son hard, leaving an indelible mark on his personality and success. In his 2007 book Think Big, Trump wrote, “That’s why I’m so screwed up, because I had a father that pushed me pretty hard.” In contrast, Mary Trump has often been depicted in a more passive light, a quiet, devoted housewife who fulfilled her role without imposing much influence on her son’s ambitious nature. However, such a portrayal risks oversimplifying her role in shaping Donald Trump.

Mary Trump: A Woman of ResilienceMary Anne MacLeod, born in 1912 on the rugged Isle of Lewis in Scotland, grew up in an environment marked by poverty and hardship. The youngest of ten children, her early life was shaped by the challenges of subsistence farming and the impact of World War I, which devastated the local male population. At the age of 18, Mary emigrated to America, seeking better opportunities than those available in her isolated Scottish hometown.

She arrived in New York in 1930 and worked as a domestic servant before marrying Fred Trump in 1936. The couple settled in the affluent neighbourhood of Jamaica Estates in Queens, where Mary quickly adapted to the role of a supportive housewife. While Fred Trump focused on building his real estate empire, Mary managed their household and became known for her social gatherings and occasional charity work. Despite this, her son, Donald, would later recall that his mother “wanted me to be happy,” but that she did not play as active a role in shaping his business ventures or ambitions as his father did.

A Complex Dynamic
During the late 1980s, as Donald Trump’s very public divorce from Ivana Trump unfolded and his affair with Marla Maples made tabloid headlines, his mother, Mary Anne MacLeod Trump, was reportedly mortified by her son’s conduct. According to a Vanity Fair account, she once turned to Ivana and asked plaintively, “What kind of son have I created?”

Donald Trump’s relationship with his mother, though less visible, was undoubtedly shaped by moments of emotional tension. One key event was Mary’s near-death experience after complications from childbirth when Donald was just a toddler. This traumatic episode may have had a deep psychological impact on the young boy, as he was at an age when children begin to form a stronger sense of independence from their mothers. Psychologists suggest that disruptions in the maternal bond at this stage can lead to emotional insecurities that later manifest in attention-seeking behaviour.

While Fred Trump’s influence was marked by stern discipline and a focus on achievement, Mary Trump’s role seems to have been more about creating a sense of stability, even if she wasn’t as directly involved in her son’s professional pursuits. As his biographers note, the absence of a strong emotional connection with Mary may have contributed to Donald Trump’s reliance on his father’s approval and guidance, while his mother remained a more peripheral figure in his life.